How Barbie has evolved over time as Stevie Nicks doll announced
Ever since Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959, she's been on a journey of evolution.
From style icon to president, astronaut to fencer, Barbie can be anything. But the dolls – known for their trademark blonde hair, slim physique and white skin – haven't always reflected the women in the society we live in.
In 2015, the brand committed to diversifying, introducing additional skin tones, hair colours and face sculpts, and has since strived to be more of a reflection of the times.
Following the success of this year's Barbie film and Stevie Nicks announcing her namesake doll, we look back at the brand's evolution since the very first doll in 1959, starting with the most recent launch.
Read more: Meet the 'real life Barbie' who models her clothes, car and 'DreamHouse' on the iconic doll (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
October 2023 - Stevie Nicks unveils her own Barbie
In October, Stevie Nicks revealed that Mattel had created a Barbie in her likeness, immortalising her as she was on Fleetwood Mac's 1977 album Rumours. The 75-year-old singer shared that she initially felt apprehensive about her younger self being made into a Barbie, but thanked Mattel for bringing her to life.
"When I look at her, I see my 27-year-old self... All the memories of walking out on a big stage in that black outfit and those gorgeous boots come rushing back... and then I see myself now in her face," Nicks wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
My Stevie @Barbie has been with me now for several months. When Mattel came to me asking if I would like to have a Barbie made in the “Rumours” cover style I was very overwhelmed. Of course I questioned “would she look like me? Would she have my spirit? Would she have my heart…”… pic.twitter.com/JQXjF7XSMK
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) October 2, 2023
July 2023 – Barbie the movie released
No doubt the film boosted the popularity of the iconic dolls further, not only appealing to pre-teens but adults too (especially those who loved Barbie themselves as a child).
April 2023 – First doll with Down’s syndrome
Earlier this year British model Ellie Goldstein introduced the first Barbie with Down's syndrome.
"I'm so happy there's a Barbie with Down’s syndrome," Goldstein says of the launch. "Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honoured and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world."
Read more: 'Barbiecore' continues to reign supreme - is pink a colour you wear?, Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read
2023 – Fashionistas line-up
This year's inclusive Fashionistas line-up includes new dolls wearing braces and a Ken with a prosthetic leg.
“Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves," says Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel.
January 2023 – First doll with scoliosis, Chelsea
Also this year, Barbie doll maker Mattel made history by introducing its first doll with scoliosis.
As part of the line for Barbie's little sister, she features a curvature of the spine and removable back brace, intended to help normalise equipment and encourage children to celebrate inclusion.
Read more: Barbie introduces first doll with scoliosis - what is the condition?, Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read
April 2022 – Queen doll for Platinum Jubilee
The limited-edition doll of Queen Elizabeth II was designed to be "instantly recognisable", with a white gown, blue ribbon adorned with decorations of order, and a tiara modelled on Queen Mary's fringe tiara, which the late monarch wore on her wedding day.
May 2022 – First transgender Barbie
Laverne Cox – an Emmy-winner and the first transgender woman of colour to have a leading role on a scripted TV show – who the Barbie is based on, expressed her delight at the time.
"Now kids get to dream with a Laverne Cox Barbie, the first transgender Barbie," she said in a video.
August 2022 – First Barbie doll with hearing aids
Actor and ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who has been deaf since birth, said at the time: “When I was little, I would draw hearing aids on to my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences."
March 2021 – DJ Clara Amfo Barbie
The BBC Radio One DJ had a doll made in her likeness to honour her work as a vocal advocate for racial equality.
March 2020 – World champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith Barbie
A doll version was created of the world champion sprinter – the fastest woman in British history – to honour her achievements and inspire the next generation of women.
2019-2020 – Diverse Barbie Fashionistas
The Fashionistas collection featured Barbie dolls with no hair, vitiligo, wheelchairs, a prosthetic limb, afro hair and a Ken doll with 'long rooted hair'.
2019 – Gender inclusive Barbies
Mattel launched a line of dolls to be gender-inclusive and free of labels, with options for kids to style them with short or long hair, in a skirt or trousers, or both.
Read more: Barbie manufacturer Mattel launches 'gender-inclusive' toy line, Yahoo Life UK
2018 – Barbie role models
#MoreRoleModels, honoured extraordinary women from around the world on International Women’s Day, including Frida Kahlo, Katherine Johnson and Amelia Earhart.
2017 – First Barbie with a hijab
The doll was modelled on Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to compete at the Olympics while wearing a hijab, who won a bronze medal in fencing at the 2016 Rio Games.
Muhammad wrote on Twitter at the time, "I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true."
2016 – Barbie Curvy, Petite and Tall
Barbie introduced three new body types to better reflect real women and girls.
2015 – Barbie Vlogger
Barbie launched a YouTube vlog to talk to girls about issues they face. The animated series covered topics including depression, bullying and how girls often apologise when they don't have anything to be sorry for.
1992 – First President Barbie
1985 – CEO Barbie
1980 – First Black and Hispanic dolls named Barbie
1968 – One of the first Black dolls, Christie
1967 – First Celebrity Barbie
1965 – Astronaut Barbie
1959 – First Barbie
Additional reporting PA.
