For the first time since 1966 (when she became a Pan Am stewardess), Barbie got a new job. In 1964, Barbie went to hospitals as a candy striper, but her new job as a surgeon led her to the operating room. To mark the first anniversary of the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, Barbie made a plastic version of the royal couple. The toys were sold in 2012 and later went on display at an art gallery in Madrid. Barbie also released another tattooed version that same year. The TokiDoki Barbie was meant for adult collectors and not marketed to children, but some parents weren't excited about the prospect of a doll with permanent ink. A year into her new single life—and a year after another bid for president—Barbie competed in and won “American Idol.” She channeled her inner Britney Spears and sang “Oops!... I Did It Again.” Barbie was very active in the late ‘90s. She entered the male-dominated sports of Major League Baseball and NASCAR. Plus, she joined a soccer team. A version of Barbie also got a body makeover. The Really Rad Barbie came with flat feet and a bigger waist but smaller hips and breasts. In a time when beards were less mainstream, Mattel released Shaving Fun Ken. Kids could lather up Ken's face and use a toy razor that would remove his scruff with warm water. Barbie and Ken also went into space for the 30th Anniversary of “Star Trek.” Unlike Ken, Barbie did not have her own phaser.

Barbie Work Outfit - Etsy UK Barbie Work Outfit - Etsy UK

When Barbie turned 30, Mattel celebrated at New York City's Lincoln Center. Guests received a Pink Jubilee Barbie who wore a silver lamé gown. Barbie also became a representative for UNICEF when she started her third decade. Here, actresses Jane Curtin and Susan Saint James are seen holding a special edition Barbie Doll Benefiting UNICEF. In 2003, religious police in Saudi Arabia claimed Barbie was immoral. "Jewish Barbie dolls, with their revealing clothes and shameful postures, accessories, and tools are a symbol of decadence to the perverted West. Let us beware of her dangers and be careful," said the Committee for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The claim didn't hurt sales a bit: Barbie had already been banned in Saudi Arabia for a decade. As part of The Career Collection, Barbie got her police badge in 1993. The limited-edition doll came with a uniform and hat, but Barbie also had a white and gold dress to change into after work. She also became a U.S. Army medic. In 1974, Mattel released a promotional Barbie to celebrate the doll's 16th birthday. Part of Times Square in New York City was renamed Barbie Boulevard for a week to mark the occasion. Barbie also became Miss America that year. Though some say Barbie is a career-oriented feminist, the doll's body size has always been a source of controversy. If she was real, Barbie's original waist would have measured an impossibly small 18 inches. While her midsection expanded and her chest shrank a couple of times over the decades, it wasn't until 2016 that Mattel introduced figures other than the original version. The Fashionista line now features numerous body types, skin tones, and hairstyles. In the fall of 2019, Barbies with prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs hit the market. In 2020, Mattel released a new line of Barbie Extra dolls that showcases a wide variety of personalities and styles.

Designing duo The Blonds created their eponymous Barbie to mimic the style of a drag queen. The Blonds Barbie wasn't meant for children. Instead, the stylish doll was a collector's item for adults. After Mattel surveyed 8,000 moms, they found that the majority of mothers said they were worried their daughters didn't have enough female role models. In response, the company released the Inspiring Women line. The series features 17 role models, including artist Frida Kahlo, mathematician Katherine Johnson, and aviator Amelia Earhart. Barbie sales in the fourth quarter of 2018 reached a five-year high. In 1990, Barbie was a bridesmaid for her best friend Midge. Collectors could also get a special edition Party Sensation Barbie, who came dressed in head-to-toe pink. In 1961, Barbie became a registered nurse and a stewardess for American Airlines. She also got a boyfriend. A blonde or brunette Ken, a doll named after Handler's son, came with a closet full of clothes. His hair was originally molded and glued on, but designers switched to painted-on plastic after the hair came off too easily. Twiggy was the first celebrity to get her own Barbie. Since then, Cher, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, and many others have all been immortalized by Mattel. Barbie also started twisting at the waist, and designers gave her a more youthful face with wide-open blue eyes.

Barbie Work Clothes - Etsy UK Barbie Work Clothes - Etsy UK

Malibu Barbie hit stores in 1971. This new version was tan with Barbie's iconic, long blonde hair. Instead of pursed lips, she showed off a white grin and started looking straight forward instead of to the side. Barbie ditched the ponytail in favor of a short “bubble cut” in 1962. The hairstyle came in several shades, including brunette and titian (another way of saying red). Her fashion sense mirrored that of Jacqueline Kennedy, including a pillbox hat. Barbie was also ready to entertain in her first Dreamhouse. Two years after cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space, Miss Astronaut Barbie hit the market. She dressed in a metallic space suit with zipper boots. 1965 also marked the controversial release of “Slumber Party Barbie,” whose accessories included a diet book with tips like “don't eat” and a scale set to 110 pounds. The toy maker excluded the scale the following year, but kept the book. Though some say Barbie is a career-oriented feminist, the doll's body size has always been a source of controversy. If she was real, Barbie's original waist would have measured an impossibly small 18 inches. While her midsection expanded and her chest shrank a couple of times over the decades, it wasn't until 2016 that Mattel introduced figures other than the original version. The Fashionista line now features numerous body types, skin tones, and hairstyles. In the fall of 2019, Barbies with prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs hit the market. In 2020, Mattel released a new line of Barbie Extra dolls that showcases a wide variety of personalities and styles. As part of the “You Can Be Anything” campaign—which encouraged young girls to explore a variety of professions—Mattel introduced the Shero line. One popular doll was inspired by director Ava DuVernay; it sold out within hours. Since then, the line of dolls has honored women including Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim, plus-size model Ashley Graham (pictured), and ballerina Misty Copeland. Barbie also took to YouTube to become a vlogger in 2015. She encouraged girls to stop apologizing so much and also brought up topics like depression and bullying.As the ‘80s approached, Barbie wanted to relax in the sun and not worry about sunscreen. Sun Lovin' Malibu Barbie came with “a peek-a-boo tan” that showed underneath her two-piece turquoise bikini. Jane Fonda released her first exercise home video in 1982. Mattel followed the workout craze two years later with Great Shape Barbie. She was an aerobics instructor who donned a sweatband, full-body leotard, and leg warmers. Commercials claimed that working out kept Barbie looking great for a date. Barbie made her second run for president in 2000. Her hair was cut into a short style reminiscent of Hillary Clinton, who was the first lady at the time. Barbie also ran for the highest elected office in 2004, 2008, and 2012, when she ran the “I Can Be...President” campaign.

Working Out Barbie - Etsy UK Working Out Barbie - Etsy UK

Barbie became fully poseable in 1970. She didn't just bend at the knees and twist at the waist; she could do splits and bend her arms.The same year Barbie became a Mars explorer, Barbie Café—licensed by Mattel—opened in Taipei, Taiwan. The company said it hoped the restaurant would show off the fashion behind the Barbie brand. The restaurant has since closed. A Barbie-themed restaurant opened in China in 2009 and closed two years later. The 1992 version of Teen Talk Barbie voiced her disdain for arithmetic when she said, “math class is tough.” The American Association of University Women didn't like the message this sent to young girls. Mattel didn't recall the doll, but parents could switch their doll for one that wouldn't say the phrase. Mattel's president at the time, Jill E. Barad, admitted to the error. "In hindsight, the phrase 'math class is tough,' while correct for many students both male and female, should not have been included,” said Barad. Totally Hair Barbie hit stores the same year, becoming the best selling Barbie of all time. She was re-released in 2017. Mattel introduced the “We Can Do Anything” campaign, so Barbie became part-businesswoman, part-party girl with her Day-to-Night kit. She was dressed in a pink power suit and had a calculator and briefcase. Her skirt flipped inside out to reveal evening wear. In 1985, she also became a veterinarian and a teacher—getting a promotion from her 1965 role as a student teacher.