| Since bursting onto the toy market in a black | | | | like Bratz which have successfully |
| and white swimsuit on March 9 1959, Barbie | | | | diversified into multimedia and continue to |
| has certainly made her mark and is | | | | sell well. |
| undoubtedly queen amongst dolls even after | | | | |
| more than forty years of life. | | | | And it appears that Barbie is responding to |
| | | | her competitors with smaller versions of the |
| Created by Ruth Handler and marketed by the | | | | traditional doll called Barbie Mini Kingdom. |
| Mattel toy company, Barbie has successfully | | | | At just 6 inches tall this gentle change of |
| moved with the times for almost five decades | | | | direction may be the tip of the iceberg as |
| adopting changing fashions to maintain her | | | | Mattel moves to strengthen it's position. |
| place as the top toy doll brand. From nurse | | | | |
| and olympic Barbie to president and married | | | | As she approaches her 50th birthday, Barbie |
| Barbie, she has an impressive resume with | | | | remains an international phenomenon sold in |
| more than eighty careers and countless | | | | over 40 countries and a sought after |
| costume changes along the way. | | | | collectors item. As you might expect, Barbie |
| | | | is the best selling doll on Ebay with some |
| As the American dream personified, Barbie has | | | | rare early examples fetching as much as |
| led a very privileged life that most | | | | $10,000. So, for now, Barbie is certainly |
| celebrities would envy even today. With a | | | | worthy of a place in any toy collectors |
| wardrobe to die for, a fleet of cars and even | | | | catalog, but only time will tell if Barbie |
| a bespoke swimming pool just some of the | | | | dolls can continue to move with the times and |
| trappings of world wide domination and fame. | | | | maintain their appeal with young girl's on |
| But many collectors are concerned that her | | | | into the 21st century. Even so, I wouldn't |
| days as queen of dolls may be about to end. | | | | like to bet against a Barbie doll being at |
| In 2007, Barbie is still a big fish in a | | | | the top of many Christmas lists in twenty |
| growing pond but now faces stiff competition | | | | years time. |
| from new, fresh and energetic doll brands | | | | |