More than seven decades ago, the image that would evolve into Barbie first showed up in a German newspaper. Today, actress Margot Robbie becomes the embodiment of the iconic doll in “Barbie,” which opens Friday in theaters.
The 1952 comic character Bild Lilli often described as “sassy and raunchy” probably best recalls Robbie’s DC Comics role as Harley Quinn in her “Suicide Squad” series rather than her newest role as Stereotypical Barbie—at least as the movie the movie opens.
Below we’ve illustrated a dozen faces in the history of the doll that took Barbie from a German gag gift to the doll, launched in 1959 and beloved by millions, to now a live-action movie.
How a comic evolved into Movie Star Barbie
Bild Lilli was a German comic strip character created for the newspaper Bild-Zeitung. She was sassy and raunchy. She has been described as a prostitute but, more accurately, she was a kept woman who dated rich men. The doll is based on the cartoon.
The first doll sold in Europe was based on the Bild Lilli comic strip and was meant to be a gag gift for adults.
Barbie creator Ruth Handler first saw the Bild Lilli doll during a family trip in Europe. It’s clear Bild Lilli influenced the look of the first Barbie. Handler had to tone down the sexuality of Bild Lilli so Barbie was more appealing to parents.
A new face appeared with the Twist and Turn Barbie, who had a waist that rotated. The emphasis was on realism, from the body movements to the facial features.
In the 1970s, everyone was “going to the beach and having a suntan,” says Carol Spencer, longtime Barbie designer. The Malibu Barbie reflected a more relaxed, carefree lifestyle.
One of the most iconic faces, the Superstar face showed Barbie smiling for the first time.
In the 1960s, Mattel responded to the civil rights movement by introducing black dolls into the Barbie family, including Christie and Julia. It wasn’t until 1980 that Barbie herself was black.
Designer Bob Mackie first used the face for his Neptune Fantasy Barbie. Mackie described the dolls he designed for Mattel as “very sophisticated compared to the average Barbie.”
Barbie got an alternative makeover. The tokidoki doll featured Barbie covered in tattoos and with a little cactus pet named Bastardino. Tokidoki is a Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand created by an Italian artist.
Barbie is creating her own business (a toy company, perhaps?). She wears a pink shift dress and carries a tablet and smartphone. Over her 55 years, Barbie has had more than 150 careers.
For International Women’s Day, Mattel announces plans to launch 17 new dolls honoring “historical and modern-day role models from around the world.” The new dolls include famed pilot Amelia Earhart, artist Frida Kahlo and Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim.
Contributing: Photos by Mattel and Reinhard Beuthien; Illustration by Jeff Dionise; Design by Ramon Padilla, Tory Hargro, Jolie Lee, Jerry Mosemak, Chad Palmer
