Since its creation in 1959, the Barbie doll has become an iconic image in popular culture. Its influence on millions of little girls is indisputable and somewhat controversial.

Barbie was an innovation. Whereas traditional dolls were babies, Barbie was a woman. Unlike other dolls, Barbie represented independent single western women and their diverse career opportunities. The international success of the Barbie doll coincided with the rise of feminism. Women's new career options gave Mattel the opportunity to sell more products. Once a girl had a Barbie doll, she could continue to purchase a large range of outfits and accessories. In this way Mattel 'trained' children to keep collecting Barbie products and remain loyal to the brand.

This particular Barbie playset was marketed to go with a set of Barbie and Ken dolls: a pop group - Barbie and the Rockers. The dolls and the playset are a reflection of the era in which they were made and marketed: the mid 1980s. Being in a rock band had become particularly cool and something young people aspired to from quite a young age. The style of playset is typical of the mid 1980s: fluorescent pinks and yellows, and glitter trimmings. Barbie is always an interesting expression of the ever-changing fashions and fads of youth popular culture.

Damian McDonald
April 2009

The plastic parts of the set were made in the USA, and the paper backdrop and arch were made, printed and packaged in Australia.

This playset was purchased to go with Barbie and the Rockers dolls for a six year old girl by her mother in 1986. The child played with the dolls quite regularly, though the playset was probably more of an obstacle to her games than an asset to them due to the assembling required.

The dolls and playset were purchased by a curator at the Powerhouse Museum in 2009 for an exhibition on Australian life in the 1980s.

Doll's playset , 'Barbie and the Rockers', including stage, instruments and accessories, plastic / paper, made by Mattel Inc, Australia and United States of America, 1985

When set up, the playset has a black plastic floor, in two connecting pieces, with a silver glitter trim. On the back outside edges of the floor there are clips to insert the cardboard backdrops. One backdrop features an image of stars and spotlights. An arch attaches over the backdrop with the name 'Rockers' printed across it. The other backdrop features an image of a backstage room with dressing table and wardrobe. The arch that attaches over this backdrop features the image of spotlights. The accessories include a pink and a blue guitar, a pink keyboard, a stage light on stand, a TV camera on stand, and two pre-recorded audio cassettes. For the backstage setting the accessories are four hair brushes, four hand mirrors, and four chairs. There are also four doll stands, and one larger star-shaped stand.

Made: 1985

2009/35/2-1

1985

350 mm

560 mm

120 mm