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BARBIE LOVES L.A.
America's Favorite Doll Sees the Sites

by Greg LaVoi

foreword by Bob Mackie

Barbie, nee Barbara Milicent Roberts, is known ’round the world as quite a doll. The first supermodel while only in her teens, she has been dressed by most of the world’s top fashion designers. But she remains loyal to Bob Mackie, whose glamorous creations have been among her favorites. Mr. Mackie penned the Foreword of this book. After all, Hollywood is all about loyalty.

As Barbie recalls in her introduction:
    As I was stuck in traffic due to a SigAlert on the 405, I glanced up at the SUV in front of me (driven by a blonde bimbo, wouldn't you know it) and saw a bumper sticker that read, "I want to be Barbie–the bitch has everything!" Well, it's true; After all, I've lived a great life in stiletto heels. I'm recognized wherever I go, even after 45 years. People actually remember outfits I wore decades ago. I guess I was sort of a trailblazer with all of the career opportunities I had, unusual for a doll of the 1960s. Teenage Fashion Model. Nurse. Fashion Designer. Lounge Singer. School Teacher. Stewardess. Even the first female Astronaut. But through it all I realized one thing–you gotta look good.
    Over the years I've gone through more hair dye than Cher and Madonna combined, and now I've gone au naturelle. Like most Barbie Boomers, I'm turning gray; oh, a little of my former blondeness still peeks out, but honey, I've earned this gray hair. Luckily, my measurements haven't changed a fraction of an inch, so I can still fit into the clothes I wore in high school. I've had some subtle face work done over the years, but then who hasn't? I've always adored make-up, from the sophisticated, painted look of the fifties to a more natural, healthier look today.
Yes, Barbie Loves L.A. But L.A. loves Barbie, too! Just listen to what some fans have to say:
  • “I’ve had the heartening distinction of looking like a Barbie Doll. It’s okay in some ways. But to be complimented on one’s beauty has no recourse, except a kindly ‘thank you.’ ” —Julie Newmar
  • “Barbie and I grew up together, it was a great time. I wish I were still there. I wonder what might have happened if Barbie had been cast as Ginger along with us other castaways on Gilligan’s Island? Barbie Loves L.A. is really fun!” —Dawn Wells
  • “I went for a Pepsi with Ken and “Johnny Got Angry” and Barbie® didn’t like it much either! This book really captures Barbie in our era.” —Joanie Sommers
  • “You know, I actually married Barbie… it didn’t work out of course, but she’s still a snappy dresser. I love this book—it reminds me of her.” —Burt Reynolds
Author Greg LaVoi is a twice Emmy-nominated costume designer. Greg has been writing since fourth grade and at age thirteen received his first Kodak Instamatic. When he isn’t designing costumes, writing scripts or collecting pop-culture treasures, Greg photographs Barbie at pleasure points all over the world.

Graphic designer Helen Sanematsu has designed books for the Guggenheim Museum and the Gagosian Gallery in New York City and has also been an associate art director for Martha Stewart Living magazine. She teaches design at California Institute of the Arts in Valencia and at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.
 BARBIE LOVES L.A.
click on cover to see larger version

128 pages
100+ images 

ISBN 978-1-883318-87-1
$25.00; 9x9"; hardcover; full color

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