Barbie fashion show spotlight

Barbie: Full steam ahead

A shopping trip, an afternoon at the movies, a museum outing. The winter break to-do list of your average college student? Nope-it's all in the name of Barbie(R).

Mattel designers have an admittedly tough job. How to keep the most successful fashion doll of all time, at age 44, fresh and relevant and desirable? Barbie certainly never shows her age. That's because her designers keep up with the latest in fashion, pop culture and entertainment.

"We go on lots of field trips, but all this shopping isn't just for fun," designer Heather Fonseca says. "Once back at the Mattel design center, we'll call a meeting to show the other designers the things we've bought for inspiration. We then brainstorm new ideas and sometimes make those ideas into new dolls." Reading fashion and entertainment magazines is an added bonus at any job, but it's work nonetheless. "Keeping on top of the trends is a lot of fun," she continues, "but it's also an important part of our jobs."

There's one thing that makes the job a little easier. Barbie doesn't just record pop culture, Starring Barbie in King Kong and Barbie as That Girl(TM), she is pop culture. No matter what Heather, Sharon Zuckerman and the rest of the designers do, they're not just following trends. When Barbie debated at the 1959 Toy Fair, a wisp of a girl with side-glancing eyes and an inscrutable expression, retailers weren't sure what to think of her. Millions of dolls later, every little girl remembers her first Barbie doll. She's more than just a buzzword, more than the doll next door. Barbie has begun setting trends herself.

Just look at the second-half 2002 and first-half 2003 offerings from parent company Mattel. Sleek, sophisticated, just a tad daring and always endearing. "Barbie's versatility allows her to be reincarnated into a new role each time," Mattel spokesperson Sophia Ou says. "Collectors eagerly anticipate Barbie's next identity not only because they await something entirely new and different, but also because Barbie is always exquisite in her latest costuming."

To wit, Barbie's latest incarnations. They reconfirm that old fashion mantra, classic never goes out of style. In the Collectors' Request series, the authentic reproduction Gay Parisienne(R) Barbie barkens back to her '50s inception in a beautiful dark-blue bubble dress with white polka dots. From her ponytail 'n bangs to her side-glancing eyes to the Jacqueline Kennedy-esque faux-fur stole and pearls, Barbie defines demure '50s grace. And how about Lingerie Barbie(R) designed by the visionary of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, Robert Best? She radiates a timeless perfection. Her lace-trimmed slip perfectly matches alluring thigh-high hose. Red hair gives this fiery doll flair.

Mattel markets two lines of Barbie products-the Mainline selections for children, and the Collectible line. Collectible line models "are intended for display," Heather says. "The designers know their creations will eventually grace one of our collector's homes, and this makes a big impact on the way we design our dolls." Barbie has become such a fashion plate that clothiers from all backgrounds love to create for her. Bob Mackie's Brunette Brilliance(TM) Barbie, for example, showcases the famed designer's gift for glitz. Bold colors make this doll, the second in The Red Carpet(TM) Collection, a head-turner. Another big-name designer debuts the new Designer Spotlight series with Designer Spotlight by Katiana Jiminez, which features a crop-top-style gown and rich auburn-colored hair.

"Barbie is constantly ahead of the fashion curve, and reflects the current trends of girls at the time, no matter what era," Sophia says. "Through her versatility, Barbie is constantly reinvented in a wide variety of roles that speak to different individuals." Movie buffs will love Starring Barbie in King Kong. If your tastes run more to television, check out Lucy Gets a Paris Gown(TM).

Literary devotees will recognize Barbie's young siblings Kelly(R) and Tommy(TM) as Alice and the Mad Hatter. Pop culture meets dynamite dolls. "Media elements are extremely important to the collection because they reflect pop culture and the trends of a specific period," Sharon says. "Together with Barbie, media elements help recreate some very memorable moments for collectors. We identify iconic media elements and pair them with Barbie."

Of course, this means special challenges for the designers. Because Barbie and Ken's basic facial sculpts never change, makeup and accessories become crucial. For That Girl, for example, that means conveying the characters through a certain mood and face paint. Often it's the clothes as much as the expressions that set the scene. That's a challenge in itself. "What is difficult about designing a doll likeness of a person is trying to get the correct proportions on Barbie that the real garment has," Sharon says. "Also, we can't always use the same material used on the real garment because of the smaller proportion. The fabric does not always drape the same and we need to find something that looks similar to the original but works on Barbie's scale."

Whatever's hip, whatever's in, Barbie is sure to reflect it. In fact, there's even a good chance she started it. That's why, after more than 40 years, she doesn't show a hint of gray-or graying. "So, whether you love ice-skating or a popular music band, Barbie brings something for everyone," Sophia says. "Her popularity continues to be passed along from women who grew up playing and loving Barbie to their children."