Assouline Barbie

Celebrate 65 years of style, ambition, and evolution with this vibrant tribute to Barbie—the doll who redefined possibility. Born in 1959 from the vision of Mattel founder Ruth Handler, Barbie broke the mold of domestic expectation and stepped into the world as a symbol of independence, curiosity, and reinvention. This richly illustrated volume spans every decade of Barbie’s journey, chronicling her transformation from mid-century bombshell to modern-day trailblazer. With over 350 images—many never before seen—and stories linking her to figures from Marilyn Monroe to Margot Robbie, the book explores Barbie’s multifaceted legacy, from high fashion to heroism. A striking presence on a coffee table, styled in a child’s playroom, or placed in a dressing room alongside vintage accessories, this book is as much a design object as it is a cultural document—celebrating the doll who has lived more than a billion lives, in over 250 careers, across every corner of the globe.