Balas Quarante-cinq, and always blonde. With the age of the midlife crisis, the Californian one of 29 cm did not take a wrinkle on its vinyl. Its plasticized centres are always firm, its cambered feet, and its legs with extension. The curve of its sales seems, it also, eternal. 80 million Barbies run out in the world last year, 5 million in France, without counting the accessories. Top of 70 % of shares of market announced by Mattel, it measures its competitors of an always blue eye. Its secrecy? It "incarne femininity" . In any case, for the 3-8 years, his heart of target, like one says at Mattel. But especially, "it is not fixed in what it represents for the small girls, who imagine all kinds of stories with it ", dixit Régine Jean-Rabéchault, direct marketing of Mattel France.

To remain with the signal at its age, it is nevertheless job. For its anniversary, processions and expos (1). A horde of designers American works to renew the models, draws new toilets, barouches, 4x4, etc. In 2002, the world leader of the toy (Mattel weighs 5 billion dollars) launched the range "My Scene" to resist Bratz, the jeunette Nippone which goes up. This year, Barbie released Ken, its promised in marriage stiff since quarante-trois years. Its look ringard of charming prince depressed it too much.

It should be said that his/her best girlfriend, Midge, had a baby last year with Allan. And voilà-t-y-pas that this "family of happiness" (trade mark) has just increased with Papy and Granny, clean on them, 30 euros part. Since it runs the world, miss B was an air-hostess, astronaut, teacher of FAC and aerobics, sergeant in the navy and rappeuse. Pricked with a German, American since 1959, it is nevertheless before a a whole businesswoman. Frightening.

(1) With the museum of the Headstock. Paris www.museede lapoupeeparis. COM