• is named after ’s son, Kenneth.

• ’s creator • Barbie’s full name is is Ruth Handler, Barbara Millicent Bild Lilli Comic the former president of Roberts, named after , who wanted to Handler’s daughter, create a doll for her Barbara. daughter who was Bild Lilli Doll playing with paper dolls Barbie turns 60 in the 1950s. RULER TO SCALE Almost 60 years ago, on March 9, 1959, Barbie was born at 29 29 the New York Toy Fair. Lee Yu Hui traces the history of the famous — and fashionable — doll. 28 28 27 27 26 26

The 25 25 first • The design of Barbie is Barbie inspired by the Bild Lilli doll doll (meant for adult collectors), 24 24 which is created after the character Lilli by cartoonist Reinhard Beuthien for the 23 23 German tabloid Bild Zeitung. Lilli is worldly, single and in search of a rich boyfriend. 22 22 • Mattel acquired the rights 1961 1965 1971 1980 to Lilli in 1964. 21 21 Ken meets Barbie Astronaut Barbie goes to Malibu Barbie has First African-American • Barbie is the rst mass-produced doll in the on TV and the the moon four years before a forward gaze and Barbie with her own United States with adult features. pair fall in love. Neil Armstrong - the first an open smile for mould is produced. • Before Barbie, there were only baby dolls which 20 20 man on the moon in 1969. the rst time. supposedly taught little girls how to be nurturing. 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16

Eyes look 15 15 forward instead of to the 14 14 side, unlike 1982 1992 1992 1999 Lilli and 13 13 Pregnant Midge is a Presidential Candidate Totally Hair Barbie is Generation Girl Barbie is the early controversial doll with Barbie campaigns the best-selling ready for Year 2000 and . a detachable bump for presidency for Barbie with 27cm of never leaves home 12 12 containing a foetus. the rst time. crimped hair. without her denim jacket. 11 11 10 10 Approximate size of a 9 9 Barbie doll 8 8 1959 7 7 Teenage Fashion Model Barbie is 6 6 introduced to the world at 2000 2001 2010 2011 the New York Jewel Girl Barbie Princess of the Incas Shaving Fun Ken Tokidoki Barbie, now a 5 5 Toy Fair after sports natural Barbie is launched as sports facial hair collector’s item, is Handler make-up and Barbie’s part of the “Dolls of removable with initially unpopular as spent years rst belly-button. the World” series. warm water. parents feel her tattoos PANTONE 4 4 convincing set a bad example. The 219C Official Mattel Barbie Pink management Barbie 3 3 that Barbie Pink would be a Colour is winner. owned 2 2 by Mattel and used for the 1 1 doll’s branding. CM 0

HEIGHT OF S$37,000 #1 doll BARBIE • The rst Barbie doll sold 29.21cm for US$3. With ination, it would be US$25.89 today. 2011 2012 2016 2016 Today, a mint-condition #1 Pantone Barbie Presidential Candidate Barbie Fashionistas The four body types Playscale • SOME OF (1959 Barbie) can fetch as wears Pantone Barbie sports wedge come in four body types, are original, petite, 1:6 (doll:human) BARBIE’S much as US$27,450 (S$37,319). colour swatches in heels instead of pumps seven skin tones, 22 eye curvy and tall. These her own signature and stands upright for colours and are the tall (above left) FASHION pink. the rst time. 24 hairstyles. and curvy (above) DESIGNERS Barbie versions. • Giorgio Armani 2019 • Christian Dior Proudly Pink OVER 200 CAREERS • Bill Blass Barbie Oscar de celebrates • la Renta IMAGINE THE FUTURE her 60th anniversary • Ralph Lauren and the My whole philosophy of Barbie timeless elegance was that, through the doll, of classic the little girl could be anything couture in her she wanted to be. Barbie signature pink. always represented the fact that a woman has choices. 2017 2017 2018 2018 Ken Fashionistas The three body types The Yves Saint The Frida Kahlo doll come after Barbie are original, broad and Laurent doll honours celebrates the Fashionistas with slim. These are the the French designer extraordinary life and art 15 new dolls in broad (above left) in his iconic of the Mexican artist, three body types. and slim (above) Mondrian dress. activist and feminist icon. RUTH’’ HANDLER, creator of Barbie Ken versions. The prototype is sent DESIGN from the California workshop to factories in PROCESS China and Indonesia for production. OF A NEW Supposedly, more than 91 million metres of BARBIE fabric have been devoted to Barbie 100 designers clothes. This is Fashion illustrators The body of the 3D models are The beauty The stylist roots The doll is then approximately 497 take sketch several doll is translated printed and department and styles the tted with her out t times the length of 12 to 18 months 1 out t ideas. 2 into 3D. 3 assembled. 4 paints the face. 5 doll’s hair. 6 from the sketch. Singapore’s coastline.

Sources: MATTEL INC, THE GUARDIAN PHOTOS: MATTEL INC, BILD ZEITUNG, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS: LEE YU HUI