Barbie, Princess of Possibility

Were you first in line to see the new Barbie movie this summer?  Or did you stream it when it became available in September?  Did you grow up toting a tiny wardrobe to every slumber party, complete with miniscule pumps and a panoply of accessories?  Barbie’s held a place in our hearts for over 60 years.  Whether she’s a part of your fondest childhood memories or never really sparked your interest, today we’re living in a true Barbie moment as the recently released movie brings this cultural icon to every page and screen in view.  How does this 11-inch wonder hold so much power over the American imagination? 

When Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler noticed her daughter rejecting baby dolls in favor of adult paper dolls, she was intrigued.  Rather than an infant doll to cuddle and care for, her child sought adult dolls to play out her own dreams.  Adults have independence to go on adventures, build careers, and make choices, big and small.  Handler created a doll, inspired in part by a German gag gift doll intended for adults.  This petite plastic form with the exaggerated figure of a woman, named Barbara Millicent Roberts or “Barbie” for short, made her debut at the New York Toy Show of 1959.  Little girls immediately took to this little wonder who brought their dreams to life and inspired new ones.

Over the years, Barbie’s circle has grown, with boyfriend Ken, buddy Midge, and little sister Skipper.  She’s been a jill-of-all-trades, with careers from veterinarian to astronaut among the many on her lengthy resume.  Barbie’s “family’ has become more inclusive as well, first issuing friend dolls in a variety  of skin tones.  Barbie herself was issued in an African American incarnation by 1980.  Barbie has additionally appeared in a wheelchair, as a deaf person, and as a person with Downs syndrome.  For more than six decades, we’ve seen her physical proportions shift to include a range of body types.  Her popularity and ability to inspire remain strong as she herself represents more of us with every passing year. 

Barbie’s been no stranger to controversy.  Her hourglass form, biologically impossible, is emblematic of the unattainable body image standard held up for American women for decades.  She’s been called out as materialistic for her continuously expanding collection of accoutrements; she’s been accused of being silly, frivolous, and overly feminine.  With all of that said, many of Barbie’s critics are also her defenders.  Barbie allowed girls to think outside of the motherhood box and try on a wide array of lifestyles, careers, and hobbies.  Perhaps that’s exactly why so many adults enjoy collecting Barbie dolls.

For some, it’s precisely all those possibilities Barbie provides that keep her so appealing.  It’s the same sort of vacation from reality a good book or television show provides as you explore an imagined world and all it has in store.  To others, reliving the simple pleasure of a childhood activity makes a Barbie collection so dear.  For the treasure hunter, it’s the physical reality of Barbie: she’s a small, plastic item created for the use (and sometimes abuse) of children.  Finding an older Barbie, complete with all her accessories and in excellent condition, is akin to finding ancient relics or priceless gems.  Finally, Barbies are lovely, sparkling, colorful, and fun.  Each reflects the trends of her time, and many dolls were inspired by women of historic and cultural significance.  To some collectors, she’s simply a beautiful item worthy of keeping and curating.  

Regardless of the reason, collecting Barbies has the same power to connect people as any other collectible.  When we share a passion, trade collecting stories, and display our prized finds, we pass little pieces of ourselves and our stories.  So whatever your “why,” we hope you’ll honor that collection in the best way possible.  Show it off, tell your friends and loved ones all about it, and find someone who’s as passionate as you are to share it.  Do you collect Barbies?  If so, check out some of the dolls in our collection here.