1. Krista Mae Sebastian
Cultural Transformation
of Barbie

2. • Harold Mattson and
Elliot Handler
• Ruth Handler
• Barbara and Ken
Handler
Indroducing the Family

3. • March 9, 1959
• Barbie Millicent
Roberts
• Leo
• Robert and
Margareth
Roberts

5. 2009 1959

6. • First version
• Blonde/brunette hair
• Blue eyes
• “American way”
– Fashion, haircut, and make-up

7. Midge
Barbie’s best friend

8. • 1967
• Cousin Francie
• Colored Francie
• Unsuccessful
• Nonconforming
features
– Color
– Costume

10. • Specialists – “Ethnically correct
doll”
– Fuller lips
– Broader noses
– Wider hips
– Higher butts
– Culturally specific clothes
– Variations in hair

11. • White Barbie – unsuccessful
– “The too beautiful doll”
• Smiling expression
– Cover mouths
• Eyes: wide open
• Confident/arrogant
– Reserved
• Clothes: striking, independent,
easy money, and expensive
• Unappealing

12. • Mild expression
• Slightly parted
lips
• Brown eyes
• Pale skin
• Smaller breasts
• Flat feet
• Hair pulled back

13. Bright colors on a cotton printed
dress and a traditional braid

14. Blond braids, starched cap, long
striped skirt and clogs make up
famous folkloric costumes

15. Long black hair, headdress and lei
of tropical flowers, and grass skirt
for dancing the hula

16. Printed dress with bright tribal
designs

17. Traditional sari and jewelry and
a caste mark on her forehead

18. Asian features and
costumes add exoticism

19. • Mattel Inc.
• Handler family
• Lilli
• Barbie Millicent Roberts (1959)
• First Barbie = White Barbie
• First Black Barbie
• Distinguishing Features

20. Works Cited
• Chin, Elizabeth. "Ethnically correct dolls: toying with the race
industry." American Anthropologist 101.2 (1999): 305-21.
OmniFile Full Text Mega. Web. 2 Nov. 2010.
• Ducille, Ann. "Dyes and Dolls: Multicultural Barbie and the
Merchandising of Difference." Differences: A Journal of
Feminist Cultural Studies 6.1 (1994): 46. Academic Search
Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2 Nov. 2010.
• Flickr.com
• Honigsberg, Peter Jan. "A Barbie doll story." Phi Delta Kappan
77.3 (1995): 252. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 2
Nov. 2010.
• Tosa, Marco. Barbie : Four Decades of Fashion, Fantasy, and
Fun. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998. Print.