Barbie

Barbie

Berlin Boycotts Barbie Dreamhouse

While some girls might consider Barbie's Dreamhouse fit for a princess, some feminists in Germany are protesting the life-size replica of the toy estate, CNN reports.

While some girls might consider Barbie's Dreamhouse fit for a princess, some feminists in Germany are protesting the life-size replica of the toy estate, CNN reports.

Located in Berlin's Alexanderplatz, the 27,000-square-foot Dreamhouse is supposed to showcase Barbie's Malibu lifestyle, with makeup, kitchen, and wardrobe rooms, plus a runway and real cafe in which visitors can dine. But protesters complain that Barbie contributes to sexism, racism, and body issues for girls.

The house "is the expression of a conventional role model that isn't OK," Socialist Alternative editor Michael Koschitzki said.

In addition to the protest, the buzz in Berlin has yielded an "Occupy Barbie Dreamhouse" Facebook page, which features a dark-haired girl saying "I can't stand pink!"

The "Barbie the Dreamhouse Experience" in Berlin is the first in what is planned as a European house tour. A US Dreamhouse opened last week in Florida, CNN reports.

Source: CNN
Food and Fun

A Groovy Vintage Barbie Camping Party

Maria of Love & Sugar Kisses loves throwing a creative party, so when her daughter decided she wanted a Barbie-camping-themed sixth birthday bash, she didn't go the typical pink route.

Maria of Love & Sugar Kisses loves throwing a creative party, so when her daughter decided she wanted a Barbie-camping-themed sixth birthday bash, she didn't go the typical pink route.

"For Christmas, Angelina received a Barbie camping set and immediately asked for a Barbie camping party. Yes, she picks her party themes six months ahead (good girl)," Maria says. "She's not a super girlie girl, so I decided to put a fun spin on the theme and went with a '70s vintage vibe. It all started with this great find, a 1971 Barbie Country Camper!" Add in some far-out sweets and happening games, and you've got one groovy Barbie party (beautifully photographed by Wendy Updegraff). Can you dig it?

Source: Love & Sugar Kisses

nostalgia

A History of Barbie in Pop Culture

Even at 53, Barbie is as hot as ever!

Even at 53, Barbie is as hot as ever! Earlier this year the 2012 Barbie For President doll was released, and Barbie's latest fabulous incarnation is being dubbed "Drag Queen Barbie," although Mattel and the drag-queen designers who created her deny that was their intention. Life in plastic might be fantastic, but according to other rumors, Barbie will ditch her artificial skin and miniature wardrobe when she comes alive on the big screen. There's reportedly a project in development that will be the first Barbie live-action film, but she'll surely adapt easily. Since her creation in 1959, Barbie has had 125 different careers and a steady place in pop culture. Take a look at her many incarnations now.

Video

Anderson Cooper Kicks Human Barbie Mom Off Show

On his daytime talk show yesterday, Anderson Cooper chatted with "human Barbie" Sarah Burge but couldn't stomach the Brit mom — who's spent $500K on plastic surgery — for long before kicking her off the show early.

On his daytime talk show yesterday, Anderson Cooper chatted with "human Barbie" Sarah Burge but couldn't stomach the Brit mom — who's spent $500K on plastic surgery — for long before kicking her off the show early. After talking to her about giving her 15-year-old daughter Botox, the breast implant vouchers she gave her 7-year-old, and the photos that were released of her daughter on a stripper pole, Anderson had had his fill of crazy. He called her "dreadful" and then ended the interview early. Watch the clip now, in which the plastic mom tries to justify why her teenage daughter needed Botox to be like Beyoncé.

Politics

Cast Your Vote For Political Barbies Over the Years

There's a new presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, and she's made of plastic.

There's a new presidential candidate for the 2012 elections, and she's made of plastic. For the fifth time, Barbie is running for president! Mattel has just announced its "I Can Be . . . President Barbie," who dons wedges and a pink power suit designed by CFDA winner Chris Benz (who's also dressed Michelle Obama). The doll was created in partnership with nonprofit The White House Project, an organization that supports women in politics. And even though this isn't Barbie's first campaign, this year's doll is breaking new ground — as she'll be the very first Barbie in the company's 53-year history to stand upright on her own two feet! There have been several political Barbies over the years, beginning with an ambassador for world peace doll in 1986. Check some of them out plus a collector's doll of our first lady!

Jessica Simpson

Gucci vs. Guess, Charlize Theron's Model Walk, and Chris Benz's Presidential Barbie

Christian Louboutin's Straratata at left; Jessica Simpson's Evangel at right.


Christian Louboutin's Straratata at left; Jessica Simpson's Evangel at right.

>> Those stories and more in our daily news roundup.

  • As if its trademark lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent wasn't enough to worry about, Christian Louboutin now has to deal with the possibility that Jessica Simpson may have copied his Straratata sandal. [The Huffington Post]

  • Speaking of copyright infringement: Guess CEO Paul Marciano defended his company against accusations that it's been knocking off Gucci. "I truly believe that if this is something Gucci was genuinely concerned with, they would have acted within days, everywhere," Marciano said in court. "Are you telling me today that suddenly you realize what's happened in 1995?" [The Daily Telegraph]

  • Barbie is running for president, but not without a little help from Chris Benz. The designer created the campaign wardrobe for the new I Can Be President Barbie doll – which consists of a single suit. "She actually doesn’t have a change of clothes, and she’s not allowed to take those clothes off either," Benz explained. "That’s not what she does." [Styleite]

  • Dior spokeswoman Charlize Theron is on the May cover of Vogue UK. In the accompanying feature story, she reveals that being a model isn't as easy as it looks. "That f***ing walk, so hard to do," she says of the forceful strut she performed in her iconic J'adore Dior commercial. [Fashion Etc.]
Barbie

A Blast From the Past: Classic Kids Toys Enter the Digital Age

It's hard to imagine that our kids will never know the joy of being the banker in Monopoly or invent their own games to play with Barbie.

It's hard to imagine that our kids will never know the joy of being the banker in Monopoly or invent their own games to play with Barbie. But even the most traditional of children's toys are making the leap into the digital age. According to a study conducted by Common Sense Media, half of all children ages 0 to 8 have access to a new mobile device (like a smartphone, video iPod, or iPad/tablet) — making good old-fashioned playtime a thing of the past. Check out five classic kids favorites that are withstanding the test of time — thanks to some digital enhancements — and vote on which one you'd pick for playtime for your family.

Editor's Pick

Barbie and Ken Celebrate 6-Month Anniversary

Happy Valentine's Day! In honor of the lovey-dovey holiday, French photographer Béatrice de Guigné is sharing the "trash the dress" photo shoot she did for happy couple Barbie and Ken!

Happy Valentine's Day! In honor of the lovey-dovey holiday, French photographer Béatrice de Guigné is sharing the "trash the dress" photo shoot she did for happy couple Barbie and Ken! We loved the cheeky photos Béatrice shared last year of Barbie and Ken's wedding, and these Winter wonderland six-month anniversary pics are just as fun! The plastic pair are participating in a newlywed tradition that's been especially popular in the last decade. A "trash the dress" photo shoot usually involves a couple taking fashion magazine-style photos some time after the wedding without worrying about getting the wedding dress dirty or destroyed (like in this case, frolicking in the snow). Check out the Barbie and Ken's anniversary photos now!

Photos by BdG Photography

Poll

Kardashian Barbie Dolls: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Barbie just can't stop pushing the limits these days.

Barbie just can't stop pushing the limits these days. Following the introduction of Totally Stylin' Tattoos Barbie a few years ago and the recent addition of Sweet Talking Ken (a doll that has the unique ability to "sweet talk" tots with their own words) to the collection, the rumor mill is churning away about Barbie's newest friends Khloe, Kourtney, and Kim Kardashian!

The reality TV and unrated video stars have certainly found unlimited ways to cash in on their "lack of talent." Unnamed sources say the dolls will, "reflect the girls' measurements and may even come in Kardashian-designed outfits."

Though Mattel won't comment on the rumors, we want to know if the Kardashian Barbies would make their way into your tots' Barbie Dream Houses?

Beauty News

Suddenly, Barbie Is Looking Very Burning Man

London salon Bleach is famous for its daring hairstyling and amazing color, and now it has a very important new client.

London salon Bleach is famous for its daring hairstyling and amazing color, and now it has a very important new client. And though she may only be 11 inches tall, she's got a whole lot of style cred. For two weeks, colorists and stylists from Bleach are creating hairstyling masterpieces on none other than Barbie, she of the eminently chewable feet and statement eye shadow. So far, the stylists have done everything from the rainbow rope braid above to star-print extensions and wild dip-dyed color. They're all impressive and well worth checking out. Plus, each Barbie style creator details exactly how they made the look, just in case you want to go a little wild yourself.