Without a doubt, one of the most romanticised and beloved eras of the past, is the 90’s. The iconic decade birthed many phenomenal pop culture moments and made way for some of the best street style that is still referenced and emulated today. The influential decade was of course of great importance to the incredibly iconic Barbie doll. Follow us as we time travel back to the 90s and talk you through some of Barbie’s greatest hits.
Barbie’s Beginnings
The original Barbie doll was born on the 9th of March, 1959, her full name being Barbara Millicent Roberts after the creator, Ruth Handler’s daughter. Sporting a black and white bathing suit, the bombshell came in both blonde and brunette options. Two years later Barbie’s boyfriend Ken was introduced, and one year on, the two moved into their first Dreamhouse. Since her debut she has gone on to have over two hundred careers, more than one billion different style ensembles whilst also having quite the extensive friendship group, what an accomplished young woman she is.
Barbie’s Big Moments
Totally Hair Barbie 1992
Since the first ever Barbie in 1959, there have been countless different versions made. So in the entirety of her sixty three years, with countless hairstyles, outfits and occupations, which doll has earned the title of best seller? Of course this prestigious title was taken out by Totally Hair Barbie, one of the many successful 90’s Barbies. The feminine figurine was rolled out in 1992 and has sold over 10 million copies. She featured hair that reached all the way down to her toes and was sold with varying different hair accessories like the quintessentially 90’s scrunchie, as well as hair gel and a comb amongst others. The doll also came in several different iterations, straying from simply the classic blonde haired standard. Between 1992 and 1995, Totally Hair Barbie held down the impressive title of being the world’s best selling toy sale.
Barbie Runs For President 1992
With over 200 occupations to date, Barbie has done just about everything. Ranging from working her poses as a model, to saving lives as a doctor, she has quite the colourful resumé. However, without a doubt one of her biggest career goals to date, is in 1992 when Barbie ran for President for the first time, a huge milestone and an inspiration to the little girls that loved her.
Barbie Girl 1997
The 90’s was an incredibly influential and iconic time for music, with many musicians across multiple genres choosing to lace their upbeat songs with topical commentary. One of the most notable versions of this, is the now beloved Barbie themed song, Barbie Girl, performed by Europop band, Aqua. As with just about every cultural icon, Barbie has drawn her fair share of critique. In the dance pop classic, the wonderfully pink filled music video pokes fun at Barbie, evidently not seeing her as a symbol of female empowerment and innocence. Aqua’s recording company was in fact sued by Mattel, Barbie’s manufacturing company. However, in a full circle moment, the song despite drawing its fair share of criticism at the time and creating a somewhat negative commentary on the doll, is now firmly cemented in Barbie culture and is beloved by Barbie fans and critics alike.
Barbie’s Best 90’s Style
Barbie may have been a children’s toy, but her style transcended the age range she was marketed towards. Never one to shy away from a trend, Barbie sported many of the major fashion styles popular in the 90s and taught us some major fashion secrets that are as relevant now as they were back then.
Chic Hair Everywhere
Barbie taught us your style and glamour shouldn’t be limited to simply your outfit. 1993 saw the release of the Glitter Hair Barbie. Alongside the doll’s long blonde tresses were packs of glitter gel, so young children could finesse their figurine to resemble disco inspired glamour, or perhaps a more subtle shimmer highlight. This iteration of the doll came out following the popularity of Totally Hair Barbie the year prior. However despite being sold primarily as a hair focused toy, Barbie’s style was impeccable and mirrored the trends of the time. Styled in a pop pink mini slip skirt with a graphic tee on top, she taught us the valuable skill of how to restyle that attention grabbing garb into something more casual.
Wedding Season
In 1998, the tail end of the decade, as with most fashion icons, Barbie collaborated with a major designer. Vera Wang Barbie turned heads wherever she went in a deliciously 90s halter neck gown with black trim, putting an edgy spin on the soft silhouette. The Barbie doll no doubt caused a sensation, not simply with the children with whom she was gifted, but also with the mothers that purchased her. Barbie taught us, for events, to go classic, but it never hurts to put your own twist on things.
Barbie has grown exponentially from her humble beginnings in that black and white strapless swimsuit back in 1959. She has transformed from simply a doll into a cultural phenomenon, inspiring music, fashion, art, and little children around the globe. It is no wonder that such an iconic doll had so many major moments in the 90’s, an equally iconic and influential decade.
