The year 2023 will be Barbie or it won’t be. A few months before the release of the event film with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, France 5 devotes an evening, this Friday from 9 p.m., to the most famous doll in the world. Entitled And God created Barbie, this documentary looks back at the story of this toy that invaded American homes from its creation in 1959, before conquering the planet. As one of the speakers, Kévin Bideaux, researcher in arts and gender studies, reminds us, from the end of the 1990s Barbie exceeded one billion in sales and 80% of little girls had one in their bedroom.
From the height of her 29 cm, her platinum blonde hair, her ridiculously small feet and her wardrobe to make Carrie Bradshaw pale, Barbie also evokes a plethora of memories – more or less pleasant –, to the various guests of this documentary. Arielle Dombasle, Nicky Doll, Zahia Dehar or even Lio deliver tender, amusing or more bitter anecdotes. Link with German call girl figure, lawsuit with Mattel, pyjama party problematic… The opportunity also to (re) discover more unknown sides of the doll.
Barbie and Lilly
It was in California that Barbie was born, the fruit of the imagination of Ruth and Elliot Handler, at the head of the Mattel brand. But it is on the other side of the Atlantic, in Germany, that one of his inspirations is hidden. As the documentary tells, Ruth Handler would have discovered during a trip to Europe the existence of Lilli, a figurine with endless legs. German tabloid mascot Picturecall-girl and heroine of erotic comics, Lilli is not a toy for children… Some men even offer her on their romantic dates in order to clarify their intentions (we don’t draw you a picture).
But what interests our mother and American businesswoman is the discovery of a doll modeled on the female body, which you can dress as you wish. A toy that contrasts with those of little American girls, who have to make do with dolls. Barbie – diminutive of Barbara, the first name of Ruth Handler’s daughter – will be a revolution in this: the possibility of playing and projecting oneself with miniature plastic women.
stylish barbie
If the doll has conquered the hearts of millions of children since its birth, it has also seduced fashion designers thanks to its elegance and its body defying all morphological logic. Let us mention in particular Pierre Cardin, Dior or Chantal Thomass who have transformed the doll into a real collector’s item. In 1985, Yves Saint Laurent first devoted a clothing collection to her, adapting her great classics to her small size, notably her famous tuxedo or her Mondrian dress. Miniature costumes made with care and meticulousness, like real haute couture outfits. Barbie will even be styled by Alexandre de Paris, the star hairdresser appointed to all Saint Laurent fashion shows. An existence that ordinary mortals can barely caress… And yes, Barbie is living her best life. And watch out for whoever questions this dream life.
Procedural Barbie
Singer Lio paid the price in 1986, with a song about a heartbroken actress. “Barbie you cry in your little doll’s head, you think that a big misfortune is a whole missed life”, she sings in particular in this title. A Barbie so desperate that she comes to suicide, evoked by the pun “barbi-turiques”. A way to play with stereotypes, explains the singer. But the tragic fate of this character is not at all to the taste of Mattel, who assigns Lio and his record company for infringement. Because no, Barbie cannot have dark thoughts. The judge does not give him reason, however, the American company loses the case and must pay nearly 60,000 francs in damages to the artist. Barbie can therefore have some moods, at least in song.
Barbie good advice…
Fall into despair, never, but shopping, a trip in a van, caring for animals, selling flowers or windsurfing, yes! Everything is possible – or almost – with Barbie. For its defenders, this inspiring facet of the doll is also one of its qualities, in that it shows little girls that nothing is impossible. But Barbie doesn’t always give good advice… As in 1965, when a special “pajama party” box was marketed so that the doll could go through the world again with her friends. In particular, there is a dressing gown and a comb (the base), but also two surprising accessories: a scale and a mini magazine on which is written on the front “how to lose weight? », and on the back, « do not eat! “. An injunction to thinness and suffering, a hell of a good idea, especially when it comes to children… This pack will finally be withdrawn from sale a year later.
Barbie inclusive
A true reflection of society, the doll has long conveyed many clichés and stereotypes. In recent years, however, Barbie has opened up to inclusivity and diversity. It was not until 2016 that a Barbie with “normal” measurements was launched by the brand, an alternative to the unrealistic female body of the original doll. Since then, Mattel also offers dolls with much wider skin and hair colors, providing more representations for little girls and boys. She also represents disability, one doll is in a wheelchair, another with a prosthetic leg. Just recently, the company unveiled a doll with Down syndrome. Lisa McKnight, brand manager, in a statement. The lines are also moving at Barbie.