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California Girl

Teenage Doll
2003 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Barbie is a best-selling fashion doll launched in 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, Inc and invented by Ruth Handler, whose own daughter was called Barbara. In recent years, however, Barbie has faced increasing competition from the Bratz range of dolls. This doll was produced in 2003 in Indonesia by Mattel.

This object was acquired in 2007, donated to the Museum from the BBC, who made a programme on Barbie for their Money Week special. The doll Christie, belongs to the California Girl range of Barbie which was launched to appeal to older girls; those who are getting too old for the fantasy Barbie themes such as Barbie Fairytopia.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Toys (Recreational Artifacts)
  • Fashion Dolls
  • Toys (Recreational Artifacts)
  • Boxes (Containers)
Titles
  • California Girl (series title)
  • Christie (manufacturer's title)
Materials and techniques
Moulded pastic, card and acrylic
Brief description
Christie, California Girl range by Mattel made in Indonesia in 2003
Physical description
Christie is an Black American doll with dark skin and long dark afro hair which has blonde hightlights in the front. She is wearing a pair of pink shorts and bikini top with a pink short sleaved jacket, a bandana on her head, a necklace, a pair of blue sunglasses in her hand and a paper tag on her wrist with the word Christie written on it. The box is orange and cream printed card round the edges and back and an acrylic front to see the product inside. The word Barbie is written on a pink background of card at the top, and the words California Girl are in the box on orange card. There is a picture of Christie on the left hand side of the box. The back of the box has a flap, which when lifted up, reveals images of Barbie dolls and black text.
Dimensions
  • Box height: 32.7cm
  • Box width: 9.4cm
  • Box depth: 4.9cm
Credit line
Given by Mattel UK Ltd
Summary
Barbie is a best-selling fashion doll launched in 1959. The doll is produced by Mattel, Inc and invented by Ruth Handler, whose own daughter was called Barbara. In recent years, however, Barbie has faced increasing competition from the Bratz range of dolls. This doll was produced in 2003 in Indonesia by Mattel.

This object was acquired in 2007, donated to the Museum from the BBC, who made a programme on Barbie for their Money Week special. The doll Christie, belongs to the California Girl range of Barbie which was launched to appeal to older girls; those who are getting too old for the fantasy Barbie themes such as Barbie Fairytopia.
Collection
Accession number
B.26:1, 2-2009

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Record createdJuly 17, 2009
Record URL
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