It's remarkable how Barbie, since her creation in 1959, has become an iconic fashion doll beloved by children worldwide. As the figurehead of the Mattel brand, she's played a significant role in the toy market for decades, capturing the hearts of kids around the globe through imaginative play. But it's not just the young that are drawn to the diva's plastic appeal.
With the recent release of the Barbie Movie, starring actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, this self-assured and incredibly accomplished multi-millionaire is proving to be an enduring symbol of female empowerment...even for those of us who left childhood behind many years ago. And it's perhaps not surprising that Barbie has likewise been inspired by her human counterparts.
America Domani is highlighting the revolutionary Italian women who have been honored for their achievements and immortalized in the form of their very own Barbie dolls!
Samantha Cristoforetti
(Photo Credit: The European Space Agency)
Born in Milan, Samantha Cristoforetti developed her love of astronomy at age 18 while attending space camp in the US as part of a study abroad program. She would go on to earn degrees in mechanical engineering and aeronautical sciences and was one of the first women to become a lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Italian Air Force and ultimately the first Italian woman in space. One of 8,000 applicants, Samantha was selected to join the European Space Agency in 2009 and embarked on a 200-day mission (the Italian Space Agency's second longest ever) to the International Space Station in 2014. Mattel released their Barbie Signature Samantha Cristoforetti doll in August of 2021 as inspiration for young girls desiring STEM careers.
Sara Gama
(Photo Credit: Juventus)
As a center back for Juventus and the Italian Women’s National Team, Sara Gama has proven not only her athletic ability but admirable leadership skills in addition. Sara was promoted to the captaincy of both teams and is an inductee of the Italian Football Hall of Fame, consistently demonstrating her role model status on and off the field. Outside of playing, she was the first Vice President of the National Football Association (AIC), the president of Italy's federal commission for the development of female football, and is a tireless advocate for women and minorities. In 2018, on International Women’s Day, Mattel released their Sara Gama Barbie doll, part of the Shero series designed to inspire the next generation of girls.
Cristina Fogazzi
(Photo Credit: L’Estetista Cinica / Instagram)
Founder of beauty brand VeraLab, Cristina boasts a social media following of over 1 million, a digital empire that includes a successful blog and e-commerce platform, and multiple brick-and-mortar stores. With company revenue totaling almost 63 million euro last year, she's no stranger to following your dreams and encourages others to do the same through perseverance and self-acceptance. It's no wonder then that in the spring of 2021, she was officially named a Barbie Role Model, deserving of her own OOAK (one-of-a-kind) doll. Also a campaign spokesperson for Mattel's Dream Gap Project, Cristina told Vanity Fair at the time that she advises girls to "have a clear plan in mind, study, prepare, acquire skills, and build the future with tenacity."
Rosanna Marziale
(Photo Credit: RosannaMarziale.it)
A native of Campania, Rosanna Marziale grew up in the restaurant industry thanks to her father, who opened his first venue in the 1950s. She would go on to train under Martin Berasategui at his establishment in northern Spain and later with Gianfranco Vissania at Casa Vissani back home in Italy. Classically trained in high-end Italian cuisine, she was awarded a Michelin star in 2013. For the 60th anniversary of Barbie, Mattel released the Rosanna Marziale Barbie Doll in collaboration with Forte Village Resort, for which Rosanna designed a Children’s Restaurant menu, reinterpreting many of her favorite dishes to accommodate smaller appetites while incorporating local ingredients.
Bebe Vio
(Photo Credit: Beatrice Vio/ Facebook)
Born in Venice in 1997, Beatrice "Bebe" Vio was a dedicated fencer when she contracted meningitis at the age of 11, requiring the amputation of both her legs at the knees as well as her forearms. Undeterred, she overcame tremendous challenges to return to the sport after three short months of rehab, and with the aid of prosthetics adapted to hold her foil has gone on to become a champion wheelchair fencer. She won her first World Cup in Montreal in 2013 and was named Paralympic Athlete of the Month by the International Paralympic Committee for her performance. In 2018, with nine gold medals under her belt, Bebe joined the ranks of the incredible women who inspire Barbie’s “Dream Gap Project,” a worldwide initiative aimed at supporting young girls in pursuing their dreams.
Sonia Peronaci
(Photo Credit: SoniaPeronaci.it)
An accountant turned digital entrepreneur and founder of the online Italian recipe website Giallo Zafferano, Sonia Peronaci was honored with her own Shero signature Barbie doll in 2022 and is an ambassador for the project. She is regarded as a pioneer in the world of easy-to-follow cooking guides and has become a familiar face on television, regularly helping Italian families create tasty dishes. Sonia is also the owner of a 400-square-meter event space in Milan that offers cooking classes to corporate clients. Dubbed one of “The Most Influential Women in Italy” by Forbes Magazine, she credits her success to social media content creation and doing what she loves.
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.