Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie

Meryl Cates | Sep 11, 2008 | 0

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie

The Barbie doll of my youth was modern and trendy.  She had a chic haircut and the option of a sophisticated cocktail dress, or the most colorful workout gear to hit the gym (complete with headband and 80's style boom-box along for the ride).  By then, Ken was just another one of her accessories whose only purpose was to fill the passenger seat of her sports car as she zoomed around your bedroom floor.  She was always up-to-date, except when it came to Ballerina Barbie.

Of course, many girls played with her as well.  Her pointe shoes were laced almost to her knee, her hair was half-up-half-down so you could still brush her signature flowing locks, and her costume was modeled after the romantic style tutus.  Barbie was always a doll that was at the height of modernity.  So, with the innovations in dance, when did she miss the boat?

This may be why there is so much buzz surrounding the newest edition to the Mattel line, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie Doll, which will be released this fall/winter season.

There are already message boards, with all ages, discussing their excitement about the Barbie and their race to pre-order.  The doll was created in celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and their contributions to American modern dance.  This will mark the first time a Barbie Doll was modeled specifically for a particular company, although a few years back it was rumored that Nutcracker Barbie was designed after Maria Kowroski from The New York City Ballet.

Artistic Director, Judith Jamison, designed the Barbie to resemble the dancers of the company and their performance style. The details of the doll are most interesting, as the make-up has been designed to resemble real stage make-up, the feet are sculpted in the correct position, and the authenticity is undeniable as her costume is a replica of the white lace dress from "wade in the Water" from "Revelations".  Positioned mid-leap, the Barbie also reflects the style of the company, a style which made them so groundbreaking in their seamless fusion of dance genres to create what Ailey called American dance.

This is a Barbie that represents more than an anniversary celebration for Ailey, and Jamison and AAADT's wish to "unite people of all backgrounds through the universal language of dance".  This is an opportunity to introduce dance innovation to people all over the country who are not as familiar with our own country's influence and contributions to the dance world.  In the meantime, at least there won't be any pointe shoes tied up the leg.

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Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Modern, Broadway, Ballroom, Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Retailer, Studio, Competitions & Conventions, Performance, Alvin Ailey, Barbie, Judith Jamison (all tags)