The Barbie Movie & The Barbie’s Evolution: From Controversy to Body Positivity

Hey there, fabulous ladies of Tiff’s Closet!

With the Barbie movie having opened on July 21, 2023, it seems like a pink bomb has exploded across the Universe, and everywhere we look, we encounter the color pink and the iconic figure of Barbie. Every time I log into my Facebook account, my feed is inundated with Barbie licensed apparel, Barbie shows on HGTV, Barbie Dream house vacation on AirBNB, and various other Barbie-related content. This constant exposure serves as a reminder of the significant transformation I have undergone since my ‘Barbie’ days.

As a plus-size woman who has been a Barbie fan for as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by Barbie’s world. She seemed to have the most glamorous jobs, wore the most stylish outfits, and embarked on the most thrilling adventures, all while being accompanied by her charming boyfriend, Ken. She appeared to have it all – a dream house, a dream car, and a seemingly perfect life, always radiating with happiness and popularity. As a child, I aspired to become just like Barbie when I grew up, but with time, I realized how “different” I was from her. The disparity in our appearances became apparent, and I soon came to the realization that I could never be as thin and conventionally “pretty” as she was.

I am certain that many of you can empathize with my sentiments. It took me numerous years of growth and self-discovery to learn how to embrace myself as I am and perceive myself as even more beautiful than Barbie. However, this journey was undeniably challenging, and each one of us endured immense pain while trying to establish a sense of beauty and acceptance that defied the unrealistic standards perpetuated by Hollywood and the media.

Barbie’s journey has had its fair share of highs and lows & controversies including racism & FBI. Barbie was inspired by a German doll based on a comic strip character of a sassy call girl called Lilli. Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, saw potential in this adult-looking doll, and voila, Barbie was born. The first Doll was sold in 1958 & in March of 1959, Barbie was officially introduced to the world. Despite being ridiculed by all competitors for an adult looking doll with big boobs, named after Ruth’s daughter, Barbara, Barbie quickly became a cultural icon. In the first year alone, Mattel sold a staggering 351,000 Barbie dolls!

But Barbie’s journey wasn’t all smooth sailing. The early versions of Barbie came a weight loss book and a scale set at 110 pounds. This led to criticism about promoting unhealthy body images. Over the years, Barbie faced several other controversies. There was the “Growing Up Skipper” doll, which could grow taller and develop breasts by rotating her arm, causing quite a stir. Then there was the “Earring Magic Ken,” which was seen as fitting nearly every early 90s gay stereotype and was eventually discontinued. 

Barbie also faced racial insensitivity accusations with the “Oreo Fun Barbie” and “Ritz Cracker Barbie,” both of which were recalled. And let’s not forget the “Pregnant Midge” doll, which came with a pregnant belly but no wedding ring or partner, leading to criticism for promoting teen pregnancy.

 As Barbie aimed to embody progressive values for women and trailblaze in fields traditionally not accepted for women, there were some missteps along the way. One notable example is the “I Can Be a Computer Engineer” book. In this book, Barbie relies on boys to do the actual tech work, a portrayal that was criticized for reinforcing gender stereotypes.

Then came the Video Girl Barbie, which could record 30 minutes of video. It was immediately flagged by the FBI as potentially being used to record inappropriate material and promoting child pornography. It was immediately recalled & discontinued!

Back in 1997, they decided to introduce Becky, a new friend for Barbie who happened to use a wheelchair. It was a cool move, right? More inclusivity, more representation – all good stuff. But here’s the kicker: Becky’s wheelchair couldn’t fit through the door of Barbie’s Dream House. Talk about a facepalm moment! It just goes to show, even when you’re trying to do something positive, you’ve got to think it all the way through.

In 2016, Mattel made a significant stride in the world of dolls by introducing a curvy Barbie. This was a pivotal moment for those of us who had yearned for a doll that mirrored our body type. The curvy Barbie, with her fuller figure and wider hips, was a refreshing shift in a world that often glorifies thinness. Although the curvy Barbie was a size 14 – the average size of US women at the time (which is now size 16-18) – it didn’t quite represent the plus-size women like me. Nonetheless, it was a step in the right direction. I was overjoyed that a new generation of little girls could grow up seeing that perfection comes in all shapes and sizes, and that every body is beautiful in its own unique way.

Now, let’s jump to 2023. Barbie’s world has taken a giant leap forward. The recent Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig. Whether you love or hate the movie, one thing we can all agree on is that their $150 million marketing budget is being put to great use, grossing over $775 million dollars globally, in the first 10 days of its opening. Everywhere we look, we see a sea of pink, reminding us of the iconic Barbie brand.

But besides the marketing success & record, it  has also broken new ground in terms of inclusivity. The film casts a plus-size character, “The Lawyer Barbie” (palyed by Shannon Rooney) who is just like any other character. She’s not the subject of a joke, she’s not ignored, and she’s not self-conscious. She’s not sad or depressed, and she certainly doesn’t need “fixing”. She’s just there, living her life, enjoying her days with her friends. 

She’s not portrayed as a hero or a savior, she’s just a regular normal person, and that’s what makes her valuable in my opinion, as I am tired of seeing plus size gals portrayed in the movies as either victims or heroes. Being ordinary is perfect & is a celebration of body positivity and self-love. It’s a testament to the fact that we, as plus-size women, are perfect just the way we are.

Here at Tiff’s Closet, we’re all about celebrating every body type. We believe in fashion that makes you feel good about yourself, no matter your size. Just like Barbie’s world, the possibilities at our boutique are endless, chic, affordable, & comfortable. 

So, whether you’ve been a Barbie fan since childhood like me, or you’re just starting to explore the world of body positivity, remember this: You are beautiful. You are worthy. And you deserve to see yourself represented, in dolls, in movies, and in fashion.

Here’s to embracing our curves, just like Barbie. Here’s to being unapologetically ourselves. And here’s to finding fashion that celebrates our bodies at Tiff’s Closet, where every curve matters!