Mannequin

Yesterday, Mattel made something of a splash with the presentation of Barbie dolls
that are more realistic: different sizes, shapes, colouring. Many are hailing this as
an advance for women, because young girls will have dolls they can better identify
with, and engage in role-playing games. This is probably true, and good.

The original Barbie dates from 1959, another world. When Barbie made the scene,
the emphasis was not on her but on her clothes. Not that she was a total clothes horse
as current celebrity culture would have it. In those days, people often made their own
clothes; sewing was taught in schools. And a savy woman might have a mannequin
at home of her own bust.  Barbie was akin to a store mannequin. And little girls didn't
role-play. They dreamt of the clothes they wanted to make.

Because World War II had deprived urban populations in Europe, the women of
France came out of it thin, very thin. And there had not been material to make clothes
during the war. So there was an emphasis on the opulence of drapings, for example with
Dior. By the 1960s, we were in a full celebration of Couture, and fashion houses.
In 1959, Barbie would have been - Barbara - a pan-European mannequin. Europe had
been rebuilt.

I could wax on about the new crop of Barbies, but I won't. Let's just say some of them
have a lot of personality... Still love you, Barbie!
           
                                                   Dior New Look (1947)

Barbie in a little black dress (2010)

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