# Sophisticated Barbie Swimsuit Covers The Barbie Sports Illustrated Cover Celebrates an Icon By Vasiliki Marapas | Published 2014-02-16 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-sports-illustrated References: [ifitshipitshere.blogspot](http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.ca/2014/02/a-look-at-barbie-shoot-for-2014-si.html) & [swimdaily.si](http://swimdaily.si.com/2014/02/11/barbie-and-walter-iooss-photo-shoot-video/) The Barbie Sports Illustrated cover is, unsurprisingly, featured on the highly anticipated Swimsuit edition. In celebration of the magazine's 50th anniversary, two versions of [Mattel's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/65th-anniversary-barbie-signature-doll-collection) beloved and eternal blonde bombshell grace the editorial: a 1959 vintage doll in a classic [Chevron](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-x-ruggable) suit, and a limited edition Barbie in a contemporary version. The four-page spread also features a range of 17 dolls from the Barbie Basics Collection. Sports Illustrated hails Barbie as "The Doll That Started It All," making her the perfect choice for the iconic Swimsuit issue. The featured Sports Illustrated Barbie will be available exclusively on the [Target](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-bowie-doll) website, for a limited time only. The spread, which has generated its fair share of controversy, was photographed by seasoned vet Walter Looss. Given the fact that both Barbie and Sports Illustrated have been criticized for the unrealistic expectations they place on women, this partnership seemed inevitable. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 81% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Body Positivity:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop inclusive and diverse swimwear lines that celebrate the beauty of all body types. - **Collaborative Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with established brands to create unique and attention-grabbing marketing campaigns. - **Nostalgia Marketing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Tap into consumers' desire for nostalgia by reimagining iconic products and characters in modern contexts. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate technology and data to create personalized and sustainable fashion solutions. - **Toy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine traditional play patterns with augmented reality and artificial intelligence to create interactive and educational toys. - **Media:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore new formats and platforms to engage audiences and provide diverse and inclusive representation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Glamorous Collector Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-by-american-girl.md) - [Celebratory Monochromatic Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/65th-anniversary-barbie-signature-doll-collection.md) - [Fashion Legend Barbie Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/claudia-schiffer-barbie.md) - [Doll-Inspired Coffee Table Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-coffee-table.md) - [Exclusive Toy-Inspired Candy Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-chocolate-bars.md) - [Collectible Football Fan Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-nfl-super-bowl-champion-doll.md) - [Inclusion-Focused Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-2.md) - [Glamorized Drinkware Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glamorized-drinkware-collections-the-barbie-x-stanley-collaboration-feature.md) - [Architectural Toy Publications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-dreamhouse-an-architectural-survey.md)