Ken joins the partyĮarring Magic Ken came into being in 1993. The immediate success of Barbie was largely attributed to the fact that she was an adult-bodied woman, as opposed to most dolls of that time that were representations of infants. Retailing at $3, the first few dolls replicated the glamour of 1950s Hollywood stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. Barbara Millicent Roberts was available in either brunette or blonde versions.

The first Barbie wore a zebra-print swimsuit, with a topknot ponytail and had a pair of sunglasses as an accessory. The brainchild of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, the first doll was named after Handler's daughter Barbara. AFPīarbie's birthday is celebrated on March 9, the day she made her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York City in 1959. The first Barbie from 1959, which is on display at The World of Barbie, Santa Monica, California. Last year alone, the dolls generated $1.49 billion in sales, according to data company Statista. After many physical evolutions and more than 200 careers on her CV, Barbie is still one of the most hardworking and bestselling dolls in history.

The excitement is a testament to the doll's enduring popularity 64 years after it was launched by toymaker Mattel. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Greta Gerwig, it's pegged for opening-weekend success at the box office by industry insiders. While its release has been delayed in the UAE, it seems no one is immune to the buzz created by the comedy's impending arrival.Īlready a social media and marketing triumph, Barbie features a stellar cast including Margot Robbie in the titular role, Ryan Gosling as her friend Ken, as well as Dame Helen Mirren, Dua Lipa, Issa Rae and Simu Liu.

After more than 40 animated made-for-TV movies, the first live-action Barbie film is set to hit big screens around the world this weekend.

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