Episode 250: Hoes of History: Barbie Origin Story

The Homance Chronicles

This is the dark history behind Barbie. Step into the time machine and travel back to the post-war era as we uncover the captivating origin story of the world's most iconic fashion doll. We dig into the intriguing journey of the Bild Lilli doll and how it paved the way for the creation of Barbie.

We unravel the tale of Lilli, a sassy and stylish doll who made her debut in the late 1950s. Explore the history of Lilli as she evolved from a cartoon character in a German tabloid to a must-have doll that captured the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Lilli's daring and avant-garde fashion sense challenged societal norms and reflected the changing attitudes of women in the 1950s. Lilli is almost an anti-Barbie. From her risqué outfits to her confident demeanor, Lilli pushed boundaries and left a lasting impact on pop culture.

But the story doesn't end there. Enter Ruth Handler, the shady co-founder of Mattel. Inspired by Lilli's allure, Handler basically stole Lilli and re-branded her as Barbie in the United States. She had an obsession with Barbie's figure that actually ends up having an ironic twist in her life.

Get your Homance apparel: etsy.com/shop/nicolebonneville

Follow us on IG: @homance_chronicles

Connect with us: linktr.ee/homance

Send us a Hoe of History request: [e-mail]