Dressing Barbie

If you've ever had a Barbie doll, chances are it was dressed in one of the thousands of designs created by Carol Spencer during her remarkable thirty-five-year tenure as a Barbie fashion designer. In honor of Barbie’s sixtieth anniversary, this book is a vibrant celebration of the iconic outfits that defined America’s favorite doll and the extraordinary woman behind them. Featuring over 100 full-color photographs, including many rare and never-before-seen pieces from Spencer’s private collection, it showcases some of the most memorable Barbie looks from the early 1960s to the late 1990s. Alongside captivating behind-the-scenes stories of her design process, Spencer shares her experiences at Mattel, collaborating with legendary figures like Ruth Handler and Charlotte Johnson. Throughout her career, Spencer earned numerous accolades, becoming the first designer to have her signature on a doll, the first to embark on a signing tour, and the creator of the biggest-selling Barbie of all time. She now offers an insider's perspective on the fashion world of the quintessential California girl, revealing insights into a beloved cultural icon.