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The Conversation
The Conversation
Lifestyle
Daisy McManaman, PhD Candidate, Centre for Women's Studies, University of York

RARE PHOTOS: Hyper femininity can be subversive and empowering just ask barbie - The Real Truth

I found Barbie again during 2020’s COVID lockdown. Indoors, confined to Juicy Couture tracksuits, I was missing excuses to express my hyper-femininity through clothing, as I had done pre-pandemic. Collecting Barbie dolls became a way to display my love of femininity in all it’s fun, ridiculous and pink-saturated possibilities.

My shelf of Barbies – from Western Winking Barbie (1981) to Enchanted Evening Barbie (1995) – is now my favourite part of my home. But for many, her rediscovery will come through Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie, Barbie – the doll’s first live action film, starring Margot Robbie.

Trailer for the 2023 Barbie movie.
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