40th Anniversary Barbie

There are few American women who can say they have not been touched in some way by the Barbie phenomenon. After appearing with little fanfare some 40 years ago in a '50s-style black-and-white striped bathing suit, she worked her way up from a factory assembly line (literally) to the limelight. High-heeled, smoky-eyed, and flaunting those trademark cascading blonde curls, she made the world fall in love with her--and apparently it loves her now more than ever. To celebrate her four decades on the scene, Mattel commissioned this Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Barbie doll for collectors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds (see alternative Anniversary Barbie). She wears a sparkling black-and-white striped gown with sheer gathers at the shoulders and an explosion of fabric designed as a fishtail hem that absolutely defies gravity. But what makes Barbie popular to collectors is her ability to accessorize down to the tiniest detail. In this instance, she wears "diamond" drop earrings, sheer black pantyhose, black pumps, an extravagant diamond choker, and a diamond tiara placed in dramatically upswept hair. Our anniversary girl holds a bouquet of 40 pink roses with a tiny card that says "Happy 40th Anniversary." This Barbie steps into the present--with a wink at the past--with the inclusion of the "doll's doll." That is, 40th Anniversary Barbie comes with her own scaled-down premier doll, dressed in said bathing suit and packaged in a box that mimics the original. It all comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty and display stand. Enjoy. --Diane Beall

• Today, looking better than ever Barbie proudly holds 40 beautiful "roses," one for each year of her extraordinary success in inspiring generations of women to reach for the stars and pursue their best dreams.