COLOUR SWATCH: No 12 Barbie Pink.

This article focuses on the evolution of Barbie, the iconic fashion doll created by Ruth Handler in 1959, highlighting her initial diverse wardrobe and later association with the color pink. Inspired by Handler's independent sister and her daughter's preference for stylish paper dolls, Barbie was designed as a dynamic young woman with over 260 occupations, including astronaut and airline pilot. After Handler left Mattel in 1975, the brand shifted toward appealing to younger children through a strong pink branding, which distanced Barbie from her early feminist associations. Despite criticism for promoting consumerism and stereotypical femininity, Barbie maintained a pioneering role, such as being the first doll to run for president.