The Prototypes

The making of a Barbie doll starts with an idea. The designers pull inspiration from everything around them. They’ll create their design by looking at current societal and cultural trends ranging from fashions, advertisements, media, and the ever-evolving world. They will use this inspiration to develop a creative model. The early stages of the doll is beginning to take shape!

A team of artists and designers select every detail, choosing from 52 hair colors in a range of textures, 9 body types, and 35 skin tones. Combining these three elements creates infinite possibilities to reflect the world we see today.

Once designers select a face shape, they hand paint each detail to ensure that every doll is uniquely beautiful and intricate. The painting process typically talks about 3 hours to complete. Next, designers will use a specialized sewing machine and complete a process called “rooting.” This hour-long process involves extreme attention to detail where hair stylists hand “root” each individual strand of hair onto the doll.

Fun Fact: A Barbie doll’s hair is made from the same material as Plastic Wrap! (No wonder her hair is so soft!)