My Dollhouse: A House of Creativity

My favorite Christmas gift ever was a hand-built dollhouse. Like many kids, I adored playing with Barbie (Copyright: Mattel), Ken, Skipper, Francie, Midge, and all their fabulous friends. The outfits I dressed them in, especially those handmade by my grandmother and great-grandmother, remain some of my fondest memories. But the dollhouse that Santa delivered one Christmas stands out above all gifts.

Looking back, I realize that my love for design, fashion, and art likely sprouted from that dollhouse and the endless creativity it inspired (plus some artistic genes). I lost myself in a world of imagination, where the possibilities seemed as infinite as the clothes my Barbies could wear. Years later, I found out that my dad, with a little help from my sister, had built the dollhouse. It was a true product of the ’70s (and our real house), evoking the architectural style of The Brady Bunch, complete with a sloping roof. Inside, remnants of our green shag carpet and avocado linoleum flooring (because, well, it was the ’70s, and avocado green was the height of fashion). My favorite feature was the penny nails and wire used to make the railing on the outdoor balcony. They even built a shelf and closet rod in the bedroom, perfect for hanging all my Barbies’ fabulous clothes. I still have that dollhouse today—admittedly a bit worn, but nothing I can’t fix.

Barbie Exhibit Explored

Last October, while visiting New York City, I knew I had to check out the “Barbie: A Cultural Icon” exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design. I was lucky enough to be there on opening day, when I got to see the unveiling of the street sign: “Barbie Circle.” The exhibit was a feast for the eyes, showcasing 65 years of Barbie dolls, clothes, cars, accessories, and of course, Barbie Dream Houses. It was truly Barbielicious, displaying a wide array of Barbies, including Ken and the first Black doll, Christie.

 

I spent countless hours playing with my sister’s Barbies, and though I only received one new Barbie and Ken set, I did get a Barbie Camper and Barbie Airplane, the coolest way to fly ever! While at the exhibit, I was surprised to see several outfits from the ’60s and ’70s that I recognized from my own collection. In fact, I own nine of those outfits, which were actually displayed at the museum! It was an awe-inspiring moment to realize that I was the proud owner of pieces of documented history.

The Outfits!

A few years ago, when my parents moved, we packed up the dollhouse along with all my Barbies and their stunning outfits. Right now, the dollhouse is safe and sound with my brother, and I recently rediscovered my stash of Barbie clothes. Unfortunately, my nieces, nephews, and cousins weren’t particularly gentle with the dolls. Let’s just say that some have transformed into “Weird Barbie”, missing limbs and heads. So, while I’d love to show you the clothes properly, let’s just say the dolls aren’t quite model material anymore.

 

 

And of course, the exhibit featured Fashion Designers, such as my fave, Bob Mackie!! Barbie was always sure to be a glamour goddess in his designs. They even had designs by Karl Lagerfeld, Burberry and many more!

Barbie and Beyond

The exhibit highlighted how Barbie has evolved into much more than just a pretty face and perfect figure; she’s now a symbol of empowerment, proving that women can be and do anything they set their minds to. I love how diverse the Barbie world has become. She was airbrushed and photoshopped long before those terms even existed, but today’s Barbie Universe serves as a reminder that beauty isn’t defined by one specific standard as it includes different cultures, races, abilities, etc.

Barbie was more than just a doll to me; she was a gateway to my creativity. As I grew up, I eventually outgrew playing with Barbie, but she will always hold a special place in my heart, thanks to that one incredible Christmas gift. Honestly, who could ask for anything more?