Barbie Doll Celebrates 50th Birthday
Real Home Converted Into Barbie's Dream House
POSTED: Monday, March 9, 2009
One of America's most beloved dolls is celebrating her 50th birthday Monday in style.Barbie dollmaker Mattel commissioned interior decorator Jonathan Adler to bring Barbie's Malibu Dream House to life for a star-studded soiree.Adler has decked out a real-life 3,500-square-foot pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean to look like the blonde doll's outrageous home.Although the buzz over Barbie's 50th has been going on all year, Monday has been declared the official day of the doll's anniversary.In 1959, the Barbie doll, created by Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, made its public debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York. The doll was named for Handler's daughter, Barbara. Adler said outfitting the sleek mansion took six months of planning and a few weeks to install.The decorator has lined Barbie's bedroom with wall-to-wall pink carpeting emblazoned with her initial and the closet is filled with 50 pairs of pink peep-toe heels while her kitchen is stocked with cupcake-making ingredients.In addition, an in-house museum features 25 vintage Barbie dolls on display. In the garage is a pink Volkswagen New Beetle with a motorized pop-up vanity in the trunk. Following Monday's festivities, most of the Barbie decor will be shipped to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to furnish a special pink-tinted Barbie Suite.Over the years, Barbie -- in addition to her traditional blonde locks -- has represented several different races and cultures, and frequently has popped up in the likeness of a famous movie star or a singer. On the way she's been accompanied by her famous doll suitor, Ken, as well as several friends.Last month, Mattel unveiled at Toy Fair a retro-version of the iconic doll from the 1950s, complete with its vintage swimsuit.
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