Barbie in Paris

Barbie at 50? A vitrine at Galeries Lafayette, Paris.

Galeries Lafayette. What about that cotton candy-like hairdo? This look may be a little risque for Barbie.

 

Vitrine on Boulevard Haussmann.

When you were a child, did you play with Barbie and/or Sindy (in Europe)? My favourite was Solo in the Spotlight Barbie. Remember Midge, Francie and Skipper?

Do you still have your childhood Barbies? My two brothers demolished mine, but  my daughter Jordana still has a few of her favourites from childhood. However, she lost about 30 Barbies, when we left nine suitcases in the Middle East (when she was eight years old). A friend was supposed to bring them to London, but it never happened. Guess some other little girl enjoyed playing with Jordana's Barbie collection.

 

A cosmetics and perfume shop in Covent Garden, London. That slogan is so Barbie-like, isn't it?

Comments

[dutchbaby]

I never played with dolls, too busy reading, but my daughter had a few. They are all in storage now. I'll remember to keep them under my control at all times - poor Jordana!

Adore that last photo! The cursive script in metallic signage is ingenious.

[Laume]

Oh, and Pepper! She was Skipper's friend.

[Laume]

I remember Francie, Midge, and Skipper. You're the only other person who has EVER remembered Midge. I've mentioned her before and had people look at with a glazed look like I'm loonie. (which may or may not be true but I KNOW Midge wasn't a figment of my imagination!)

[Rosa]

Love the windows at Galeries! Ha, Barbie probably wished she looked that good! xo

[Leau]

I had one of the original Barbies - my birthday prezzie in 1962! I also had a Skipper doll because she was one of very few red haired dolls. Mostly I made houses and furniture for them but I did love them. Mine were destroyed by my niece when we stored all our things at their house - all of my dolls, their clothes and all of my precious houses! Childhood sorrows have healed and I can again appreciate how bizarre those dolls are! smooches

[Tara Bradford]

Lisa/The Bold Soul, wasn't that cover so tasteless? Smacked of desperation. All the French women I know were disapproving.

[Tara Bradford]

Ally Bean, my favourite Barbie clothes were ones handmade by my grandmother. One Christmas she gave me an entire Barbie trousseau, complete with a wedding gown (made from my aunt's actual wedding gown), a cocktail dress, suit, gown and robe. Sadly, the only thing that has survived is the light blue robe. That Barbie trousseau was the best gift ever from my grandmother, who was so talented.

[MAWB]

Great pictures! Barbie at 50! I well I can relate. I think I had one of the first Barbies ever made since I was born in '53. I also used to own a fabulous pair of those thigh high boots in the early 70's and am kicking myself for ever tossing them! Now I want more.... I must be living a midlife crisis!

[ally bean]

I had one Barbie. I wanted all the clothes Mattel had available for her. However, my parents couldn't afford that so most of my Barbie clothes were from a woman in our small town who had a home business making Barbie clothes. As a result of this my doll was never very fashionable, but I loved her anyway.

[The Bold Soul]

Was the slutty Barbie in the fishnet bodysuit trying to out-do Sharon Stone on the cover of Paris Match?

And I DO remember Midge and Skipper... had both as friends of my Barbie. Wishing now I'd taken better care of them all and kept them. I have a friend whose mother has some of the first Barbies ever made and she always had them in a glass display case. We were allowed to look, but not touch. Very 1950s chic!

[sas]

i have a thing about 'naked' shop mannequins - especially the unwigged ones. they seem so sad and purposeless. a bit like barbie really...

[Joyce Ellen Davis]

HAhaha. Your black and white Barbie looks like Joan Rivers with another facelift! (My husband used to hang his sisters dolls by the neck until they were dead). I was never a Barbie girl, either!

[Gillian]

Oh and yes, too risque for Barbie, more for Lady Gaga!!! lol

[Gillian]

I felt a twinge in my heart hearing of Jordana's Barbie loss. To a little girl, that would be a big loss.

I played with Cindy, or Sindy. In fact, Bronwyn tonight asked me if I enjoyed "Dora the Explorer!" movies when I was a girl, and I answered no, she didn't exist back then. Bronwyn needless to say did not get that at all. How foreign an idea, that something so wonderful would not even exist!!

But I do recall playing with my Cindy doll, and her outfits. Hours of fun.

I did not glom on to Barbie though, until much later...when I had little girls of my own. I was more of a daydreamer than a girl who played with actual dolls. Kind of sad!!! :)

Love you, hugs to Jordana xoxo

[Wonders Never Cease]

How I loved my Barbies. I'd take them on camping trips to the lake(the bathroom sink.)
Love your Etsy shop! It makes me happy just to look at your treasures.
Hugs to you!
Becky

[Marilyn]

Never to busy to be beautiful! Wow, I wish I could say that. I never was a Barbie girl. But sometimes I do think I should try a little harder.

[Tara Bradford]

Thanks, Laura. I had a Barbie Dream House too - until my little brother demolished it! I loved "playing Barbies;" used to play with my little sister after my friends stopped playing Barbies. I kept them for a long time; some went to my sister; others my brothers destroyed (they were very naughty as children). :)

[Laura Benedict]

How many innocent dates, fashion shows, and family dramas did I experience through my Barbies? Thousands. I was sneered at by my sixth grade girl friends when they came to my house and saw I still had my Barbie Dream House. Wish I still had it--in all its op-art glory.

Wonderful images, as always, Tara.