Barbie
Barbie - The Book, a cultural icon in plastic and in print.
This richly illustrated volume charts the evolution of Barbie from her debut in 1959 to the present day. Conceived by Mattel co‑founder Ruth Handler, Barbie broke with the limited domestic archetypes of her time, offering girls a figure with independence, ambition, and endless possibilities. Designed as part of Assouline’s Classics Collection, the book features a silk hardcover, 340 pages, and over 350 illustrations.
Decade by decade, the book explores Barbie’s place in history, her changing styles, expanding identities, and cultural impact, with rare imagery, sharp insights, and fascinating facts. From fashion collaborations and political milestones to Hollywood reinventions, Barbie has embodied over 250 careers and inspired generations worldwide.
More than a billion dolls later, she remains a mirror to the world and a launchpad for imagination.
Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
The makers
Assouline
Founded in Paris in 1994 by Prosper and Martine Assouline, the publishing house began with La Colombe d’Or, a tribute to the storied hotel and restaurant in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, photographed by Prosper and written by Martine.
Over the past three decades, Assouline has grown into an internationally recognised luxury lifestyle brand, exploring the worlds of art, fashion, architecture, travel, design, gastronomy and popular culture. Each title transforms the traditional coffee-table book into an object of beauty, inviting curiosity, conversation and a little escapism into the home.
