{
  "id": 10529213,
  "title": "Centuries Ago, Royals Dressed Up Their Dolls to Share the Latest Fashions. See How Barbies, Baby Dolls and Other Tiny Trendsetters Have Inspired Designers Ever Since",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/centuries-ago-royals-dressed-up-their-dolls-to-share-the-latest",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-28T20:22:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Smithsonian",
    "slug": "smithsonian",
    "url": "https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/centuries-ago-royals-dressed-up-their-dolls-to-share-latest-fashions-see-how-barbies-baby-dolls-and-other-tiny-trendsetters-have-inspired-designers-ever-since-180989580/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Since Barbie debuted in 1959, she has worn over one billion outfits, including a hot pink blazer-and-skirt ensemble that morphs into a cocktail dress, a black-and-white swimsuit, and a red-and-gold Elizabethan gown. \"Barbie’s status as the world’s most fashionable doll is unmatched,\" argues the Museum at FIT in its exhibition \"Doll Dressing.\" However, Mattel’s star figurine isn’t the only doll to influence high fashion. The NYC display showcases more than 170 objects, illustrating the evolving connection between dolls and fashion—from Anna Sui and Jason Wu’s miniature creations to full-size runway ensembles inspired by doll clothing. As the museum states, \"Dolls aren’t just toys—they’re muses, canvases and even prototypes for designers… actively shaping fashion.\" The show focuses on \"fashion dolls,\" defined by the ability to remove and change their clothing. Ancient Egyptian paddle dolls, whose attire was painted onto their wooden bodies, didn’t qualify, but a 1970s Daisy doll modeled after Mary Quant’s miniskirt did. Historians date the origins of fashion dolls back to the 16th century, when European royals like Mary, Queen of Scots, and Isabella d’Este of Ferrara swapped tiny models to showcase the latest trends. These figurines served as practical manuals for dressmakers to transform the dolls into full-size ensembles. By the 18th century, paper dolls with interchangeable outfits appeared as affordable alternatives, although the status of fashion dolls remained high-end children’s toys. French dollmakers Jumeau and Gaultier crafted porcelain figurines during the 19th century to teach wealthy girls about fashion and embroidery skills. In the early 20th century, baby dolls replaced fashion dolls as the popular choice for young girls, often coming with designer clothing like a Louis Vuitton leather trunk and matching wardrobe. Adult fashion dolls experienced a comeback during the Roaring Twenties, with celebrities carrying around \"boudoir dolls\" for evening outings. These dolls represented the rebellious spirit of the era. In recent decades, some women deliberately dressed like dolls, with the \"dolly birds\" of 1960s Britain embracing simple, colorful, and playful styles. \"Doll Dressing\" celebrates this \"living doll\" concept, exploring the history of fashion dolls, the rise of living dolls, and the creation of dollhouse worlds. The exhibition also highlights designers like Anna Sui, known for her Cissy figurine, and Emily Adams Bode Aujla’s artisan cloth dolls. Additionally, it delves into the fascination with miniatures, from Alexander McQueen’s 1997 collection inspired by Hans Bellmer’s unsettling dolls to the positive aspects of doll dressing, promoting playfulness, self-acceptance, and imagination.",
  "summary": "A new exhibition at the Museum at FIT in New York City showcases more than 170 objects that trace the often-unexpected relationship between dolls and fashion",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}