A Modern Doll's Guide to Barbie | Spring/Summer 2023

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Like many girls, I grew up loving Barbi e, and I still love her to this day (prett y obvio us, since I’m makin g this zine). But while my fondn ess and nosta lgia for her have neve r wane d, as I’ve grow n into a youn g wom an, I’ve beco me awar e of the doll’s notso-pe rfect past.

Femin ist group s expre ss frustra tion with Barbi e dolls' unrea listic body propo rtions . Girls of color have n't alwa ys seen them selve s repre sente d in the dolls. And in our curre nt mom ent, with the const ant loom ing weigh t of overc onsum ption and wealt h inequ ality, it's hard to look at Barbi e's dream house , sport s cars, and endle ss ward robe- and not cring e a little bit.

So, there 's plent y we can (and shoul d!) critic ize abou t Barbi e but, we shoul dn't cast her off entire ly.

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Barbie has had a much more positive impact than we give her credit for. For a long time, baby dolls were the only kind of doll on the market, and girls were limited to playing as mothers. Ruth Handler wanted girls to dream without limitations, so she created Barbie as a toy girls could see themselves in, and imagine themselves being anyone they wanted to be.

Barbie bought her first dreamhouse in 1962, before women in the real world could have their own bank accounts.

She ran for president in 1990, before a woman had ever made it onto the ballot. She's had over 200 other careers besides that- all while still being unapologetically pink and feminine. This is really important.

Barbie isn't perfect, but it is still possible to find a personal sense of empowerment in her, and I believe Greta Gerwig's Barbie will further transform her into an empowering figure for women of the 21st century (but more about that on page 7).

With all that in mind- put on your favorite pink outfit and get ready for your crash course in all things Barbiebecause we’re about to enter the Summer of Barbie, and, hopefully, her most iconic era yet!

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77 Entertainment Entertainment and and Culture Culture

55 History History

14 14 Fashion Fashion

13, 13, 17 17 Games Games and and Activities Activities

Barbie moves into her first dreamhouse

1962 Barbara "Barbie" Millicent Roberts emerges into the world on March 9th, from the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin

Allan Sherwood is introdued as Midge's boyfriend

1959

1964

1963 Midge Hadley is introdued as Barbie's best friend

1961 Ken Carson is introdued as Barbie's boyfriend

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1967 Mattel releases its first black doll, marketed under the name "Colored Francie" (yeah...)

Scan this QR code for a more in-depth look into the history of Barbie!

The first nonwhite dolls named Barbie are released

Mattel releases a more diverse collection of body types

1980

2016 The "Happy Family" set is released, including a pregnant Midge + baby, Allan, and their son, Ryan.

This set is discontinued amidst controversy that it "promoted teen pregnancy"

2002

1985

2018

Launch of the "We Girls Can Do Anything" Campaign

Launch of the "Dream Gap" project

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but it , s g in h t ises big m o r p for id ie l b r o a o t B a 's s ig erw edia a m d n Greta G a t r tilized a u s a h l e Matt

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t time s ir f e h t won't be ntion. e v in e r l a deologic

This zine is supposed to be about Barbie, but I want to talk about something completely different for a moment: a Marvel superhero named Red Wolf.

Red Wolf is a comic book character based on Indigenous American cultures.

His first appearance was in 1970, so naturally, he wasn’t always an appropriate representation Still, Jeffrey Veregge, a member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, loved Red Wolf comic books as a kid.

He knew Red Wolf perpetuated inaccuracies about Indigenous people, but he was still a young boy who couldn't help but enjoy superheroes and comics, as young boys often do.

Veregge would grow up to become a professional artist, and he has been commissioned by multiple comic book agencies- including an offer from Marvel to redesign the character of Red Wolf, resulting in a beautiful comic series that incorporated authentic Salish art techniques and a more appropriate depiction of the Indigenous history the character is based on.

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I’m telling this story because it’s reminiscent of my feelings about Barbie. She represents an unattainable lifestyle and has never made an effort to look like a real woman. But much like many young boys are drawn towards superheroes, many young girls are drawn toward Barbiemyself included- and it’s hard to erase that fondness as you age, even as you realize Barbie isn’t the hero you always assumed her to be.

The only other choice, then, is to project new meanings onto Barbie as you grow up. After all, much of Barbie’s messaging is comprised of: “You/I/We can be anything!” If she can be a president, a ballerina, and a veterinarian, then surely, she can become a feminist icon if we want her to.

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This has given rise to multiple attempts at recontextualizing Barbie in pop culture, especially through film and other video media.

Greta Gerwig is only the latest in a long line of those aiming to redefine her.

The first Barbie movies were the Barbie and the Rockers trilogy released in the late 1980s, but no more Barbie movies would be released again until the early 2000s, with films such as: Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie Fairytopia, Barbie of Swan Lake, etc.

After performing a content analysis examining the presence of potential feminist messaging in these films, researchers noted: “Barbie’s world is a girls’ world and it is populated with female characters with narrative agency, capable of initiating action, leading a quest, solving a problem, or saving the environment. As Seiter explains, such female characters in made-for-girls media are not mere side-kicks or token female characters in male-dominated story worlds."

(Vered and Maizonniaux).

These films aren’t revolutionary feminist commentaries, but there’s no other children’s media from the same period that so casually promoted female independence and competency, at least not that I’m aware of.

Growing up with these movies influenced my perception of Barbie as brave, confident, and capable. Then, when playing with my Barbie dolls, whom I often imagined as projections of my ideal “grown-up” self, I could see myself in the same manner.

Barbie had already been cultivating a girl-power persona since the 80s, but the early 2000s movies reached much wider audiences (there’s not a single girl in my friend group who can’t name all 12 dancing princesses by heart). Exposing such a high number of young girls to these films created a generation-wide perception of Barbie as much more empowering than she has been seen by previous generations,.

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This continued in the 2010s with Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse (the best piece of Barbie media IMO), which provides a semi-satirical view of life in plastic. Running gags across the series include: characters getting lost in Barbie’s infinite closet, grumbling about the impracticality of a dreamhouse with only one bathroom, and complete societal collapse caused by a glitter shortage. If it wasn’t for the Mattel logo appearing at the end of each episode, you might think B:LITDH was an unaffiliated parody.

Mattel is now repeating this history. Will Ferrell, portraying the role of Mattel's CEO in Barbie, has said of the film: “It’s a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn’t be more satirical — just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie’s criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie.”

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Other cast members have praised the subversiveness of the film, with Ryan Gosling and Simu Liu going as far as to say it’s the best script they’ve ever read (which I wholeheartedly believe).

Very little information has been revealed about the actual plot of the movie, but recent promotional materials unveiling a refreshingly diverse cast and the “She’s everything, He’s just Ken,” slogan have allowed fans to make inferences regarding the themes and messages we can expect from the film.

ese QR codes h t to an c s S osling and Sim ee G uL an y u o R iu ab t Barb k l a i t e!

“It’s a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn’t be more satirical — just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie’s criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie.”

-Will Ferrell

While exact details have yet to be revealed, it is clear that Greta Gerwig is attempting to recontextualize Barbie. Much like Jeffery Veregge, she has been commissioned to create art that will atone for a pop culture figure’s problematic past. And while Mattel has a long history of employing Barbie media to alter an entire generation’s perceptions of the doll, Gerwig's film is the company's most ambitious attempt yet.

It seems this movie will finally seal what’s been a long time coming: Barbie acknowledging her history of an exclusive and unattainable life in plastic and atoning for it. By principle, she will always be a fantasy ideal, not a representation of a real woman, but the release of this film will mark the beginning of an era in which that fantasy is no longer humbling and discouraging, but inspiring and empowering.

I can’t wait to witness Barbie shift both cinematic and pop culture history on July 21st. It’s going to be absolutely fabulous.

Here's a great video that goes into more depth on things there's not enough space for in this article. If you're going to watch any of the videos linked in this zine, let it be this one!

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You're more of a...

Night Owl

Which sounds more like you on a Saturday night?

Cat person or dog person?

Dogs

"Bus, club, another club, another club..."

Coffee or tea?

Early Bird

Coffee

12-step skincare, in bed by 11:00

How do you feel about group projects?

Love them!

Cats

T STAR

You'd rather watch a...

No thanks...

Drama

What's your ideal first date?

A picnic under the stars

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You'd rather be good at...

Dancing

Singing

How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Fancy dinner and a play

An hour... or 2... or 3...

Just like Ken, you're sweet, caring, and the best friend any doll could ask for!

Just like Barbie, you're bubbly, fun, and the most fabulous doll of them all!

30 mins tops

Tea

Comedy

Which emoji do you use more?

💖

✨

Just like Midge, you're smart, funny, and completely one of a kind!

Fashion Inspo for the Barbie premiere Barbie’s had over 200 careers, but fashion model was her first. In that case, it’s only fitting that the stars on the red carpet (or perhaps pink carpet?) at the Barbie premiere draw inspiration directly from the doll. Barbie has worn nonstop groundbreaking looks across 64 years, so there is plenty of reference material for this to be one of the campiest and most iconic red carpets of the 21st century.

For the Doll Who Doesn't Want to be too Dressy If costumes aren’t your thing, any pink outfit will do! Searching "y2k barbiecore” on Pinterest will provide you with infinite inspiration.

But what's even more exciting: those of us viewing the film at our local theater can dress up too, and with decades of looks to choose from, there’s something for everyone!

P.S. This Barbie loves sustainable fashion! I recommend using clothes you already own, going on a thrift hunt, or- if you're feeling crafty- make your own costume!

For the Doll Who Wants to be the Most Dressy Since 1985, Barbie has collaborated with dozens of designers. If you’ve got a taste for the finer things, you’ll have no trouble finding dozens of dolls in gorgeous evening gowns to reference in your own look. If that feels like a bit much, you could emulate something a bit simpler, like 1977’s beautiful and timeless Superstar Barbie, shown here.

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For the Doll Who Shops Vintage There are endless options of historic Barbie outfits you can recreate (scan the QR code to the right for a complete list of EVERY BARBIE OUTFIT EVER MADE). Or, if you don’t want to copy a specific look, find inspiration at your nearest thrift or vintage store. Remember- we’re aiming for campy and fun- loud patterns, bright colors, and shoulder pads are your friends!

For the Doll Who Wants to Match Margot Though the film’s trailers haven’t revealed much about the plot, we have been treated to a sneak peek of the fabulous fashions. A lot of the outfits can be recreated with clothes you might already have, but if you’re up to it, you can scan this QR code for DIY ideas.

For the Doll With Fabulous Hair First released in 1992, Totally Hair Barbie is the best-selling Barbie doll of all time. You can get a costume online (including her dress and a long blonde wig), but I think it’d be way more fun (and sustainable!) to take subtler inspo by rocking any brightly colored outfit and a bold hairdo.

You could wear extensions, colorful highlights, whatever you want! Your creativity can run wild with this one, plus it’s a great excuse to get a new haircut.

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For the Doll Who Wants Something Different In previous Barbie films, we’ve seen the doll take on the roles of princess, fairy, and mermaid. If you’re not that into fashion, just show up in any pink dress and slap on some fairy wings or a tiara from an old Halloween costume. Or go all out and show up in the most magnificent costume of your childhood dreams. This movie presents a rare opportunity to dress as ridiculously as you want, so why not go all in!

For the Dolls Who Like to Match With Barbie’s wide array of friends over the years, there are plenty of group costume options. My favorites options are Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse or Barbie and the Rockers. That is, of course, if you think your friendship can survive fighting over who gets to be Barbie.

For the Kens Ken dolls- don’t think you’re excused from dressing up too! All the Barbie looks listed above, (and plenty not listed here) include a matching Ken option. Or, if you’d rather keep it low-key, at least wear a splash of pink!

But for those who want to fully embrace the campy spirit of this movie… I better see at least one Earring Magic Ken (iykyk).

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A Modern Doll's Guide to Barbie Spring/Summer 2023 Written, Edited, and Designed

by Nicole Davis

With information sourced from: Gibson, Kelsie. “Everything to Know about the Barbie Movie.”

People, 6 Apr. 2023.

Harris, Harry. "Margot Robbie's Barbie and the Doll's Surprising (Feminist) History" The Take, 23 June 2022.

Le, Mina "why do we still care about barbie?" Mina Le, 15 Dec. 2021 Nast, Condé. “Why the Barbiecore Trend Will Never Go out of Style.”

Architectural Digest, 6 July 2022.

Toni Marie Ford. “The History of the Barbie Doll.” Culture Trip, 19 Mar. 2016.

Vered, Karen Orr, and Christèle Maizonniaux. “Barbie and the Straight-ToDVD Movie: Pink Post-Feminist Pedagogy.” Feminist Media Studies, vol.

17, no. 2, 4 May 2016, pp. 198–214.

Information permanently etched into my brain from 19+ years of Barbie obsession