barbie
Barbie's Fashionista doll collection is more diverse than ever.
  • The first Barbie doll hit shelves in 1959, making the iconic toy 65 years old in 2024.
  • Barbies have offered broader representations of race, body type, and careers over the years.
  • The "Barbie" movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, sparked the "Barbiecore" trend in 2023.

Barbies have offered broader representations of race, body type, and careers since the first doll debuted 65 years ago in 1959.

Greta Gerwig's 2023 Oscar-winning "Barbie" movie also sparked a renaissance of the doll-inspired Barbiecore aesthetic, which included vibrant shades of pink, chunky heels, and kitschy accessories.

Here's a look at how Barbie dolls have evolved through the years.

1959
1959 Barbie
Barbie in 1959.

Barbie made her debut in 1959 with a striped swimsuit, blonde ponytail, and red lipstick.

"Barbie" star Margot Robbie channeled the look with a black-and-white striped, strapless dress at a press event for the film in 2023.

1960
1960 Barbie Fashion Designer
Barbie in 1960.

Barbie got a job! Fashion designer Barbie sported a matching jacket and skirt set with a blouse and sketchbook in 1960.

1961
1961 Couple
Barbie and Ken in 1961.

Barbie and Ken hit the beach (or pool) together. Ken was introduced as Barbie's fictional counterpart in 1961.

1962
1962 Barbie Red Flare
Red Flare Barbie in 1962.

This "Red Flare" Barbie from 1962 features a voluminous red coat and matching hat, said to be inspired by '60s style icon Jackie Kennedy.

1963
1963 Midge
Midge in 1963

"Midge" was introduced in 1963 as Barbie's best friend. She had freckles, a button nose, and dark curled hair.

1964
1964 barbie
Barbie in 1964.

In 1964, Barbie's "swirl ponytail" hairstyle replaced what until then had been her trademark bangs.

1965
1965 Barbie
Barbie in 1965.

Barbie's bangs returned in 1965, along with a striped jumpsuit.

1966
1966 Barbie Color Magic
Color Magic Barbie in 1966.

"Color Magic Barbie" featured yellow hair and an equally vibrant outfit.

1967
1967 Barbie TwistNTurn (Headshot)
TwistNTurn Barbie 1967.

"TwistNTurn Barbie" in 1967 featured bendable knees and a twistable waist.

1968
1968 Talking Barbie
Talking Barbie in 1968.

In 1968, "Talking Barbie" said things like "Let's go shopping!"

1969
1969 Christie
Christie in 1969.

"Christie" was the first African American doll, and was marketed as Barbie's friend. She debuted in 1968, but is pictured here in 1969.

1970
1970 barbie cher
Cher Barbie in the 1970s.

The Cher Barbie doll was peak '70s, wearing a miniature version of the outfit the singer herself wore in the music video for "Half Breed."

1971
1971 Malibu Barbie
Malibu Barbie in 1971.

"Malibu Barbie" epitomized the laid-back, West Coast vibe in 1971.

1972
1972 barbie
Barbie Beauty Center in 1972.

The "Barbie Beauty Center" allowed aspiring hairdressers to practice on Barbie's blonde locks.

1973
1973 Malibu Christie
Malibu Christie in 1973.

"Malibu Christie" joined Barbie in California in 1973.

1974
1974 Town House
Barbie's Town House in 1974

Barbie's Town House in 1974 featured three stories and some retro decor.

1975
1975 Olympic Skier
Barbie the Olympic skier in 1975.

Barbie the Olympic skier was released in 1975, ahead of the 1976 Winter Olympics in Austria.

1976
1976 Ballerina
Barbie in 1976.

Barbie stole the show as a ballerina in 1976.

1977
1977 Superstar Barbie
Superstar Barbie in 1977.

"Superstar" Barbie wore a glitzy pink gown with a sparkly boa.

1978
1978 Couple
Barbie and Ken in 1978.

"Superstar" Barbie teamed up with a fabulously '70s Ken in 1978.

1979
1979 Couple
Barbie and Ken in 1979.

Barbie and Ken matched in monogrammed swimsuits in 1979.

1980
1980 Hispanic Barbie
Teresa Barbie in 1980.

Teresa, the first Hispanic doll in the line, added more representation to Barbie doll collections.

1981
1981 Roller Skater
Barbie in 1981.

Barbie took up roller skating in 1981, complete with '80s leg warmers.

1982
1982 barbie mcdonalds
Barbie in 1982.

Barbie served burgers and fries at McDonald's in 1982.

1983
1983 Barbie Townhouse
Barbie's house in 1982.

Barbie's townhouse in 1983 had a whole new look, and included a dining room, eat-in kitchen, living room, and bedroom.

1984
1984 Couple
Barbie and Ken in 1984.

Barbie wore a sparkly dress resembling flower petals in 1984, with a dark-haired Ken by her side.

1985
1985 Day to Night Barbie
Day To Night Barbie in 1985.

"Day To Night Barbie" was ready for a day at work and a night on the town.

1986
1986 Astronaut
Barbie in 1986.

Barbie landed on the moon as an astronaut in 1986.

1987
1987 barbie dr
Doctor Barbie in 1987.

Doctor Barbie was on call in 1987 with a white jacket and miniature stethoscope. 

1988
1988 Fashion Barbie
Fashion Barbie in 1988.

"Fashion Barbie" in 1988 rocked '80s styles from head to toe.

1989
1989 enchantment barbie
Evening Enchantment Barbie in 1989.

"Evening Enchantment Barbie" wore a shiny dress to match the night sky.

1990
1990Dreamhouse
Barbie's Dreamhouse in 1990.

Barbie's Dreamhouse in 1990 was pink. Very, very pink.

1991
1991 Air Force Pilot
Barbie the Air Force pilot in 1991.

Barbie the Air Force pilot landed on toy store shelves in 1991.

1992
1992 Totally Hair Barbie
Totally Hair Barbie in 1992.

"Totally Hair Barbie" came with hair down to her ankles in 1992.

1993
1993 Native American Barbie
Native American Barbie in 1993.

"Native American Barbie" debuted in 1993.

1994
1994 Kenyan Barbie
Kenyan Barbie in 1994.

Barbie's "Dolls of the World" collection included "Kenyan Barbie" in 1994.

1995
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Happy Holidays Barbie in 1995

The Happy Holidays Barbie was dressed up in a green and silver gown decorated with holly.

1996
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Holiday Princess Cinderella Barbie in 1996.

The 1996 Holiday Princess Cinderella Barbie was based on the character from Disney's 1950 cartoon movie.

1997
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Ken and Barbie as Romeo and Juliet in 1997.

Ken and Barbie became thespians in 1997 as part of a Together Forever collection.

1998
1998 Barbie Deluxe Dream House
Barbie's Deluxe Dream House in 1998.

Barbie's Deluxe Dream House in 1998 featured flowery wallpaper with pink and green accents.

1999
1999 Generation Girl
Generation Girl Barbie in 1999.

"Generation Girl" Barbie wore a blue dress and denim jacket paired with red heels in 1999.

2000
2000 Jewel Girl (Medium)
Jewel Girl Barbie in 2000.

"Jewel Girl" Barbie in 2000 sported a crop top and pink skirt with a grey jacket.

2001
2001Olympic Swimmer
Barbie in 2001.

Following the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Barbie released Olympic swimmers with gold medals in 2001.

2002
2002 Art Teacher
Barbie in 2002.

Barbie worked as an art teacher in 2002.

2003
2003 japan barbie
Japanese princess Barbie in 2003.

"Dolls of the World" added a Japanese princess Barbie in 2003.

2004
2004 Presidential Candidate_AA
Presidential Candidate Barbie in 2004.

"Presidential Candidate" Barbie debuted in an election year, 2004.

2005
2005_DestinysChild4
Destiny's Child Barbies in 2005.

Destiny's Child Barbies were all the rage in 2005.

2006
Ballerina (2006)
Barbie in 2006.

Barbie donned ballet shoes and a pink tutu as a ballerina in 2006.

2007
2007 barbie
Barbie in 2007.

"Top Model Barbie" posed with her hands on her hips in 2007.

2008
2008 TV Chef
Barbie in 2008.

Barbie hosted her own cooking show in 2008.

2009
Equestrian (2009)
Barbie in 2009.

Barbie sported a helmet and riding boots as an equestrian in 2009.

2010
2010 Computer Engineer
Barbie in 2010.

Barbie learned to code and became a computer engineer in 2010.

2011
Architect Barbie Launch.JPG
Barbie in 2011.

After occupying many different dream houses, Barbie the architect designed them herself in 2011.

2012
Barbie_WilliamKate4a
Barbie in 2012.

Barbie released commemorative Prince William and Kate Middleton dolls in 2012, the year after their royal wedding.

2013
Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse Feature Talkin Raquelle Doll
Raquelle in 2013.

"Raquelle" played Barbie's nemesis in the animated web series "Life in the Dreamhouse" in 2013.

2014
BarbieEnt
Barbie Entrepreneur in 2014.

"Barbie Entrepreneur" had big plans in 2014 — and a miniature smartphone.

2015
2015 barbie
Made To Move Barbie in 2015.

"Made To Move" Barbie had flexible joints.

2016
2016 barbie curvy
A curvy Barbie debuts in 2016.

Barbie introduced "Curvy" body types in 2016.

2017
ibtihaj muhammad barbie 2017
The first Barbie with a hijab in 2017.

Barbie's first doll with a hijab was modeled after US Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

2018
a wrinkle in time barbies
Barbie in 2018.

Barbies of Mindy Kaling, Oprah Winfrey, and Reese Witherspoon were based on the characters they play in "A Wrinkle In Time."

2019
barbie fashionista wheelchair
A doll in Barbie's 2019 Fashionista collection.

Barbie's Fashionista collection included a black woman in a wheelchair among six different body types, nine skin tones, six eye colors, 11 hair colors, and 10 hairstyles.

2020
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Barbie's 2020 Fashionista line.

New dolls in the 2020 Fashionista line include a doll with vitiligo, another with a prosthetic limb, and one without hair.

2021
The five dolls Mattel has released to commemorate frontline workers.
The five dolls Mattel has released to commemorate frontline workers.

In 2021, Mattel released a line of dolls to commemorate frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one modeled after Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology at Oxford University who cocreated the AstraZeneca vaccine.

2022
Laverne Cox in real life wearing a red dress (left) and as a Barbie.
Laverne Cox as a Barbie.

Actress and LGBTQ activist Laverne Cox, the first transgender actor to be nominated for a Primetime acting Emmy Award, became the face of a Tribute Collection Barbie in 2022.

2023
A Barbie doll with Down's syndrome wearing a floral dress.
A Barbie with Down syndrome.

Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society to release the first Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023.

According to a press release from Mattel, the new Barbie's face is a rounder shape, has almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. The doll also wears pink orthotics.

2024
The 2024 Barbie Lunar New Year Doll.
The 2024 Barbie Lunar New Year Doll.

Mattel released a limited-edition 2024 Lunar New Year doll wearing a traditional Chinese opera costume called a xifu.

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