March 6, 2019 |
This morning came with the fabulous announcement that model, activist and a general babe Adwoa Aboah got her own Barbie. As fun as that sounds, the launch is actually part of Mattel’s Shero project, inspiring limitless potential in every girl and empowering young females around the world by celebrating successful and talented women. The bigger purpose of the project is to close what is called a “dream gap”, where research has shown that starting at the age of five, many girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and begin to lose confidence in their own competence. Other Shero Barbie dolls that have already been released include Ashley Graham, Ava DuVernay and Misty Copeland, with a long lineup of upcoming names for 2019 ranging from moviemaker Lisa Azuelos and NASA Scientist Eleni Antoniadou all the way to actress Yara Shahidi and chef Rosannna Marziale. In a positive move towards inclusivity and wider representation of women, the evolution of Barbie as a cultural icon is nothing but commendable. As she turns 60 this coming Saturday, just the day after International Women’s Day, we celebrate Barbie’s rich heritage by looking back at ten of the most fabulous celebrity iterations of the doll we need in our collection.
Dana Scully, the bad bitch detective played by Gillian Anderson on the X-Files, was reimagined as a Barbie last year in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the award-winning TV show. Her FBI badge accessorising the perfectly-cut suit that could be taken straight from the Burberry AW19 catwalk. Glistening in a lavender two-piece with a ostrich-like feather boa – this is the Cher we all know and love, as released back in 2001. Another legend, another female boss. Diana Ross was reimagined in all her disco glory by the master costumer himself Bob Mackie for a special edition in 2003, fishtail sparkly gown and big hair included. As for iconique goes, not much tops Holly Golightly‘s black gown from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, except perhaps Scarlett O’Hara‘s upcycled drapes in Gone with the Wind. Both in a Barbie version? Time-period character Barbies are definitely on the top of every collector’s wishlist, and we’re no different. The characters of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra and Kate Winslet as Rose in Titanic were both all about the power of the female leads, and therefore make total sense in the form of Barbies. Same goes for Krystle and Alexis of Dynasty, the two women that redefined the idea of a bitch slap. Imagine having the two together as Barbies? The play scenarios are endless. And then there’s Adwoa Aboah, in her 2017 Fashion Awards custom Halpern sparkle mini dress, completed with her freckles and that major Stephen Jones turban. Just like that – all our childhood dreams just came true.
