By Danielle Broadway and Jorge Garcia
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – From the first blonde haired Barbie created by Mattel in 1959 to the upcoming “Barbie” film, the iconic doll with small feet continues to make a large impression on generations of fans at the new “World of Barbie” immersive experience in Los Angeles.
This trip is not just for young girls, said Lucy Treadway, producer for Kilburn Live, which built the life-sized version of Barbie’s Dreamhouse.
“It’s for grownups too,” Treadway said in an interview. “To see people’s faces when they walk in, it is really is fun. I mean, their jaws hit the ground, all ages.”
Gender does not matter, she added, noting that both little girls and boys scream with excitement when they arrive.
Guests can explore rooms in the 20,000 square-foot attraction dedicated to Barbie’s careers and hobbies as well as an assortment of doll selections that celebrate diversity.
“The message is you can be anything, and it’s such a huge value for kids when they can walk into a room and see astronaut Barbie and see all the different careers that would never dawn on a child, that they could be something,” Treadway said.
The dolls have come to represent inclusivity over the years with the message that children, no matter their background, can be anything, she added.
Fans are encouraged to express their own style at the “World of Barbie” through the viral “Barbiecore” fashion trend of girly pink outfits and accessories.
The craze took off in 2022 when celebrities, including “Barbie” star Margot Robbie, Zendaya, Lizzo, Florence Pugh and Anne Hathaway, began sporting themed outfits at events ahead of the “Barbie” live-action film opening in July.
Fans can also buy Barbies and Barbiecore accessories at the “World of Barbie,” with plenty of options for customers to embrace their love for the Barbie world.
(Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Jorge Garcia; Editing by Mary Milliken and Richard Chang)
