With the release of the new “Barbie” film, it’s no surprise Barbiemania has spread across the globe. “Barbie” has been a symbol of beauty and a fashion icon through the decades.
Created in 1959 as a 19–year-old, “Barbie” celebrated her 83rd birthday most recently, yet her appearance is stuck in time. New data from Lottie (a later living marketplace) has found more people than ever before are searching for Barbie’s real age, with online searches for ‘how old is “Barbie” supposed to be’ surging by 5000%.
Over time, society’s perception of beauty has evolved, recognising the importance of representation and inclusivity. That’s why Lottie, a company committed to elevating later living and age-positive initiatives, has unveiled a reimagined, age-friendly “Barbie”.
Through expertly recreated images, Lottie reveals the beauty of an ageing “Barbie”, challenging stereotypes and misconceptions of growing old to inspire a more age-inclusive world.
“In a world that often worships youthfulness and fears ageing, the positive aspects of growing older are frequently overlooked. Ageing is a natural journey marked by wisdom, experience, and resilience. Younger generations must witness representations of age in the media and their lives to understand and appreciate life’s diverse stages, shares Chris Donnelly, co-founder at Lottie.
“At Lottie, we firmly believe in promoting inclusivity and representation across all age groups. Our age-friendly “Barbie” is a powerful step towards challenging stereotypes and inspiring individuals to embrace every stage of life with confidence and pride. Younger generations need to witness the beauty of ageing to create a world where everyone’s journey is celebrated.
“With the launch of our age-friendly “Barbie”, we invite people of all ages to join the movement and celebrate the beauty of ageing. Together, we can pave the way for a future where individuals are seen, accepted, and celebrated, regardless of age”, concludes Chris Donnelly.
What’s more, women of all ages are welcoming an age-friendly “Barbie”
Betty is 84, almost the same age as “Barbie” and shared: “I’d very much welcome an age-friendly “Barbie”. As I’ve gotten older, I feel like the representation of older generations in the media is often not true to my lifestyle. Even though I’m in my 80s, I still love to get my hair done and wear nice clothes and jewellery – it would be great to see what “Barbie” would look like if she were in her 80s.”
54-year-old Ann shared: “I remember playing with “Barbie” when I was younger; as I got older, I even used some of my favourite “Barbie” dolls for fashion inspiration. I learnt to make my own clothes and would use a sewing machine to make all kinds of outfits, and I wouldn’t even try to make a Barbie outfit now as I feel too old to wear those clothes.”
26-year-old Jessica shared: “I feel like there are many negative assumptions about growing old, and it would be nice to see these misconceptions broken down. I’m only 26. I already feel a sudden panic about ageing and society’s expectations for the stage I’m at in my life. Seeing an age-friendly “Barbie” living her best life would be amazing – that’s how I aspire to be as I age.”
Here’s how Lottie’s age-friendly “Barbie” redefines beauty standards and celebrates the positives of ageing:
Timeless beauty
Lottie’s age-friendly “Barbie” highlights the beauty of growing old. The lines on one’s face or the grey hairs that start to show are a testament to the wisdom gained, memories created, and the laughter shared from a fulfilled life as we age.
Life’s wisdom
As we age, we gather wisdom and knowledge from life’s diverse experiences and challenges. Embracing age means embracing the lessons learned, the growth achieved, and the plenty of life lessons to be shared with younger generations.
Resilience and adaptability
Each of us follows a unique path and learns to navigate life’s ups and downs, becoming more resilient and adaptable. Ageing empowers individuals to face challenges with grace and strength.
Having greater representation of older generations in the media shows younger generations there’s plenty to look forward to as they grow older.
The importance of relationships
Throughout our lives, we all develop meaningful relationships, from connections with family, friends, and our local community. An age-friendly “Barbie” can encourage intergenerational friendship and encourage connections to form across different generations.
Varied representation of age
Society plays a vital role in shaping perceptions, attitudes, and cultural norms. Younger generations need to witness the beauty and strength of ageing, breaking away from the stereotypes that have long confined older individuals to limited roles in narratives. We can create a more compassionate, inclusive, and age-friendly society by embracing age-positive initiatives like Lottie’s age-friendly “Barbie”.
