Wednesday, April 10, 2024

I: Italian Barbie

 

#AtoZChallenge 2024 letter I


Italian Barbie 

Having seen the Italian Barbie Doll in this book, I decided to look this one up more. This came out around 1979, when the company began producing international versions of the iconic doll. The box side (pictured below) listed several words in Italian, as well as some info about Italian culture. The book linked above said the head mold on this doll was a new one, but in another entry (for the Guardian Goddesses dolls of 1978), it said the mold from that earlier line was used on Italian Barbie. 




The aforementioned doll guide is sadly outdated, and when I Googled "Italian Barbie," the first thing that came up was the doll pictured below, that came out in the early 1990s. I was glad to see more than one iteration of this doll theme.





8 comments:

Debra She Who Seeks said...

The 1990s Italian Barbie had a better outfit.

John Holton said...

Love the dark hair, even if there are blonde Italians...

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

Hmm..The second one seems more Mexican to me.

Liz A. said...

Did they do an international Barbie thing in the '90s? I vaguely recall that, but it could also be Mandela effect, so I can't be sure.

Elephant's Child said...

Yet another I didn't know.

My name is Erika. said...

The second Babrie looks much more old fashioned in traditional dress. I like it better because the other Barbie could be from other places than Italy. Thanks for sharing!

Sandra Cox said...

Love Barbie's hat.

Ronel Janse van Vuuren said...

I'm sure my Barbie spoke in my mother tongue, so this Italian Barbie feels a bit like exploitation...

Ronel visiting for I: My Languishing TBR: I
Incubus