Barbies Big Night At The CFDA Awards
Scooping up the Nights Tribute Award
Barbie turned 60 this year. Its crazy right, her distinct looks have been immortalized for decades.
Last night at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards, Barbie was given the honor of a Board of Directors Tribute Award. This award has been previously accepted by the likes of First Lady Michelle Obama, Tom Ford Jangle Monáe and Cecile Richards to name a few. The CFDA’s Board is comprised of fashion stars like Vera Wang and Tommy Hilfiger - and they chose Barbie as the recipient of this year's award.
Barbie has been the worlds number one fashion doll for decades and has inspired fashion in a way that no other doll has, with a lasting impression too.
“Barbie has had such a wide influence on American fashion and culture, her story personally resonates with so many CFDA members that the Board of Directors decided to honor her with the special tribute.”
Steven Kolb, President, and CEO of the CFDA.
Throughout her life Barbie has collaborated with over 75 designers and influencers ranging from Oscar de la Renta in 1985 to Jeremy Scott in 2014, and whilst we understand this huge achievement for Mattel and all the contributors supporting Barbie, we can’t help but wonder if people are forgetting some of the lower moments surrounding this brands legacy.
In 2016, Mattel released the Barbie Fashionistas line of dolls which were proven to champion diversity and change in the industry, but according to a 2006 Development Psychology article it was reported that girls exposed to the doll “reported lower body esteem and a greater desire for a thinner body shape”. It is a known fact that children are influenced by the toys they play with, and with Barbie's BMI being a reported 35 pounds below the "healthy" range of a woman who stands at 5’9 it isn’t hard to see why issues have risen with the manufacturer. Plus we can’t forget their main competitors, the Bratz dolls. Unlike Barbie, they thrived on the racial diversity of their friendship group and was consistently introducing new characters with varied ethnicities. Yet with Barbie, children are well aware there is only one ‘real’ Barbie, and she is white and blonde.
The CFDA has a long and rich history of honoring individuals who truly conceptualize and change the industry. Plus we completely agree with the award being handed to Barbie, we just want to make sure that no important details are brushed over in this modern age. We know things were different in the 1950s, but we’re happy that Barbie as a brand has been innovated to fit in with the current climate. Congrats on the award Barbie!
Next up, Model Adwoa Aboah Is Turned Into A Barbie For International Women’s Day
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