Even though the "Musée de la poupée" often takes Barbie as the subject of their exhibitions, it's the first time that it's taking place in a "big museum", so i was pretty excited, knowing that it would have to be great. And I wasn't disappointed!
I went with two close friends who also loved playing with dolls as kids... the more the merrier right?
So after getting our tickets, we find ourselves at a bottom of a stairs leading to a big Pink door inviting us to enter Queen B's world.
We are then directly immersed, as we are surrounded by recent Barbie dolls dressed by designers (photo above). The set up is beautiful as they light up one at a time.
The next room takes us back into time for a little bit of "history of the fashion doll through the years".
In the 18th century, the fashion doll wasn't a toy for kid. It was only a way of showing new fashion trends, with replicas of the latest dresses from Paris, for example. The dolls would travel to England or Russia so everyone at the royal court would dress like the richest women in France.
So only the outfit mattered, which explains why the dolls had strange proportions sometimes.
These fashion dolls stopped being produced when real flesh and blood models appeared around 1860.
The dolls faces got a bit more juvenile and their proportions got a bit more real. But in the 19th century they were still not quite appropriate for kids to play with. Too precious, too fragile, they're more of dolls to be looked at.
In 1873, the "unbreakable baby Jumeau" is manufactured with carton and wood to strengthen the porcelain.
People who couldn't afford them played with raggedy dolls. If they weren't as beautiful, at least they could be played with endlessly !
It's in the beginning of the 20th century that fashion dolls with the same size as our Barbie girl appeared. The fashion doll Lafitte-Désirat (made of wax, i think they are absolutely gorgeous) in the 10-20's and the dolls from le "Théâtre de la mode" in the 40's, for example.
Now it's time to close this chapter from the past and find out more about the one and only : Barbie !
We start the tour by a little explanation on where Barbie comes from. How Ruth Handler found out about Lilli on a trip to Germany, and got her husband and partners at Mattel to start producing similar dolls.
An interview of Ruth and Elliott explains the whole story from the creation of Mattel to the success of Barbie.
Bild Lilli / 1952 - 1964
Ruth and Elliott Handler
Mattel first successfull toys : Futureland Grand Toy piano 1948 - Uke-a-doodle 1947 - Tin music box carrousel 1953
After walking by the very first Barbie, we discover a panel of different dolls showing us the evolution of B's face and body through the years. From the 60's to the new Petite, Curvy and Tall ones.
Petite Blue Brocade, Curvy Chambray Chic and Tall White and Pink Pizzazz / 2016Turning around, we get a wonderful view on dozens of dolls from all time period, some of them standing next to a screen showing a commercial.
Here we find : Barbie Rock Star/1985 - Barbie Pet Doctor/1996 - Barbie Fashion Editor/1965
I can't name the others sorry, too recent for me i guess.
Beautiful Barbie Astronaut from 1985
Barbie as a fashion designer in the Busy Gal outfit from 1960
Barbie as a business woman in two Day-to-Night fashion from 1984
In the background, two Barbies running for president in 1992 and 2000
And Barbie Artist obviously dressed as a french girl! from 2008
In the background, Barbie as a Basketball champion from 1998
The last room on the first floor is a presentation of how a doll is made. From the choice of fabrics for the clothes to the choice of hair, head mold and body, introducing the new line of Barbie fashionistas: Petite, Tall and Curvy
On the second floor, after passing a presentation of different types of Barbie boxes, we discover a beautiful diorama representing the creation of a fashion line, from the studio to the final runway show. I loved it! I really wish it was my job to do stuff like that !!
The next room is about how the creators of Barbies were influenced by pop culture: Film, Music or Tv series (From Superheroes to Elvis or Mad Men) or even history and religion (like the creations of artists from Argentina Pool&Marianela)
Other big influences on Barbie's creators and designers, apart from career, pop culture, princesses etc. are : hobbies, travel and leisure. Barbie likes to ride a bike, sail or ski, go camping, to the beach or to a concert. If some of the dolls make us dream of what we could be, these dolls gives us the opportunity to identify to Barbie and are great to play with and easy to invent story for. The rockers collection are definitely big favorites !
Finally the last segment of this wonderful exhibition is about the first and favorite passion of Barbie : Fashion !
Barbie's first job was fashion model, and many designers, from Chanel to Versace or Dolce & Gabbana have dressed her. For example in the 80's, Oscar de La Renta designed a whole clothes line for her and BillyBoy made two beautiful dolls.
But she also became an inspiration to them. In their adverts, displays or even fashion lines, the face of and style of Barbie always spoke to people in search of glamour.
So, this is by far the longest post i've made here, but it's also by far the best Barbie exhibition i've been to and it gave me lots of ideas for future posts. My friends and I stayed 3 hours there and it felt like 15 minutes!!
I hope you get the chance to go and if not, maybe this "little post" will make you feel like you went!
By for now, take care ++
