Iconic Barbies Throughout The Years
By Anna Collins
10 months ago
1. 1959, The first-ever Barbie
Image source: Reddit
What could be more iconic than the first-ever Barbie doll was introduced by American toy company Mattel? One of the co-founders, Ruth Handler, created the first-ever Barbie doll. She was introduced in 1959 and the doll was the typical first Barbie; a slim, blonde figure with lots of fashion accessories. It was totally ground-breaking for the time and it wasn't like any other dolls on the market which is why the original Barbie doll was a complete success. Although we can recognize the iconic Barbie, it has changed a lot over the years.2. 1968, Astronaut Barbie
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In 1968 Mattel created another totally iconic Barbie. The Barbie was created because there was a growing interest in space at the time and the fascination of space exploration was growing. It was one of the first Barbie's to represent women in the field of space travel. It was a huge deal, in showing that women could break gender stereotypes and it encouraged girls to follow new career paths and showed that all kinds of avenues were open to women, even in male-dominated areas. It became a huge hit with young girls.3. 1968, Christie Barbie
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Christie Barbie was a groundbreaking Barbie in the collection - it was the first African American fall in the line which was hugely significant in breaking the mold of the toy industry and taking a step towards becoming more inclusive and diverse. For these reasons, Christie Barbie has to be one of the most iconic in the entire Barbie series, due to being a milestone in what was the beginning of increasing diversity within the line. Barbie fans loved the new Barbie and she quickly became a new favorite.4. 1975, Olympic Skier Barbie
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The Olympic skier Barbie was released in 1975 as a part of the Barbie Sports Line. The new line of sports was to try and incorporate other avenues as well as fashion. Barbie wanted to show that girls could be interested in all kinds of different hobbies, as well as athleticism. It was also to celebrate the gold medal in woman's skiing in the USA Olympics. She came dressed in a ski outfit that came with boots, a helmet, and different kinds of accessories such as skis, poles, and goggles. It was a fun and interactive way of celebrating women's sports.5. 1985, Day to Night Barbie
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Day to Night Barbie was another totally iconic Barbie doll. You could transform the Barbie from a smart daytime look featuring a skirt and blouse and briefcase to an elegant evening dress. This Barbie was totally iconic as it was a very interactive way to play and showcase Barbie in all different forms. Children were able to have two different kinds of outfits with one Barbie meaning that they had way more playing opportunities. It became one of the Barbie that collectors wanted as a part of their collection.6. 1991, Air Force Pilot Barbie
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The 1991 Air Force Pilot Barbie was released wearing a flight suit that resembled that of real military pilots. She came with all of the accessories including a flight helmet and aviator sunglasses. It was iconic because Barbie was entering into very male-dominated fields such as aviation and by producing Barbies like this it showed girls that the possibilities were endless. She was a non-stereotypical Barbie who became an instant hit amongst Barbie fans and collectors. Plus, her outfit was a very different and refreshing change from the previous one.7. 1992, Totally Hair Barbie
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Totally Hair Barbie is one of THE most iconic Barbies of all time, and it is one of the ultimate favorites. It came out in the 1990s but it still remains a firm favorite! She was a doll with hair that reached right down to her feet. She had crimped-style hair and a voluminous fringe which was representative of the times. Kids were able to try out all different kinds of styles because the hair was so long. It even came with styling gel to be able to achieve some very creative looks. The doll was also available in multiple different colors.8. 2019, Barbie Fashionist with her wheelchair
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In 2019 a truly iconic Barbie was released called Barbie Fashionista doll and she came with a wheelchair. This was the first time that Barbie has ever included physical disability within the line. The feedback from Barbie Fashionista doll was met with hugely positive feedback from fans. The step towards inclusion towards disability was ground-breaking within the Barbie line. It enabled children with physical disability and wheelchair users to feel represented within their favorite dolls! There were even additional features such as ramps and lifts!9. 2022, Trans Barbie
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In the last few years, there has been an increasing move towards creating more diversity and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. In particular, trans rights have been at the forefront of society. And so in 2022, the first trans-Barbie was introduced which is truly iconic. The Barbie was created to depict transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox who said that she immediately went out and bought her own Barbie and played with her! She hoped it would encourage children to feel more comfortable in their own skin.10. 1970, Malibu Barbie
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How iconic is Malibu Barbie? The 1970 doll has become almost synonymous with Barbie and it still carries a name and reputation for itself now. Malibu Barbie has become iconic. It captured the California style, laid-back beachy vibes of the 70s. The sun-kissed Malibu Barbie dill wore a swimsuit which totally tied in with the rising popularity of the Californian beach sun lifestyle and aesthetic. It embraced a whole new Barbie style which is still loved today, away from the formal fashion and into the carefree beach look.11. 2023 Barbie Fashionist with Down Syndrome
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This year, 2023, one of the most iconic Barbie dolls ever was released. It's the newest Barbie fashionista doll and it represents a woman who has Down syndrome. Mattel worked alongside a medical professional to sculpt the Barbie and create a medically accurate representation. The doll features a longer torso and some characteristics that are often associated with Downs syndrome. It was a super important move by Mattel to include children who before couldn't see themselves represented in dolls and figures,12. 1960s Bubble cut Barbie
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13. 1967 Twist 'N Turn Barbie
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The Twist 'N Turn Barbie was released in 1967 and it was the first Barbie doll to be able to move better and more realistically. It was the first ever Barbie to be able to move with more flexibility and appear more life-like. This was an important moment in Barbie's history. The Twist 'N Turn Barbie also had a youthful look and she looks a more modern appearance and aesthetic than the previous Barbie dolls. It was the beginning of a pivotal change in Barbie history and it changed the Barbie dolls thereafter.14. 1977 Superstar Barbie
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1977 gave us an extremely iconic Barbie Doll which has gone down in Barbie history. It was...Superstar Barbie. She totally captured the glitz and the glam and the discotic era of the 1970s. She was bold and totally glam, with bright eyeshadow and shimmering, sequined outfits. The doll completely encompassed the disco culture of dancing, glamour, and decadence. This Barbie Doll was not only popular at the time, but she remains a sought-after doll to this day due to the sense of fun and for capturing the atmosphere of the era perfectly.15. 1996 Olympic Gymnast Barbie
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1996 was the year that the Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta, Georgia. And so to coincide with the momentous occasion Mattel released an Olympic gymnast to stay on theme. Not only did she come with a super cool USA-themed gymnasts leotard, but the doll also came with a balance beam, a floor exercise mat, and medals...sounds iconic, right? At the time gymnasts were growing more and more popular because of the Olympics and so the Barbie doll tied into this growing positivity and enthusiasm around the sport.16. 1980 Western Barbie
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Who remembers the iconic Barbie released in 1980...the Western Barbie. She was unlike any Barbie that has been released before or since. The doll captured Western imagery that we typically associate with the Wild West. She had cowgirl boots and hat and a fringed outfit. And there were also additional accessories that could be purchased, such as a horse, a saddle, and a lasso to complete the image of the Wild Western Barbie. This doll is a nostalgic figure, and it showed just how much Barbie has consistently changed and innovated throughout the years.17. 1988 Happy Holidays Barbie
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You guessed it, Happy Holiday Barbie was a Christmas theme, holiday time release. It was the first in the line of holiday-themed Barbie dolls and it captured the fun and joy of Christmas time making it a seriously iconic Barbie collection line. It was a lucrative move from Mattel, due to the fact that an abundance of Barbies is purchased every year for the holidays. The Happy Holiday Barbie doll varies from year to year, but it always retains the holiday theme and feel, but adapted to the latest fashion trends.18. 1986 Barbie and the Rockers
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Barbie and the Rockers were introduced by Mattel in 1986. This was a line of dolls in which Barbie and her friends were a part of a rock band. This alone was enough to get Barbie and the Rockers straight onto the list of iconic Barbies. The dolls were inspired by the 1980s and the fashion surrounding the 80s culture; leather jackets, headbands, and colorful, bold clothing. In fact, this line remains one of the most popular, particularly amongst collectors as the 80s decade remains one of the most nostalgic and glamorized.19. 2002 Barbie as the Princess of the Nile
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Barbie as the Princess of the Nile was a doll released in 2002 and it celebrated ancient Egyptian culture as well as the important River Nile. The doll's outfit was reflective of what an ancient Egyptian royal would wear. It had a gown with details of color and gold to reflect the intricate and opulent designs of ancient Egyptian royalty. The doll helped children immerse themselves in the history and the culture of Egypt. The accessories were adorned in hieroglyphics and other important ancient Egyptian symbolism.20. Barbie Career of the Year
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Barbie Career of the Year is released every single year, and we have to say that it is one of the most iconic Barbie lines ever. Every year Barbie will be released and the doll will reflect an influential career or an area of upcoming interest. For example, there have been film directors, game developers, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Every kind of career you could imagine from all different fields. This Barbie line is intended to encourage kids to pursue all kinds of different career options and to be ambitious!21. 2010 Barbie in a Mermaid Tale
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If you're a fan of the Barbie movies (come on, who isn't?) you may remember the film The Barbie in a Mermaid Tale. And so after the release of the film, which became very popular, Mattel released a Barbie f the same name and of course, the same theme. The hoodie that came with the Barbie actually transformed into a Mermaid's tale. This way, children playing with Barbie could also delve into the magical world of mythical creatures which opened up different play opportunities, and for the imagination.22. 2004-2007 Barbie Fashion Fever
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From the years 20004 to 2007 Mattel had a popular line of Barbie dolls that were released between int his period called Barbie Fashion Fever. This line was invented to try and keep up with he latest trends and their outfits were supposed to highlight all of the most popular fashions of that current moment which of course, children loved! Within the line, the fashion varied from formal to casual, and the Barbie dolls ranged in all different ethnicities, body types, hair types, and general looks. This had to be one of the most iconic ranges of all.23. 1989 Barbie Pink Jubilee
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It was the 30th anniversary of Barbie back in 1989 when Mattel released a special edition Barbie doll. The doll, which was the Barbie Pink Jubilee doll, celebrated three decades as a super successful global company. The doll wore an evening gown with a pink top section and a mirrored floor-length skirt. This Barbie, being a special edition, was one of a few. And so avid collectors were keen to be able o collect one, knowing that in some years it would be extremely valuable - which it now of course is!24. 2000+ Barbie Color Reveal
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Barbie Color Reveal wasn't just one doll released, it was an entire line. And the clue is in the name, they changed color! All you had to do was dip the doll into some warm water and the doll would transform! This was an iconic Barbie release. Of course, kids everywhere were going wild for this new collection as the color transition mesmerized them and added a whole new layer to how they played and interacted with Barbie dolls. There were even extensions to the line due to its success, such as color-changing Barbie pets!25. 2000 Barbie as Glinda the Good Witch
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In 2008 a Barbie collector's doll was released, it was Glinda the Good Witch Barbie which of course was inspired by the well-loved movie The Wizard of Oz. She was pink, glittery, beautiful, and captured everything about Glinda from the movie version of The Wizard of Oz. In the story, she is the emblem of good. And this iconic Barbie was not just sought after by children, many adult avid Barbie collectors were super eager to get their hands on this limited edition Barbie which was priced higher than the average doll.26. 2008 Barbie Global Glamour Collection
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In 2008 Mattel released the Barbie Global Glamour Collection which aimed to showcase dolls that had been inspired by all different kinds of cultures and different countries from across the globe. This collection was all about celebrating diversity and the fact that beauty comes in all different kinds of forms. The Barbies each had a different element of traditional clothing or accessory. There were dolls that represented a whole variety of countries such as India, Brazil, China, and many more. The collection was iconic and introduced so many different cultures into the Barbie collection.27. 2020 Barbie Wildlife Conservationist
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What could be cooler than a Barbie Wildlife Conservationist? This was an immediate hit with animal lovers. The Barbie was released in 2020 when Barbie struck up a partnership to collaborate with the National Geographic as the incentive was to raise awareness about environmental issues by bringing attention and love to animals and nature through play. Children went wild for this release and they loved the combination of Barbie and animals as it was the first time this had been done. This was definitely an iconic Barbie.28. 2018 Barbie Robotics Engineer
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The narrative of Barbie in modern times has been to spread empowering messages to children and in particular, girls. To break down gender stereotypes so that girls from a young age are introduced to the knowledge that they can do and be whatever they want, regardless of gender. The Barbie Robotics Engineer did exactly this, and it aimed to get more girls into STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) positively and engagingly. Barbie Robotics Engineer took a positive step in helping to achieve this.29. 2015 Barbie Princess Power Superhero
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In 2015 Barbie blessed us with the Princess Power Superhero. Superheroes have been something that is seriously lacking in the female department. Aside from a couple, all of the superheroes we know in popular culture are men. And so Barbie made the iconic move and introduced Princess Power Superhero. It was a message for kids to be able to combine femininity and strength...and that superheroes don't have to only be masculine figures! As you can imagine...this range seriously took off and was a huge hit with Barbie lovers.30. 2009 Barbie as UNICEF Ambassador
