Spencer's Story on Styling Barbie

Carol Spencer ‘55 recently gave an interview to CNN about designing outfits and styles for the ubiquitous Barbie doll.

In relation to the Barbie movie now out in theaters, cable news outlet CNN has recently interviewed Spencer on her status of being Barbie's primary fashion designer from 1963 to 1999. Several highlights in Spencer's career include collaborating with the doll's creator Ruth Handler, creating different outfits based on relevant styles, and getting her name printed on the back of a 1996 Golden Jubilee Barbie doll, which no other Barbie designer has received the distinction of.

"Barbie’s clothing and style has to be understandable to a child,” she's stated. “So we always waited for fashions to become established before creating pieces for Barbie. She also had to be wholesome — we always had to put underpants on the Barbie, for instance — but also a fun toy.”

Learn more

• Dressing Barbie: Meet the designer who created a miniature fashion icon
  (cnn.com — July 14, 2023)
• What it was like to Design for Barbie
  (lithub.com — August 14, 2023)