The True Story of An American Icon
After more than six decades on the toy shelf and in our collective consciousness, Barbie remains the country's most famous and beloved doll, her critics notwithstanding. She generates more than a billion dollars every year for Mattel, a fifth of the company's sales, and boasts higher global brand recognition than Kim Kardashian, and an Instagram following that tops 2.1 million people. For over 60 years, Barbie has proved both ahead of her time and a reflection of it: She was a single working woman with a car and a home in an era when it was difficult for women to get a bank loan. She was an astronaut in the 1960s, headed for Malibu in the 70s and long before Hillary Clinton became the Democratic presidential nominee, made a run for the White House. Barbie has done it all while impeccably dressed. Now, LIFE celebrates this American icon in this special edition, filled with beautiful vintage and contemporary images, fascinating essays, including a look at Barbie's inventor, her many fashions, and interviews with fans to capture her unique place in global culture.
