Barbie - Black Canary

Is the new Barbie an S&M Barbie? Typically, we think of Barbie dolls as mostly wholesome toys. However, for a lot of folks, the new “Black Canary Barbie” brings to mind a dominatrix more than a child’s toy.Some people are up in arms about Mattel’s new “Black Canary” Barbie which comes equipped with fishnets, a motorcycle jacket, black gloves and boots. The doll is set to be released in September, but protesters assert that her clothes look like an S & M outfit, and they are hoping to block her release.Mattel claims that the Black Canary Barbie is modeled after the DC comic superhero Black Canary. Look at the photo above and decide for yourself: Superhero or dominatrix?

Barbie was created in 1959 and has been going strong in various designs and incarnations ever since. In 1945, Elliot and Ruth Handler started a company with Harold Matson that they named “Mattel” - joining the two names. In the beginning they planned to build and sell picture frames. However, Elliot began a side business of making dollhouse furniture out of extra picture frame pieces.

Ruth noticed that her daughter, Barbara, and her friends played with grown up paper dolls instead of baby dolls. Ruth decided that Barbara needed a doll that could spark her imagination of what it would be like when she grew up. Ruth purchased a doll in Europe that was based on a German comic strip and was a gag gift for adults. She brought the doll back to the United States and started working on redesigning it for children.Her new doll was named Barbie after her daughter, Barbara. The first Barbie Doll was presented at the Toy Fair in New York City on March 9, 1959.

Barbie’s real full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Her parents are George and Margaret Roberts from Willows, Wisconsin - a fictional town. In February 2004, there was a press release from Mattel with the sad news that Barbie and Ken had broken up. However, they reconciled in February 2006.Barbie has a sister named Skipper. Later, Barbie’s family expanded to include a twin brother and sister named Tuttie (later named Stacey) and Todd, a younger sister named Kelly and a baby sister named Krissy. Barbie has two cousins as well - Jazzie and Francie.