Barbie's 50th Birthday
Milestone Birthdays for Barbie, Sesame Street, Hello Kitty in 2009
Feb 20, 2009
Get out the birthday candles and stock up on cake mixes and punch. Everyone’s buzzing about Barbie, who turns 50 this year. The world’s most famous doll isn’t the only pop icon lighting up a significant number of candles. Meanwhile, fans commemorate the storied histories of Sesame Street and Hello Kitty.
Barbie's 50th Birthday, Half a Century of Fabulousness
Aka Barbara Millicent Roberts, this famous baby boomer kicked off her yearlong birthday bash February 14 with a Barbie Runway Show at Fashion Week in New York. First launched in 1959 as the Teenage Fashion Model, “Barbie” strutted down the runway in “real-size, Barbie-inspired looks” created by 50 world-renowned fashion designers – including Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka and Calvin Klein – according to a Mattel news release.
Numerous events are slated for fans to commemorate Barbie’s half-century anniversary. On her actual birthday – March 9 – an invitation-only bash will be held at the Barbie Dream House in Malibu, Calif. Styled and decorated by interior designer Jonathan Adler, the glamorous beach house features Barbie pottery, furniture and other décor created in her honor.
Sesame Street Hits the Big 4-0
Three generations of children have experienced the popular educational TV program, which aired its inaugural episode November 10, 1969. The show featured four human characters (Gordon, Susan, Bob and Mr. Hooper) during its first season; Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch were the only Muppets to appear regularly, according to the show’s Web site, sesameworkshop.org.
The multicultural, educational icon became an instant success and appeared on the cover of Time magazine by its first birthday. Fans of all ages took notice. In January 1970, The New York Times reported that children from low-income households who regularly tuned in were achieving more than twice the educational gains than children who did not watch Sesame Street.
The show has tremendous staying power. Today, Sesame Workshop estimates approximately 8 million viewers watch the show each week, and more than 77 million are Sesame Street "graduates." Recent visitors to the famous street include Feist, Jonah Hill, Queen Latifah and John Mayer. A new book, Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street, lays out the show’s colorful history for diehard Muppet-lovers.
Hello Kitty Turns 35
Hello Kitty, or HK as she’s known among fans, turns 35 Nov. 1. Launched by Sanrio in 1974, Hello Kitty appeals to all ages. Although she’s approaching middle-age status herself, she shows no signs of slowing down. Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey and Paris Hilton – all have been seen sporting this feline’s unforgettable mug.
Hello Kitty is featured on more than 20,000 items worldwide that sell with very little paid advertising. There are pens, stuffed animals, designer handbags, appliances and even a lawnmower. Hello Kitty jewelry is hot. Take, for example, the Hello Kitty diamond, black onyx, citrine, ruby and white gold pendant by Kimora Lee Simmons. Price tag: $4,500.
According to sanrio.com, Hello Kitty has collaborated with M-A-C Cosmetics to launch a limited edition collection of make-up and accessories. All is not bliss, however, in Hello Kitty land. The line, along with 30 designer couture creations, were launched Feb. 5 in New York, to the chagrin of some Barbie fans who insisted Hello Kitty was trying to upstage Barbie’s birthday thunder during Fashion Week.
Beyond Birthday Buzz
These popular brands will produce a number of birthday collectibles for fans in 2009. Admirers also can help charities through brand partnerships. Sanrio is celebrating Hello Kitty’s birthday by donating $5 from the sale of each exclusive T-shirt to the Humane Society of the United States.
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