Life in Plastic, It's Fantastic! 💕
Barbie is more than a movie, it's a moment.
Hey Barbie! Hi Ken!
Greetings from Barbieland! Between the star-studded cast, trip down memory lane, and the fashion (it’s SO good) - I can’t remember the last time a film was this FUN!
I know it’s been a minute since you’ve heard from us (👋👋👋), but I’m so excited to announce we’re launching a new audio series called the Chief of Stuff “Bored Meeting.” Starting August 8th, wherever you listen to your podcasts, you can join myself, the team, and our guests for a deep dive on well…..cool, interesting, and topical STUFF!
Barbie Girl
If someone were to call me a ‘Barbie’ a month ago, I would have been insulted. Even Barbie’s producer and lead, Margot Robbie, admitted she had a negative association and it’s what prompted her to team up with notable director, Greta Gerwig, to show Barbie in a new light and take her back to her roots. This isn’t a spoiler per se, but at the core of the film is the belief that “you should have the freedom to be yourself - and you are limitless.”
Barbie has so many layers, nuance, and history that we have a dedicated podcast episode (stay tuned!), but naturally we couldn’t cover everything in one conversation. So in this article, we’re giving you a sneak peek - to the creation of Barbie, the history of the color Pink, and why this film stands out among the rest. We won’t give anything away, but hopefully this primer helps set the stage for ‘Barbieland.”
An Icon
Barbie's origin story traces back to the 1950s, but its roots actually go back a decade earlier in Hamburg, Germany. The popular comic strip "Bild Lili" featured a post-war high-end call girl with wit and charm. In 1953, a 3D doll based on Lili was marketed as an adult novelty toy, but surprisingly, kids loved it too. Ruth Handler, founder of Mattel, got inspired when she saw her daughter Barbara enjoying the Lili dolls she had brought back from a trip. Barbara seemed to use her imagination in a different way when playing with “Lili.” This sparked the idea to create Barbie, named after Barbara, who made her debut in 1959, and Ken (named after Ruth’s son) quickly followed in 1963.
Unlike other dolls of the time, Barbie broke conventions as a financially independent figure. She wasn't confined to the role of a housewife; instead, she embraced over 200 careers, from astronaut to president, defying stereotypes. Ruth Handler's vision was to empower girls to be anything they wanted through Barbie, challenging the norm.
In her autobiography, Ruth Handler reinforced that Barbie could do anything, writing that her philosophy of Barbie, “was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman had choices”.
While Barbie faced criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards, her true essence lay in being a strong role model for girls, representing a powerful female leader defined by her own achievements rather than her relationships. Throughout the years, Mattel continued to showcase influential women like Rosa Parks and Jane Goodall, promoting diversity through Barbie.
As an adult, the common perception of Barbie might be pink, plastic, and superficial. However, understanding her history as a symbol of freedom and choice reminds us of the empowering message she carries. Barbie's legacy continues to inspire, proving that you can be anything you want to be—an enduring sentiment that throughout the film makes us fall in love with Barbie all over again.
Think Pink
Barbie's iconic color, pink, takes center stage in the film, saturating ‘Barbieland’ to the point where they ran out of pink paint during production! But the influence of pink extends far beyond the world of Barbie. In fact, it's a color with a rich history, dating back over 1.1 billion years, as the oldest recorded color found in ancient rocks.
While pink has long been associated with femininity, it wasn't always this way. In the early 1900s, boys often wore pink, considered a softer shade of red associated with strength and war, while girls were dressed in blue for its delicate and dainty tone. However, the tables turned when First Lady Mamie Eisenhower popularized pink among women, earning the White House the nickname "The Pink Palace" during the 1950s.
It took around two decades after Barbie's debut for her to consistently sport her signature pink color. Despite her strong femininity and association with pink, Barbie's remarkable achievements, from becoming a doctor to a lawyer and president, showed young girls that being feminine doesn't limit one's dreams.
Today pink is used as a symbol of strength, womanhood and power in protests for women's rights, and rejects the former meek and subservient connotations with the color. It’s also universally flattering, looking great on everyone, whether they're Barbie or a Ken!
Embracing the vibrant color, moviegoers, including our team, happily donned their favorite pink ensembles, transforming the cinema into a sea of pink for the viewing. Barbie's influence on the world of pink is undeniable, and it continues to inspire and empower people of all ages, proving that there's much more to the color than meets the eye.
Not just a Movie, it’s a Moment
Barbie is already making box office history and is expected to achieve a groundbreaking $700 million debut (the most for any female director). The film is a treasure trove for movie enthusiasts, where Director Greta Gerwig expertly weaves cinematic references, iconic costumes, and many easter eggs throughout.
Before the release, the press tour was not only a visual feast, but an homage at Barbie’s iconic fashion. Margot Robbie’s stylist Andrew Mukamal paid tribute to generations of Barbie fans by recreating looks of signature Barbies including, ‘Solo in the Spotlight Barbie’ from 1960, ‘Day to Night Barbie’ from 1985 and my personal favorite, ‘Ultimate Hair Barbie’ from 1992.
Barbieland, the female-run pink paradise, is filled with clever and iconic cult-classic film nods. The film begins with a hilarious re-interpretation of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, there’s a pink brick road reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, and even a Matrix-inspired moment, the movie skillfully sprinkles nostalgia into its captivating narrative. Even Mt. Rushmore's presidents are replaced by iconic Barbie dolls, showcasing the artful inspirations of Gerwig and Robbie.
Amidst the imaginative storyline, Barbie's tea with Ruth Handler at the Mattel headquarters holds a meaningful Easter egg. Their touch, mirroring Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam," symbolizes Barbie's free will and her journey through the real world. The film also cleverly references real-life dolls through Ryan Gosling's portrayal of Ken, transitioning into a persona reminiscent of Sylvester Stallone's "Italian Stallion."
Breaking away from past conventions, Barbie transcends the limitations placed on female leads in mainstream movies. It liberates female characters from stereotypical roles or romance story-lines and offers a fresh perspective on diverse and empowering roles for women on the big screen. On top of being an entertaining and fun film, it sparks important conversations about equality. Most importantly, Barbie successfully redefines the portrayal of women beyond mere accessories and what it means to be a “Barbie Girl.” Barbie is a feminist movie, but it’s also something more - it’s a moment and perhaps even a manifesto. Mostly, it made me tremendously proud to be a woman.
Reframing a narrative is not easy, but Greta Gerwig has done the impossible. Now if someone calls me a ‘Barbie’ I am going to enthusiastically and wholeheartedly embrace it. Because “I AM a Barbie” - I’m Editor Barbie, CEO Barbie, Investor Barbie, soon to be Podcast Barbie!
Life contains multitudes - so Barbie (or Ken), just be yourself! There’s a place for you right here in Barbieland.
Bye Barbie, Bye Ken! 👋👋👋
💗💗💗💗💗
COS Barbie (aka Sarah)
