Beautiful Journey of Barbie

Ashley | 07 - 30 - 2023

Barbie! What is the first thing you can imagine when you hear the name? Maybe a pinky-pinky figure with long legs, a well-groomed doll, or a supermodel who never exist on the actual planet? Yeah, you got it right! Here are some of the highlights of iconic Barbie dolls. 

Barbie’s Career throughout the Years

Yes! Barbie is not just a toy to play with. She is a broader representation of race, body type, and careers over the years. Over her existence she had more than 250 careers, she broke the plastic wall and visited the moon before even Neil Armstrong did. From Doctor to President she did her best. She can be anything!

Even though Barbie is featured in many shades and styles her signature pink color has a huge fanbase and made a myth that pink is a girly color! Of course, without any doubt, she looks great in pink. 

What is the signature color associated with Barbie?
  • A. Blue
  • B. Yellow
  • C. Pink
  • D. Green

Picture of Barbie

The First-Ever Barbie

Barbie hit on the shelves of the American Toy Market in March 1959 featuring red lipstick, a black-and-white striped outfit, a signature ponytail, and blonde hair. Over 1 billion Barbies are sold worldwide since her launch in 1959. In recent years, Barbie has continued to be a successful brand, with sales of dolls and accessories reaching $1.35 billion in 2020, marking their best sales growth in two decades. 

History of Barbie

Ruth Handler co-founded the toy manufacturing company “Mattel” with her husband in 1945. She was the one to create the iconic Barbie dolls. Ruth came up with the idea after seeing her younger daughter ignore her other toys to play with paper dolls of adult women. She named the doll Barbie after her younger daughter Barbara. 

The Year of Ken

In 1961 Handler introduced Ken as Barbie’s boyfriend to the world. Throughout the years, Ken has evolved in terms of his appearance, fashion, and career choices. He has held over 40 occupations and has been portrayed as an all-American boy, a movie star, and more.  Ken has become an iconic character in the Barbie franchise, representing Barbie’s romantic partner and a friend to other dolls in the line. 

Barbie with her boyfriend Ken

Bottom Line

Barbie and Ken have become iconic figures in the toy industry, with Barbie evolving to reflect changing fashion trends, careers, and societal norms. Hope you enjoyed the blog and got to more about iconic Barbie dolls.

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