Hey girls: Barbie’s coming!

January 19-Forty-seven years old and the girl’s still got it!

We’re talking Barbie, of course.

The Bayou Blue Branch of the Lafourche Parish Public Library is presenting a Barbie Doll Collectable Workshop on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. for fans of the original girl in pink.

The iconic Barbie doll burst onto the scene back in 1959 at the New York City Toy Fair. That year alone, Mattel sold more than 351,000 of the doll.

Barbie was born when Mattel Toys co-founder Ruth Handler got the idea to create a three-dimensional teenage doll that young girls could play with and dream about the future with.

The first Barbie was actually a teenage fashion model. Buyers were skeptical, according to Mattel Toys. No one had ever marketed a doll so sophisticated or small before. But backed with a catchy TV ad campaign, Barbie-fever spread across the country.

The following year, the ever-fashion-minded Barbie got a beau: Ken. Standing 12 inches tall, Ken came complete with a fashion booklet, sandals, a towel and a black wire stand. His flocked hair was blonde and dark brunette. He was every Barbie’s dream.

The couple has remained truenalthough they’ve both had a number of career changesnand now enjoy the company of a number of friends and family members in the Barbie family tree.

Vintage Barbie dolls are coveted today by collectorsnparticularly the original 1959 model. At the Bayou Blue workshop, participants will learn more about Barbie’s history and value.

For more information, call (985) 580-0634.

Hey girls: Barbie’s coming!