Item #4: Barbie Gets Modern

Recall a comment I made on a Brandchannel discussion wall about a year ago:


Up until recently, I, all-powerful Mom, would indeed have answered ‘No’ and not bought the toy. But… interest has been piqued of late. It seems as though Barbie might be realizing she needs to woo ‘Mom’ more than the girl.

Now, Tory Burch, Philip Crangi, Kate Spade’s Deborah Lyyod, Lorraine Schwartz, Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Monica Botkier, Justin Giunta, Albertus Swanepoel, Betsey Johnson and Alexis Bittar are all ‘dressing’ Barbie. (http://blogs.glam.com/glamchic/2010/01/25/barbie-gets-new-designer-duds/)












Betsey Johnson’s Barbie

And most recently, Christian Louboutin has collaborated with Barbie on the limited edition 'Dolly Forever' doll.












Photo via Net-a-Porter http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/fashion-news/2010/03/04/fashion-news-louboutin-barbie-the-power-of-alexa-chung-and-halston-to-relaunch-menswear/

Finally, and lest I forget, just last month, Barbie announced her two new professions - computer engineer and news anchor. (http://newslite.tv/2010/02/15/new-barbie-jobs-computer-engin.html)








So I am drawn back to the topic of the Brandchannel discussion:

Does the Barbie brand represent modern feminine identity?

Betsey Johnson? Christian Louboutin? Computer Engineer? News Anchor? This Mom is much more inclined to think ‘Yes she does’. And darling daughter might just be getting one for Christmas.