Student creates life-size Barbie
Posted by staff / April 19, 2011
Barbie boasts a jaw-dropping physique, but adjust her measurements for real-life and you end up with a boob-heavy freak of nature. Countless girls grow up playing with the iconic doll, but critics argue her unattainable proportions can distort young girls’ perception of beauty.
Galia Slayen, an eating disorder survivor, wanted to put the spotlight on Barbie’s unrealistic figure as part of her school’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Armed with wood, chicken wire and papier mache, Galia put her crafting skills to work and created a life-size Barbie that modified her body to real human size.
The 6 feet tall Barbie and her 39” bust, 18” waist, and 33” hips has sparked a lot of conversation around Galia’s campus, which is exactly what the student hoped would happen. “Talking about eating disorders is taboo to many people, and this made people talk about it,” Slayen said. “It’s a shocking image. A lot of people have seen it, and it’s started debates.”
Full story at Today.
Photo credit: Galia Slayen
…except that the "proportionate 39" bust" is an urban myth. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed with Guy Kawasaki for promoting this oft-debunked lie.