Publishing April 16, 2024
Take an enthralling and richly illustrated trip through the official real-world story of the Barbie® doll—from groundbreaking toy to beacon of female empowerment.
Created in partnership with Mattel Inc. to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Barbie and featuring rare images from their archives, Barbie: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy is a stunning tribute to the beloved pop culture icon that has echoed the taste, style, and events of every decade she has experienced.
Recall the joy of opening a brand-new Barbie box through the immersive page of this sumptuously designed book chronicling every step in the beloved doll’s journey. From the visionary genesis of Barbie by entrepreneurial pioneer Ruth Handler in 1959, journey through decades of evolution, and witness the iconic doll's enduring legacy, extending even to the record-breaking film of 2023 and beyond, including:
- The Birth of Barbie – Learn about Ruth Handler’s groundbreaking vision for a doll that transcended conventional play time, that allowed little girls to play at being women. Explore her triumph over skepticism, particularly from male colleagues who doubted the appeal of an adult-like doll for young girls and witness the resilience that led to the creation of the immensely successful Barbie doll, shattering preconceptions.
- Breaking Boundaries – Explore the path that Barbie took from teenage fashion model to a symbol of empowerment with over 250 diverse careers. Marvel at Barbie’s pioneering roles, such as becoming astronaut in 1965, beating man to the moon by four years. Follow her trailblazing path into male-dominated professions like a Marine Corps sergeant, a business executive, and even the Presidential candidate.
- Reflecting Diversity – See how a doll that started with a choice of either blonde or brunette hair now boasts over 175 looks with 35 skin tones, 97 hair styles, and 9 body types, with those numbers growing each year.
- Barbie in Fashion and Art – Explore how the fashion and art worlds have influenced and been influenced by Barbie, from limited edition Barbie fashions from premiere designers like Christian Dior and Diane Von Furstenberg to an iconic portrait of Barbie by Andy Warhol.
- Barbie in Pop Culture – Discover the profound impact Barbie has had on pop culture across various realms. From the rise of Barbie bloggers and collectors to the groundbreaking success of her movies, including Greta Gerwig's historic achievement as the female director of the highest-grossing
domestic release in history, discover the enduring influence of Barbie on the cultural landscape.
Barbie: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy reveals how Barbie is more than a toy—she is an ideal that lives forever, encouraging girls to persist through to become whatever they dream to be.
About the author
Robin Gerber is a best-selling author and historian. She is the author of the bestseller Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage (Penguin/Portfol
Publishing April 16, 2024 ∙ Hardcover, 176 pages ∙ $24.99 USD, $32.99 CAN ∙ ISBN: 9780760391228
Epic Ink is an imprint of The Quarto Group, Inc.
