Barbie Photographs, 1969-1974

Summary

Abstract:
Color photographs showing Barbie and Francie dolls in various outfits.
Extent:
0.25 linear ft.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Barbie Photographs,

Background

Scope and content:

The Barbie Photographs contains color photographs of Barbie dolls in various outfits. Most show a single blonde "flip hair" (a hairstyle that turns up at the end) Twist 'n' Turn Barbie doll. There are two that show blonde Twist 'n' Turn Francie dolls.

Biographical / historical:

The first Barbie was released in 1959 by Mattel, Inc., the first ever mass-produced doll in the United States with adult features. She mimicked the glamour of 1950s movie stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, yet since then she has been constantly reinvented with new fashions and an adapted image.

The 1960s came with widespread social change across the United States, which gave rise to a new subculture of youth: the Mods (from modern). The Mods were affluent teenagers who used fashion to express independence, tolerance, and everything progressive and modern. Mattel responded to rapidly changing shifts in fashion associated with the Mods by giving Barbie a new look.

In 1967, Mattel introduced the Twist 'n' Turn Barbie and Francie dolls, the first Barbie dolls with the ability to bend at the waist. They also gave the dolls a more youthful face, a less proper look, and outfits incorporating bright colors and geometric patterns that were more relevant to Mod beauty standards. The new doll Francie was released in 1966, marketed as "Barbie's MODern cousin." She was released as a test doll before Barbie's modern makeover in 1967.

Acquisition information:
Purchase, 2022.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by doll name, and within that chronologically.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advance notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Barbie Photographs,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu