Barbie Diamond Castle Barbie at 50

"You've come along way baby" or have you? In 1959 Ruth Handler made the first Barbie doll named after her daughter Barbie. Ruth styled her after the German Lilli dolls, which were modeled after a tarty young flirt created by cartoonist Reinhard Beuthin in the West German newspaper Bild.

She arrived all 111/2 inches of her at age 17 and her full name was Barbie Millicent Roberts. Her parents George and Margaret Roberts iptomized the average apple pie family from the US heartland were ficticious.

The first Barbie came in a striped bathing suit with breasts and appeared quite sexy. Her creator felt that by having Barbie grown up and with breasts this would help young girls come to terms with their own bodies. Made of flesh-toned plastic, the first Barbie® dolls wore a black and white knit swimsuit that was used through 1961. In 1959 the accessories were white sunglasses with blue lenses, black open-toe shoes, and hoop earrings.

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Over the many years Barbie has come in many forms from astronaut to Olympian to Biker and now sports a tattoo. For many of us who were struggling to establish careers and run families at the same time we found the emphasis on body image and wardrobe not the role model that we wished for our daughters. Never the less Barbi remained a favorite with youg girls. It is estimated that the average North American girl ownes at least nine Barbies. With the creation of Barbie Diamond Castle her popularity once again rose and for many was a more tolerant form of fantasy. Many felt that youngester are better able to disaccociate themselves from a fary tale figure than a copy of a real person. If Barbie was real she would be 5-foot-6, weigh about 110 pounds, wear a size 7 shoe and measure 39-18-33. To many these are unrealistic measurements and combined with Barbie's perfect features send the wrong message about body to young girls. However the young girls love her and it is said that there are three sold every second somewhere in the world.

Matell Celebrates Barbie at 50

Mattell has thrown a birthday party at an actual Malibu beach house redesigned by Jonathan Adlerbrought. The Colin Cowie planned party saw over 250 of Barbie's closest celebrity and designer friends strut down the pink carpet to sign a larger than life Barbie™ birthday card. Designer appearances included Trina Turk, Tarina Tarantino and The Blonds. Notable celebrities also partied the night away, including Heidi Klum, Ginnifer Goodwin, Lauren Bosworth, Aimee Teegarden, Jonathan Adler (of course!), Kourtney & Khloe Kardashian and Melissa Joan Hart.

Matell launched several new dolls to mark this occasion. In its fashion collection there is the #1 Bathing Suit Barbie Doll Gold Label Collection. A remake of the fashion featured on the original 1959. The original Barbie® doll got a softer look in 1960. Arched eyebrows changed to curved. Pupils became blue, accented with either blue or brown eyeliner. Dolls came in either blonde or brunette. Gorgeous red lips, painted red nails, and blush added to her beauty. Accessories included gold hoop or pearl stud earrings, black open toe shoes, and white sunglasses with blue lenses. This new retro Barbie doll is in the black and white striped bathing suit doll that adds the sparkle of sequins and a classic topper coat stunning new details with a couture twist for today. From the Barbie Fashion Model Collection. The striking and graphic black and white bathing suit which took a first bow in 1959, inspires a celebratory 50th anniversary re-imagining by Robert Best. She wears the curvy stripes with fabulous sequins, goldtone jewelry and classic ponytail. Genuine Silkstone body. From the Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Doll cannot stand alone. Bring her home today!

50th Anniversary Barbie Glamour doll Gold Label Collection. A remake of the fashion featured on the original 1959 doll. Adds new details with a couture twist for today.Celebrating Barbie doll's 50th Anniversary a beautiful glamour doll designed by Robert Best. From a golden glittery gown to lustrous locks to an equisitely painted face, she's a head turner all right! "this is one of these exceptional dolls that really stands for the celebratory quality of the entire year and that colletors are sure to love." From From the Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Featuring everything she needs to remain a timeless beauty, this is one Barbie you won't want to miss out on! As this is a must have gift or collector's item make sure that you ORDER TODAY to avoid disappointment

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