Author Karan Feder’s new book “Barbie Takes the Catwalk” Illustrates the connection of Paris Couture + Barbie’s Personal Style

Once upon a time, an eleven inch tall buxom figure named “Barbie” dressed in a black and white strapless bathing suit with a sassy blonde ponytail (and pouty lip) appeared at a toy show. After that, there was no telling where Barbie could go. She recently starred in a movie that will go down in history as one of the world’s most successful movies. Her Co-Star “Ken” even received an Oscar Nomination. Before her star turn in Hollywood, Barbie’s life as a ‘multi-career practitioner’ and fashion icon is well documented. But wait, there’s more.

A new book with a unique approach by author Karan Feder has brought the Barbie legend to life in connection to Paris couture fashions. A rich and varied source of inspiration for the designers at Mattel, the beautifully designed coffee table book “Barbie Takes the Catwalk” is the perfect gift for lovers of this iconic fashion model with full illustrations, photos and text.

Barbie’s Couture Connection is also a Culture Connection

Barbie as a fashion icon, celebrity and children’s toy is just the beginning of her story. The author brings us a fresh new look about how the doll was developed from a fashion perspective.  Her research into where the original fashions came from, how the dolls clothes were developed through time is a focus of her book and reflected in the recently opened exhibit in Phoenix.  With access to a unique (*private) Barbie collection of the clothes and dolls who act as ‘models’ bring us this exciting peek into the closet of Barbie and her impact on worldwide culture with a distinct “Parisian” flair.

Barbie’s Fashions Chart the Role of Women from the 1960s-1980s

The unique moments in history for the Barbie doll and its historic reflection of both the fashion and culture make her a recognizable icon in American culture.  Who can forget all the jobs Barbie took on as women stormed the workplace.  Who could forget the dolls that were part of the 1970s women’s movement or the glamorous 1980s at the height of the Republican golden age when conservatism, materialism and globalism crashed at one glittering moment.  

About the Author Karan Feder

The Curator of the Las Vegas Entertainment Museum, Karan Kaufman Feder wrote the book highlighting the unique collection of Barbie Dolls and the original clothes that reflected the couture catwalks of Paris.  She is also responsible for the curation and preservation of the unique showgirl costumes from the Las Vegas Follies Bergere. Karan’s research into the untold history of the American edition of the Folies Bergère musical revue was published in the groundbreaking book The Folies Bergere in Las Vegas. Karan’s the President of Entertainment Exhibitions and look here for her other publications. www.EntertainmentExhibitions.com and she lives in Las Vegas with her Husband, Michael Feder.

Editor’s Note: Purchase the Barbie Book from our Partners at AMAZON Here Photos are used with permission of the author.

Listen to this podcast review on our upcoming launch at PATREON.com at “Le Club Paris”