Barbie Retrospective

STORY:
She's a Barbie girl in a Barbie world but even the iconic best-selling kid's doll can't stave off middle age.

Around the world fans have been marking her 50th in style.

In Tokyo the plaything of generations since 1959 marked the big day with a bang as the makers, Mattel, threw a party for the occasion.

The figure, just over 29 centimetres tall, first hit the market at the New York Toy Fair, resplendent in zebra-striped swimsuit and blond pony tail.

Since then the teen fashion queen originally known as Barbie Millicent Roberts and retailing at three dollars a pop has gone from strength to strength.

Over time she's emerged in outfits from Christian Dior to Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren.

She's been reinvented as a modern career woman, holding down 75 different jobs as well as being an Olympic athlete and an astronaut.

In Germany even Chancellor Angela Merkel and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger were in on the celebrations.

[Arnold Schwarzenegger, California Governor]:
"Now I've heard that they are even making Barbie dolls after her. That's really a sign that you have arrived, let me tell you."

Despite her age there's no sign Barbie is losing her figure or her looks, possibly prompting some speculation about plastic surgery.

But the passage of time isn't doing anything to harm her popularity.

The makers say two Barbies are sold somewhere in the world every single second.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Barbie
• Millicent
• Roberts
• game
• children