The new 9TO5 is out now! Make sure you don't miss out on your copy!
Classic Tales
For real Italian cuisine march straight down the Roman way.
In a simple but stylish trattor...
» more
Read this week's complete print edition of 9TO5 online right now! Plus you can search or browse through our back issue archive - for free!
Barbie girl
Barbie Week kicks off this Thursday - but is Mattel's beloved doll still relevant nearly 50 years on?...
My sisters and I owned 50 Barbies between us - at the very least. Scarily, I still know them all by name. The most treasured was Rachel, the doctor Barbie, who not only had a medical degree but was blindingly gorgeous - and never had so much as a smudge on her white coat.
She also got to drive the pink sportscar and had her pick of our two lone male Barbies - Ken and Derek.
For Barbie lovers the world over, it may come as a surprise to know she will soon be turning the big 5-0 (having launched in 1959). From Thursday, Target stores will be celebrating all things pink and sparkly in aid of Barbie Week.
Barbie brand manager Amanda Allegos says that Barbie remains the number one fashion doll worldwide. "Over 90 per cent of girls, aged three to 10, own at least one Barbie doll and girls who own Barbies in that age group own on average 12 Barbies."
Still, not everyone has been happy with the blonde bombshell over the years. In 2003, Saudi Arabia outlawed the doll, saying she did not conform to the ideals of Islam, with her "revealing clothes and shameful postures".
read on below advertisement
And, of course, one of the most common criticisms has been that she promotes an unrealistic body image ideal. Her vital stats have been estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips), which would mean she would lack the body fat to menstruate in real life.
Sydney feminist academic Catharine Lumby says that not all girls are beguiled by her. "I've seen studies on what little girls do with Barbie and it's fascinating: interesting games with Ken and Barbie - and Barbie being attached to a brother's rocket launcher!"
But many still love her. Sydney celebrity dresser Annebelle van Tongeren says Barbie helped shape her career. "I made so many seriously cool outfits for her. And, later, I got to play with real-life TV Barbies and make them fabulous frocks too."
And don't many of us idolise real-life perfect Barbie girls, like Jennifer Hawkins and Sophie Falkiner?
While Barbie may not be for everyone, her appeal has been far-reaching. I, for one, will be fighting my sisters for our Barbie hand-me-downs should I ever have a daughter.
next page »
My sisters and I owned 50 Barbies between us - at the very least. Scarily, I still know them all by name. The most treasured was Rachel, the doctor Barbie, who not only had a medical degree but was blindingly gorgeous - and never had so much as a smudge on her white coat.
She also got to drive the pink sportscar and had her pick of our two lone male Barbies - Ken and Derek.
For Barbie lovers the world over, it may come as a surprise to know she will soon be turning the big 5-0 (having launched in 1959). From Thursday, Target stores will be celebrating all things pink and sparkly in aid of Barbie Week.
Barbie brand manager Amanda Allegos says that Barbie remains the number one fashion doll worldwide. "Over 90 per cent of girls, aged three to 10, own at least one Barbie doll and girls who own Barbies in that age group own on average 12 Barbies."
Still, not everyone has been happy with the blonde bombshell over the years. In 2003, Saudi Arabia outlawed the doll, saying she did not conform to the ideals of Islam, with her "revealing clothes and shameful postures".
read on below advertisement
And, of course, one of the most common criticisms has been that she promotes an unrealistic body image ideal. Her vital stats have been estimated at 36 inches (chest), 18 inches (waist) and 33 inches (hips), which would mean she would lack the body fat to menstruate in real life.
Sydney feminist academic Catharine Lumby says that not all girls are beguiled by her. "I've seen studies on what little girls do with Barbie and it's fascinating: interesting games with Ken and Barbie - and Barbie being attached to a brother's rocket launcher!"
But many still love her. Sydney celebrity dresser Annebelle van Tongeren says Barbie helped shape her career. "I made so many seriously cool outfits for her. And, later, I got to play with real-life TV Barbies and make them fabulous frocks too."
And don't many of us idolise real-life perfect Barbie girls, like Jennifer Hawkins and Sophie Falkiner?
While Barbie may not be for everyone, her appeal has been far-reaching. I, for one, will be fighting my sisters for our Barbie hand-me-downs should I ever have a daughter.
Story: Carla Caruso
next page »
1 | Single page
