Barbie Millicent Roberts™ from Willows, Wisconsin was introduced to a skeptical toy industry at the New York Toy Fair. A gallon of gas was 25 cents, the average annual wage was $5,000 and the #1 Ponytail Barbie sold for $3. Additional fashions based on the latest runway trends from Paris ranged from $1 to $5. In the first year, 300,000 Barbie dolls were sold.
FASHION
The very first Barbie® doll (shown here) made a splash at New York Toy Fair sporting her famous ponytail hairstyle, eye-popping black-and-white bathing suit, stylish open-toed shoes, too-cool shades and golden hoop earrings. Fabulous fashions with delicate details were sold separately– priced from $1 to $5– so girls could truly play fashion show with their “teenage fashion model” of a doll.
BEAUTY
Barbie’s debut as the “teenage fashion model” mirrored the sophisticated glamour of 1950s stars like Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Elizabeth Taylor, donning high arched brows, pursed red lips, a sassy pony tail with curly bangs and a coy, sideways glance. Even her figure was high fashion and model-esque, with pale, ivory skin, long slim legs and a narrow waist and hips. Barbie– though well known for her blonde locks– was sold as both a brunette and blonde.
