clothing: Barbie Astro Fashions: Space Racer

With physicist Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space in 1983, Mattel thought it only seemed natural that Barbie should explore a similar dream. Barbie fashion designer Carol Spencer turned to French designer Thierry Mugler for inspiration. Mugler was through for his dazzling and fantastical clothes with “nipped-in waists and exaggerated shoulders.” Spencer believed that every woman that wore Mugler’s designs looked strong and powerful. Spencer’s design for Space Racer Barbie featured a cropped jacket that showcased padded shoulders and was paired with a matching metallic-silver miniskirt and thigh-high boots. Just before the collection’s debut at the 1986 International Toy Fair, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart and resulted in the death of seven crew members. Mattel pulled the commercials and related advertising, but kept the line.