David Bowie is now a Barbie
David Bowie has been immortalised in the form of a Barbie
David Bowie has been immortalised in the form of a Barbie.
Mattel unveiled an official limited edition Barbie inspired by the late star’s genderfluid Ziggy Stardust persona.
Barbie has gone through a drastic makeover for the look, adopting Bowie’s red hair, iconic metallic space suit and cherry-red platform boots.
David Bowie Barbie pays tribute to ‘pop chameleon’
A release explained: “In a definitive celebration of two pop culture icons, Barbie honors the ultimate pop chameleon, English singer, songwriter and actor, David Bowie, whose dramatic musical transformations continue to influence and inspire.
“With a career spanning over five decades, David Bowie was at the vanguard of contemporary culture as a musician, artist, and icon.
“He was, and remains to be, a unique presence in contemporary culture.”
David Bowie has been immortalised in the form of a Barbie
The company clarified that doll, which comes in “specially-designed packaging displaying a collage of images from Bowie’s early career,” will only be produced in limited quantities.
The doll received a warm reaction online, with fans praising the fluid approach to gender shown by making the Bowie Barbie instead of a Bowie Ken.
One tweeted: “Teach the kids that gender doesn’t matter and space is cool as s**t.”
Another added: “I really don’t approve of gender stereotyped toys for kids. But at least this is a step in the right direction!”
Others joked that the late Bowie “would have gotten a kick out of this.”
Barbie has had a diverse makeover
Barbie has had other variants celebrating real-world individuals including Frida Kahlo and NASA data engineer Katherine Johnson, as part of its “Inspiring Women” range.
In 2016, Barbie got a diverse made over, as Mattel released 33 new dolls with dozens of different hair colours, hairstyles, skin tones, eye colours, face shapes and body shapes.
Mattel executive Evelyn Mazzocco said the diversity-focused line is “more reflective of the world girls see around them – the variety in body type, skin tones and style allows girls to find a doll that speaks to them.”
