by Leonore Dicker
 
Everyone knows Barbie, the world’s most famous fashion doll. She’s beautiful, stylish and never grows old – or so you think.
 
Barbie –also known as Barbara Millicent Roberts– was created by Ruth Handler who named her after her daughter. She was first manufactured in March 1959, which makes her 56-years old! Her partner, Ken Carson, was invented two years and two days after her and is consequently 54-years old.
 
While she hasn’t aged one bit since her birth, she’s had nearly 150 different jobs (including being an astronaut and a rapper), has had numerous hairstyles and has owned an infinite amount of clothes.
 
Her existence alone has inspired a handful of fashion designers, including Reem Acra, who once said: “Barbie has always been an inspiration. Dressing her was part of every girl’s dream”.