| Barbie is a children's toy, predominantly, for girls between 3 - 12 years of age and vocation, according to founders, to develop the beginning of femininity and style. For the first time, the doll was launched in 1959 in Wisconsin state of America. Barbie's "Mummy" is Ruth Handler. Full name of Barbie is Barbara Millicent Roberts. In English, it is written as: Barbie.
History
American firm Mattel manufactures the Barbie dolls. These dolls are sold in 150 countries worldwide. Barbie has friend Ken and sister Stacie etc. Large number of girls all over the world play with Barbie dolls. In Europe, sale of Barbie dolls was started in 1961.
Barbie has many careers — from doctor and rock-singer to presidential candidates. Supermodel Twiggy became biggest "celebrity" in Barbie's family. It was sold in 1967. In 1992, Barbie started career of military physician and company Mattel manufactured Barbie in Khaki clothes in “Military style”. Many prototypes of Barbie dolls are sold worldwide — "pirated" and officially manufactured. Muslim prototype is Fulla.
Barbie's height is 29 cm. Its proportions with respect to “our”, real world is 1:6. Mattel Company manufactures complete set of clothes for Barbie, but many proprietresses of Barbie prefer to stitch clothes for Barbie themselves. Till 2000, Barbie had rotating waist and had no navel. After 2000, Barbie's body underwent certain changes. Chest became small, waist stopped to rotate and it is possible to pull apart the hands to sides and shins were narrowed. Hips became wider and now, the feet, like hands, can be pulled apart to sides. And the navel has appeared.
Barbie also has domestic favourites — from cats and doggies to panda, giraffe and zebra.
Worldwide, many collections of Barbie are available: “12 dancing princesses"," Princess of the world", "Fashionable fever”, dolls with Indian, Latin American and Negresses features. And, these all are just a small portion of entire range of collection.
Opponents accuse manufacturers for introducing "impracticable" beauty standard doll into the market of children's goods since all the girls try to be like the doll.
Facts:
American Cindy Jackson hated her body structure and had undergone 29 (!) plastic surgeries so as to look like her favorite idol “Barbie” doll. As a result, only lower lip of her was not subjected to plastic surgery. |
Toy giant Mattel Inc. has just launched Barbie Spain - a model of the famous doll in designed in Andalusian culture and flamenco fashion. Spanish Barbie doll has black hair and is dressed in the typical black and red dress similar to traditional dresses worn by Spanish women during celebrations and holidays.
Meanwhile Iranian government has banned Barbie doll, claiming that the long-legged big-breasted Western blond doll is destructive for Iranian culture.
Barbie doll will turn 50 in 2009. Perhaps Mattel should come up with a middle-age version of Barbie that is more realistic.
