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Barbie is 50!

EVER POPULAR Barbie down the ages

Barbie Millicent Roberts is 50. Barbie Millicent Roberts as in Barbie doll. Someone said, “Barbie is just a doll.” No! no! she is not just a doll, she is a movement.

Barbie turned 50. In 1959 Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel Toys, designed the doll after seeing her daughter Barbara and her friends’ interest in dressing up dolls. Fifty years down the line, Barbie has been translated into various other nationalities (around 50 on last count).

If there ever was a fashion trend, Barbie has flaunted it and the same goes for fashion faux pas too. In 1980, came the African-American and Hispanic Barbie and in 1982, an Indian Barbie.

Down the 50 years Barbie’s facial features have undergone changes.

If in the 1950s she had high arched eyebrows, pursed red lips and bangs, now she has a softer look, is leaner with a ‘more athletic physique’, an open smile and wide eyes.

There are several accusations against Barbie, ranging from having drawn inspiration from a German sex doll to reinforcing a negative body image for young girls.

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