Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie, a documentary film about a cultural reset for Barbie, was released on April 27, 2018, and sports big name interviews, insider information, and behind the scenes footage of one of the biggest moves Mattel’s Barbie ever made. Directed, written, and produced by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins, Tiny Shoulders takes a deep dive into the history of the famous doll and its evolution since its creation in 1959. In 2017 in particular, Project Dawn went live, which was the release of Curvy Barbie, Tall Barbie, and Petite Barbie, the first-time different body shapes for Barbie were released. Barbie’s team knew backlash was inevitable, but not taking part in the movement toward body positivity was not an option. Tiny Shoulders covers every detail of Project Dawn and encourages a compelling conversation about the cultural effects of Barbie.
Tiny Shoulders first introduces Barbie at her conception: Ruth Handler’s brainchild. Viewers get a short yet detailed history of Barbie and the changes that occurred in her production as decades passed. Simultaneously, a history of feminist movements in America are presented through old clips of protests, court room hearings, and interviews. Interspersed throughout Barbie’s history is the lifecycle of Project Dawn. Richard Dickson, the president of Mattel, Kim Culmone, Barbie head of design, and Michelle Chidoni, Barbie public relations, walk readers through how Project Dawn came to be, the work that went into the execution of Project Dawn, and the highly anticipated launch.
Also interviewed throughout the documentary are Gloria Steinem, leader of second-wave feminism in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Roxane Gay, author of Bad Feminist, and Peggy Orenstein, author of Boys & Sex, Girls & Sex, and Cinderella Ate My Daughter. These names and more discussed the effects that Barbie had and continues to have on the minds of children all over the world, and whether or not Project Dawn’s efforts could have positive effects.
Viewers wait in anticipation with Barbie’s team at Mattel on the night of TIME Magazine’s cover story’s release, crossing their fingers for a positive headline. In the final minutes of the film, the world’s reception of Project Dawn is shown through videos, tweets, and commentary from the general public. The documentary ends in Paris, at the “Barbie Fashionistas” exhibition at Hotel Le Moliere, where all iterations of Barbie over the past 50+ years are celebrated for their success and positive impact on the children of the world.
If you loved the Barbie movie and are itching for more Barbie content, Tiny Shoulders is the perfect film to add to your list, and is available on Hulu.
McHALE DESIGN CASE STUDY: MONSTERVERSE- THE LEGEND CONTINUES…
Build-A-Bear Celebrates National Teddy Bear Day with Donation to The Toy Foundation™
Toy Foundation Auction is Now Open for Your Bids
Bracelets, Stickers, and Viral Fame: The Story Behind Sky Castle Toys’ Sticki Rolls
Chrissy Fagerholt: Luck is when Preparation Meets Opportunity!
Book Review: Storm: Dawn of a Goddess by Tiffany D. Jackson
Book Review: Erno Rubik and his Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya
Game Review: Trip Chaser
Learning Express Toys Hosts 25th Annual Convention & Toy Expo at JW Marriott Tucson
Submit Your LA Showroom Details for 2025 Toy Previews
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer