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.
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click on cover to see larger version
128 pages
100+ images
ISBN 1-883318-35-1
$30.00; 9x9"; hardcover; full color
Excerpts
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