Did you know that Barbie‘s main man, Ken, used to drive an American Graffiti-style hot rod? Or that the first Barbie Dreamhouse was little more than a diorama in a three-sided cardboard box?
Continuing the 60th-anniversary celebration of Mattel‘s iconic Barbie brand, the Quarto Group will delve into toy history with the new book Barbie Forever: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy, released through its Epic Ink imprint. The new book from author and historian Robin Gerber offers an in-depth new look at the lasting legacy of the doll, presented with a treasure trove of vintage photos, all-new interviews, original design sketches, archival advertisements, a foldout timeline, and more.
According to the publisher, “Barbie Forever explores how the doll came to be, what it takes to create one of her many looks, and how her legacy continues to influence the world. Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has been breaking boundaries and highlighting major moments in art, fashion, and culture. She has been an interpreter of taste and style in every historic period she has lived through and has reflected female empowerment through the more than 200 careers she has embodied.”
For the 60th anniversary, Mattel continues to roll out an array of new initiatives for Barbie, including the recently announced Barbie Truck: Totally Throwback Tour. A motion picture starring Margot Robbie (Once Upon a Time In… Hollywood) as Barbie is in development with Mattel Films and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Barbie Forever will hit stores on Sept. 24.
Photos: The Quarto Group
