For anyone who loves Barbie and wants to know more, this illustrated biography tells the story of the doll's evolution into an icon of popular culture, beloved and avidly collected by children and adults alike. Conceived in 1959 as an "adult" doll to dress for every occasion, Barbie has since become a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Illustrations reveal her many faces, styles, and incarnations, from the blonde, blue-eyed mainstay to the exotic dolls available around the world. Here too are her most glamorous costumes, and the real-life Hollywood stars-Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Vivien Leigh-and fashion designers-Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and Bob Mackie-who inspired them. Doll expert Marco Tosa presents a wealth of documentation, including a description of how the dolls are made, a family tree, a chart of the dolls' occupations, the dates of issue of each Barbie doll discussed, and photographs of original packaging. There is also a section on the forthcoming, more anatomically correct Barbie doll. Marco Tosa, a native of Genoa, Italy, teaches at the Venice Academy of Fine Arts. He is the author of several books on fashion and on the history and culture of dolls. Remember ``After Five''? ``Solo in the Spotlight''? Classic Barbie fashions, and they werent created in a fashion vacuum. This new book shows how Barbies outfits over the decades have emulated those designed by real designers and worn by real women. See Barbies Plantation Belle'' outfit juxtaposed with a photograph of Grace Kelly in High Society, or her Givenchy- style bubble dress next to the real thing photographed on a fashion model in Venice. ``Red Flare'' drew on Balenciagas styles for Jacqueline Kennedy, the A-line dresses and pillbox hats that distinguished her wardrobe. Barbies huge wardrobe never shied away from questionable taste if that was the style of the day, writes Tosa, an international doll expert who teaches at the Venice Academy of the Arts. On the contrary, the Mattel clothing designers shamelessly hedge their bets on the public reactions to fashion trends. For fashion mavents and Barbie fans alike, a nostalgic trip down memory lane. (First printing of 250,000; Literary Guild selection; $100,000 ad/promo) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.