A unique look at America's doll icon correlates fashion trends with the makeup and hairstyles that the Barbie doll wore between 1959 and 1971. A close inspection of the doll, rather than just her clothes, gives insight on how her face was painted, how her hair was styled and all of the influences that kept her a fashion statement during the changing beauty developments from the Kennedy era through the Mod 1960s. Interesting and informative, with fabulous photographs, Face of the American Dream will delight anyone who ever played with a Barbie doll, and for those who didn't, it is fun to read as a mass culture documentary about changing beauty trends.
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A unique look at America's favorite doll icon correlates fashion trends with the makeup and hairstyles that the Barbie doll wore between 1959 and 1971. A close inspection of the doll, rather than just her clothes, gives insight on how her face was painted, how her hair was styled and all of the influences that kept her a fashion statement during the changing beauty developments from the Kennedy era through the Mod 1960s. Interesting and informative, with fabulous photographs, Face of the American Dream will delight anyone who ever played with a Barbie doll, and for those who didn't, it is fun to read as a mass culture documentary about changing beauty trends.
About the Author
Christopher Varaste graduated from Syracuse University and worked as a producer on many television programs including the Tony Awards. His love of art led to SoHo where he was a director for several art galleries and served as a curator for many important retrospectives including Peter Max, famed Time/Life photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, and the renowned fashion illustrator Rene Gruau. He has had shows of his own works at View Monde Gallery and has written and directed two off-Broadway plays. Presently he divides his time between photography and screenwriting.
An introduction to designer Billy Boy inspired his interest in the Barbie doll. His dolls have appeared in magazines such as Miller's FashionDoll. He plans to continue photographing Barbie doll and friends!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FACE OF THE AMERICAN DREAM rocks!,
By Scott coblio (USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Face of the American Dream: Barbie Doll 1959-1971 (Hardcover)
Okay, we've seen the parade of books on Barbie fashion. We've seen the forensically photographed doll priceguides. What we haven't seen, until now, was a book whose visual language made the dolls and fashions come to life in a way that conjures the imaginary world that Barbie seemed to live in. If you know someone who doesn't "get" Barbie collecting, show them this book. It's so lovingly assembled that even the skeptic is forced to look at the subject through a child's eyes. And yet it's so well researched and informative, the discriminating adult collector can find an answer to virtually any question. Varaste's knowledge about transitional dolls and their differences, for example, was especially helpful. The narrative is so artful and engaging, you don't even realize how much your're learning! The photos are fabulously fun and imaginative; Varaste isn't afraid to see the humor in our hopeless love for Barbie. Visually, he knows what we want and he delivers! Hands down the best book on the subject of Miss B. We can only hope for a sequel!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A reader from Portland, Oregon and Barbie expert for 10 yrs,
By Cindy Nilsen (West Coast) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Face of the American Dream: Barbie Doll 1959-1971 (Hardcover)
This book is one of the most beautiful Barbie books ever written. The pictures are beautiful. The dolls represent pictures of many of the best barbie collections in the World. The information is quite extensive. I give it a 11! Simply the best!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you can only have one Barbie book - make it this one!,
By
This review is from: Face of the American Dream: Barbie Doll 1959-1971 (Hardcover)
Varaste's "The Face of the American Dream" is simply fantastic. So many Barbie books simply photograph the fashions and give current prices. Chris takes the subject far deeper than anything I've ever read, both sociologically and in terms of the minute variations within the Barbie doll. It is an absolute feast for the eyes of the collector or non-collector and a treasure trove of information for the collector. It is really awesome! As another reviewer wrote, I would love to see Chris tackle the Mod era in more depth. I look forward to more from him!
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