On the Occasion of Barbie’s 60th Birthday, Here’s How a Dating App Reimagines Her

Cultural iconic doll ‘Barbie’ recently celebrated her 60th birthday on March 9. One has to acknowledge that no other doll or toy in the toy world has garnered such adulation such as the ‘Barbie.’ She has donned several roles that of an Astronaut, Pilot, TV News Reporter, Doctor, Scuba Diver and many more and she did it with natural ease.

For years Barbie who is also known as Barbara Millicent Roberts in novels has been a role model to young girls influencing them to follow their dreams. She has set high benchmarks when it comes to personality and body image.  

The huge fame garnered by ‘Barbie’ has led her into controversies too. She has such a huge fan base and thus parents were concerned that their young daughters would begin to emulate her body image which was considered unrealistic to some. They were concerned that the body image would lead to an increase in the number of anorexia cases.

Her body image became a source of criticism. Following the glare of media attention and controversies, Mattel decided to diversify its range of Barbie dolls. It now included tall, petite and curvy body types. The curvy body type dolls were most welcomed. She also made it to the cover of Time magazine with the catchy headline, ‘Can We Stop Talking about My Body.’

After witnessing the doll being a “perfect role model” for numerous years, who would ever imagine the doll growing old! A dating app catering to individuals over 50- Lumen has done just that!  Lumen reimagined what the doll would look like at the age of sixty and the results surprised us. The photos resonated with Barbie fans and they felt that she looked just as beautiful and elegant as when she entered into our world.

The photos were released as part of a campaign to celebrate and embrace the beauty of aging. Co-founder of Lumen Charly Lester said, “Many women say that in their fifties and sixties they’ve never felt more empowered in their own skin and this should be reflected by influential icons like Barbie.”

Lester also expressed that they want the toy industry to consider producing toys with an archaic touch to send across a message that not everybody needs to be a success as the age of 20. Success can well be attained a later stage too.

By releasing the photo series on Barbie at sixty Lumen has emphasized on two notions. First-success need not be attained at a specific phase of your life. One can relish the fruits of labour at any age one chooses to. Second, being that there’s beauty in aging. It is how comfortably you embrace the beauty of your age and reflect it positively on those around you. 

Mattel may take these interesting cues and use them to their advantage in their upcoming versions of Barbie dolls.