Most of us “Gen X” babies would have grown up to a multitude of 80s cartoons and toys. We’re talking, robots and dolls made of plastic, rubber, die-cast, vinyl, the list is endless. And perhaps the most iconic toy that has survived and surpassed the boom of technology is a doll named, “Barbie”.
It’s safe to say that many “Gen X” girls grew up playing with one or more Barbie dolls. And the range of Barbie dolls, as well as accessories, are limitless! How many of you pleaded with and begged your mothers to buy new clothes, new shoes, a bed, and even a house for her? Remember all those little shoes or heels that would usually get misplaced or go missing altogether?
It’s okay. No shame in admitting it.
Did you know that Barbie was one of the first toys to have a marketing strategy based extensively on television advertising? The popular doll made it so big that she was widely copied by other toys and it has been estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in more than 150 countries! Mattel has even claimed that three Barbie dolls are sold every second.
Whoops! That means about 180 would’ve been sold by the time you read this sentence.
In a more recent event, Malaysia has, for the first time ever, officially launched its first Barbie store! True to the brand, the Barbie store is a girly wonderland of all things sugar, spice, and everything nice. Almost entirely pink, it is home to a plethora of dolls (from the lowest price range to the more expensive, collectors’ items), clothes (for Barbie and for kids), accessories, make-up, books, school gear, DVDs, CDs, so on and so forth.
Wall to wall Barbie merchandise? Yes please! And if that’s not enough, a word with the salespeople revealed that they also provide fashion shows and party planning. Party planning? Barbie-themed parties? Oh how we wish we were seven again!
What will it be? A walk down memory lane (and maybe some doll shopping secretly) or a trip for the young ones? Either way, go get your colourful splash of happy already!
Barbie Store Malaysia is located at:
Lot T-027&052. 3rd Floor,
Mid Valley Megamall,
Mid Valley City,
Lingkaran Syed Putra,
59200, Kuala Lumpur
For more information call them at 03-2283 1139.
