From
Ansa
Published on
October 28, 2024
The ability to have choices and the freedom to imagine being anyone. It is the philosophy that led to the creation of the most famous doll in the world: Barbie. A toy that in 65 years of history has become a cultural icon by absorbing and reflecting the expression of the time or often anticipating the times.
Barbie: A Cultural Icon
All of Barbie’s milestones are celebrated in New York with ‘Barbie: A Cultural Icon’, at the Museum of Arts and Design (Mad) on display until March 16, 2025. Featuring over 250 vintage dolls, plus interviews, commercials , designers, videos, narrative sections from the private collection of David Porcello and Mattel, the exhibition, curated by Karan Feder, traces 65 years of Barbie’s history, highlighting the path that led the doll to become a cultural icon.
It does so starting from the intentions of its creator, Ruth Handler, who, after having founded Mattel with her husband Elliot and Harold Matson, decided to dedicate a doll to her daughter Barbara with a disturbing body and the possibility of being everything she wants without never lose sight of fashion. It was precisely by observing the little girl playing, creating paper dolls to which she gave adult roles, that she realized the potential of a doll with the characteristics of an adult. The first Barbie, number 1, is on display on the fifth floor of the Mad. It was 1959 and the New York Toy Fair audience skeptically welcomed a doll with a zebra-print costume and ponytail. It was completely different from other toys of the time because it had the appearance of an adult, despite this the success was immediate, the world was bewitched by that doll and its philosophy.
Spanning two floors, ‘Barbie: A Cultural Icon’ arrives in New York following debuts in 2021 in Phoenix and Las Vegas. It is organized according to decades and along six sections. In addition to the origins, the first section features all 22 original costume ensembles, including a Roman holiday-themed Barbie Bell Dress, inspired by Jackie Kennedy, Ken’s arrival in 1961, Barbie in a miniskirt in homage to Mary Quant , Christie the first black doll, Barbie astronaut, the creation of the Barbie Dreamhouse (the dream house).
“Barbie,” said the curator, “in its 65-year history has captured the spirit of the times, inspired and helped many girls in their careers. It is a brand that has evolved through generations.” It is no coincidence that over the years Barbie dolls with a perfect body were born in the name of inclusiveness with, for example, Down syndrome, blind people, with prostheses, without hair and with vitiligo. “The best-selling model of all time,” continues Feder, “was the ‘Totally Hair Barbie’ released in 1992. She has styleable hair that reaches down to the doll’s feet. We also have the Mirror-Pink Corvette and the series, ‘ Barbie Signature 65th Blue Sapphire Anniversary Fashion Dolls’, in homage to the doll’s history and cultural heritage.”
