As the world celebrates 60 years of Barbie, we pay tribute to the quintessential doll with a fashion editorial fit for the mega icon.
Barbie’s Herstory
The year was 1959, all the toys available for girls were either dolls made of paper or representation of infants. Legend has it that Ruth Handler, businesswoman and future president of toy company Mattel Inc., noticed her almost pre-teen daughter, Barbara playing with her paper dolls. Handler noticed that Barbara enjoyed giving the dolls adult roles, acting out the future versus the present. Noticing this possible gap in the toy market, the idea of Barbie was born—and the rest is herstory.
Fast forward to 2019, Barbie continues to empower girls—and boys—everywhere, constantly evolving to be a role model fit for modern times. She inspires generations by conquering every job and dream possible, putting every child’s aspirations front and center. Most importantly, Barbie is championing progressive ideals with their offerings of racially and physically diverse dolls. Gone are the days when the brand has presented an idealized look—thin, blonde, and white—a relevant change in this increasingly diverse and enlightened world. Barbie has also made big strides in the world of social media, particularly on Instagram, creating and sharing content that is purpose-driven, inspiring, and progressive.
Celebrating the Icon
In true MEGA fashion, we celebrate 60 years of Barbie and everything she stands for with a fashion editorial shoot fit for the icon. Donning custom made creations of Philippine designers, Barbie is a sight to behold in fashion inspired by the 1950s. It’s only apt, as our gorgeous model features the face of the first ever Barbie doll made—the iconic 1959 release.
