The XX Factor : barbie

Forget Michelle Obama—Barbie Is the New Black Fashion Icon

Nina Shen Rastogi — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Italian Vogue is celebrating Barbie's 50th anniversary—not to mention the first anniversary of its historic all-black issue (isn't that the most gorgeous photo of Naomi Campbell you've ever seen?)—with a very cool little supplement called "The Barbie...(read more)

Will the real 47 year old please stand up?

E.J. Graff — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:28:00 GMT

Yes, Dahlia , you're right; I misread you. Perhaps Susan Boyle does look like a "real" 47 year old, pre-media-consciousness. But I wasn't talking about Westchester- or Alexandria-based suburban "babes"; I was talking about the women I see in the gritty...(read more)

47 is the new 47?

Dahlia Lithwick — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:13:00 GMT

E.J. , I think the only disagreement between us was that you thought I said Susan Boyle looks like an ordinary suburban women, where I in fact said she looks like a normal 47-year-old. At least where I live, a lot of 47-year-olds look more like Susan...(read more)

Innocents on Stage

E.J. Graff — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:27:00 GMT

Well, Dahlia, I disagree: Susan Boyle doesn't look at all like an ordinary suburban woman. I'm as in love with her video as everyone else, and yes, appalled by the condescension with which she's being treated. But I think I understand it. In our era,...(read more)

Sad Barbie

Hanna Rosin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:46:00 GMT

Of all the Barbie-at-50 stories, I found the one in today's New York Times " Antiques " column the most poignant. Here is Barbie robbed of her role as a spark for feminist rage, and turned into a series of federal agency acronyms "OSS" (original swimsuit)...(read more)

Five Ways Barbie Can Learn To Play With the Bratz

Moe Tkacik — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:15:00 GMT

Dear Mattel CEO Bob Eckert, Happy holidays! You're welcome! Background: Just over five and a half years ago, I wrote a story about something I found totally hilarious: It turned out the Bratz dolls, a multibillion dollar line of dolls with pouty lips...(read more)