There are dolls for all Barbie’s weddings. Here are seven ideas for her divorces.
PERSPECTIVE | Reimagining Barbie
Design and concept by Amy Collier and Susan Burghart. The views expressed are the opinions of the authors.
Barbie is the plastic Larry King — she’s had more weddings than anybody could hope to keep track of. Mattel is exceedingly talented at mashing up the words “bride” and “Barbie.” There’s Barbie Bride Doll, Beautiful Bride Barbie Doll, Rose Bride Barbie, Romantic Bride Barbie and Romantic Rose Bride Barbie. But if every girl’s favorite doll keeps getting hitched, it must mean she keeps getting un-hitched, too. For every Dream Fantasy Wedding™, there must have followed a Dream Fantasy Divorce™. We all prefer to remember good times over bad, but there are no action figures to commemorate these low moments: Barbie and Ken appear to suffer from classic denial psychopathologies. Perhaps Mattel is helping the couple save face. But for kids who care about Barbie vérité, here is a list of the missing dolls.
Deposition Diva Barbie
Subpoena Surprise Ken
Dissolution Dance Moves Barbie
Dreamhouse Realtor Midge
Alimony Paradise Vacation Barbie
Cool Times Weekend Dad Ken
Family Gossip Stacie & Skipper (with batteries)
This article was originally published on The Washington Post.
