Barbie Museum

The Barbie slogan “You Can be Anything” is proof in itself.  Over the years the brand has expanded to include ethnic, kitsch, celebrity, designer and now represents people with disabilities.  They come curvy, petite, rounded and tall. They have it all. Their goth to glamour is shown here at their very own museum in Montreal…

Growing up with Mattel

Everyone knows Mattel because we all grew up with one of the following iconic brands: Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price® and more.  At least these are the trademarks and toys I’m most familiar with. The company’s motto is to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. I’m not really sure about the full potential part but the wonder of childhood I’m quite familiar with.  Of course some of these toys make you think and have educational purposes, especially during the time of no cell phones. Mattel, the company, either owns or licenses these brands in partnership with global entertainment companies.  Their reach is huge!

Gone are the childhood gender identification toys of yesteryear.  But for me personally, it’s a wonder I don’t have any kids because my dolls were everything. I loved pushing them in strollers and treating them as if they were the real thing.  Funny to even think about it now. 

But then Barbie came along and changed everything.  Baby dolls were pushed by the wayside to make room for seemingly adult looking dolls without genitals that you could dress up or down from wearing jeans to haute couture.  It started out innocently enough but the fashion show soon began.  Then came the friends, the sisters, the pseudo boyfriend Ken and finally the house, the car, the keys to the car and a condo in Florida just kidding about that.  The clothes were a constant because she was very socially involved and couldn’t be seen wearing the same thing twice.  Everything looked good on her too.  She could rock a bikini and then change into an evening gown and look equally amazing.  Her skin tone was very even, her polish never chipped and her hair perfect – but if not; you could always put a wig on her.   She’s into the plastic but never had plastic surgery.

Get this: she has a last name!  Her full name is Barbie Millicent Roberts as do her sisters; Chelsea, Stacie, and Skipper Roberts.

I’m a Barbie girl in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it’s fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation

My Barbie dolls went shopping, had tea parties and hung out in their perfect Barbie world.  I never questioned whether or not any of them had jobs in order to afford their nice wardrobe and accessories.  That was my parents’ department.  I believe playing with Barbie(s) expanded by sense of style and the love for the colour pink.

What’s so interesting is that many dolls became less significant or faded away altogether,  but Barbie became a mainstay – not only for girls everywhere but for Mattel; the manufacturer who launched them in 1959.  The company was founded in Los Angeles by Harold Matson and the husband-and-wife business team duo of Ruth and Elliot Handler in January 1945.  By now and especially since the movie, we know that Barbie was created by Ruth Handler.  Barbie was named after Ruth Handler’s daughter, Barbara, and Ken after her son, Kenneth. And what a savvy businesswoman she was to create something that remains strong to this day and just as fashion changes, Barbie changes right alongside fashion.  To put it clearly “All Barbies matter!”

So out of sheer childhood history and curiosity (not to mention the perfect casting) I went to see the movie with a few ex-Barbie doll playing friends.  It was very enjoyable, the sets are amazing and the message is insightful.  A real non-guilty pleasure.

Then someone posted on Facebook about a Barbie Expo (museum) that had taken place in Montreal.  Since I was going to Montreal I wanted to check it out.  As it so happens the expo (or museum if you want to call it that) was in re-construction mode and not open to the public. But lucky me; I had an in with someone connected to Cours Mont-Royal (the upscale shopping mall that houses the extremely well curated event) who was able to open the doors to show me around.  It was fabulous! Way more interesting than I had ever imagined. 

Once the expo re opens and you happen to be visiting Montreal or you already live here and haven’t been….put it on your list of “must sees.”  Really – it’s brilliant!

Barbie Girl Video:

Photos: d. king