Lunch Break: Tokidoki Barbie
by LauraLoo
UPDATE 10/20 8P: Drudge Report posted update on the Tokidoki here.
Is this what the world needs - a massively tattooed Barbie doll? Tokidoki Barbie is part of the 2011 Barbie Collectors Edition.
Is this Tokidoki ”okie-dokie?” Would you buy it for your daughter, yourself, or as a gift for a Barbie collector? The doll sells for around $50.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYUQBJlEEh8[/youtube]
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[HT: Fox32 Chicago]



Would you buy it for your daughter, yourself, or as a gift for a Barbie collector? The doll sells for around $50.
$50? Preposterous!
It’s Tramp Stamp Barbie! No way is my daughter getting one.
The doll is pretty and I (kind of) like the outfit, but no, I wouldn’t buy a TATTOOED Barbie, and certainly not for $50!
No, no no! I can’t stand tattoos!
I think complaining about tattoos on Barie is like a dieter complaing about chocolate sprinkles on a triple layer devils chocolate cake with fudge icing and chocolate brownie cake batter ice cream. Are the sprinkles good for you? Well, no, but they are hardly the main point. You could easily point out to kid that the ‘tattoos’ are henna, pen and ink, airbrushed, or otherwise just a temporary body adornment. But she’s got skin tight leggings, a slinky skirt that barely covers her underwear (if she’s wearing any), a bra-less, off the shoulder shirt, 6 inch heels, excessive jewlery and make-up, unnatural hair color, and a pet dog with a pg-13 name. Moreover, in real life, the outfit she is wearing, head to toe, probably would cost more than many families make in a month. And that’s not even referencing the over-all body problems with Barbie (which personally I think gets made too much of, but still a valid complaint). Is incouraging children to get tattoos, especially tattoos that *show* good? No, not in our current culture. But, given what Barbie is usually dressed in (not to mention those horrid Bratz dolls!!) concern over tattoos seems somewhat tertiary.
Barbies like this are more for adult collectors, Jespren. Not really geared towards children.
Pamela, and that would be a very good point *if* they were only selling the doll in collector’s shops and adult stores like Hot Topic and Spencers, or in other primarily over 18 stores. But (according to the 2 articles I’ve read about this doll) it’s hitting regular store shelves right along with other Barbies. This doll might be ‘geared towards’ adult collectors, but it appears to be marketed, advertized, placed, and intended to be purchased mainly by or for children.
And, to restate, my main object to this doll, her clothing or lack thereof, is exceptionally common to Barbies in general, not to this one in specific. As someone who sees no harm in temporary body art i’d have no problem giving my kid a doll with body art (i’d draw the line at a doll or doll set that say ‘worked’ in a tattoo shop because I *do* think it inappropriate to make kids covet permanent body adornment.), but you better believe my kids would never get a sexed up immodest doll who promotes top-end merchandise as approapriate apparel.
My bestie is buying my goddaughter one. I hate tattoos. I think they are trashy.
I want to be her when I grow up.
I <3 tattoos.
I think some tattoos can be trashy.
But not mine. :)
Aubrey
9-5-90
Beautiful tattoo Carla. LL <3
as a mom with tattoo’s and grew up playing with barbies i see nothing wrong with this barbie… tattoo’s are not trashy, they are a personal choice that some people do not agree with. If barbie can be pregnant, a chef, a vet, a teacher, and movie star… whats different that having tattoo’s? do you know how many of the people that cook your food, teach your children, park your cars, do your taxes, etc..that have tattoo’s? probably 90% of them
Ashley, I think, for many at least, the issue isn’t with a tattoo per-se but implying to children that a tattoo is a fashion statement (Barbie’s tattoos here for instance are distinctly part of her overall outfit, not only are they on her neck, still a societal no-no but they are the same fashion design, manga inspired, as her shirt). A tattoo is a permanent adornment, not for everyone, not to be taken lightly, and certainly not to be used to express transitory agreement with a fashion trend. I know a lot of people with tattoos in my personal (real) life, I don’t know a one who doesn’t reget at least one of their tattoos (at least 5 years after said tattoo) They are serious business that is already made light of in our culture. I knew so many kids in my high school that found a way to get a tattoo before 18 or went out and got one as soon as they turned 18. Do you think any of them were thinking about the care, maintence, and future look of the tattoo? Much less what that tattoo might mean in 4 years when they try to get jobs? Like it or not visible tattoos are still a turn off to most employers. I don’t have any tattoos, because I’ve never ran across something I felt I could be *sure* I would want on my body for the rest of my life. This Barbie doesn’t help a rapidly maturing kid view a tattoo as a beautiful but serious decision, it shrugs it off as a part of a fashion statement. Would *you* like to be permanently defined by the type of clothes you wore 20 years ago?
As I said above, I think the ‘tattoo’ could easily be explained as a non-permanent airbrushed piece, or henna, or pen and ink (which, I think, make it a very nice adornment), so I think the ‘tattoo’ part is being made too much of. But that it is making light of a serious choice seems pretty obvious to me.
I understand where you are coming from and telling your children they are henna or stickers or what not is absolutely fine by me. my oldest tattoo is 6 years old and i still love it and dont regret any of my 13 tattoo’s, nor have i had my tattoo’s hinder me from getting a job with 4 being on my arms and one on my neck. my 3 year old likes temporary ones and covers herself in them. i agree with they are not to be taken lightly and on a whim decision. I just dont think parents should get all bent out of shape over a barbie having them. thats like a barbie coming out with long hair and lots of hemp in the 60s being classified as “controversy”. If people dont like them, dont buy them is my main point i guess. it would be like going and buying a coconut cake when you hate coconut… being an adult is being responsible and making sound decisions for you and your family, no?
90% of people aren’t tattooed. Latest polls show 14% of the adult population are, so 84% are not. And what does it matter if they are? Don’t hurt me none if people want to tattoo themselves- have at it. But you’ll find that honest people will tell you that they associate tattoos more with trailer parks than country clubs. This is why workplaces frown upon them, not just offices, even fast food joints- it just doesn’t scream “classy” and “competent”- It screams more, “drunk in Vegas” or “rebellious teenager.”
when I said 90% I was not stating a fact, just threw it out there without doing research. It’s not really important what percentage of people have tattoo’s. It’s being accepted that I was getting at. I highly disagree that people associate tattoo’s with “trailer parks” and “rebellious teenager” when it is so openly accepted in the work place. I personally know surgeon’s, nurses, firefighters, EMT’s, soldiers, and Church youth pastors that have multiple tattoo’s.
It’s not openly-accepted in the workplace. Unless your workplace is a tattoo parlor, a strip club or a bar. Maybe then.
Jacqueline: you’ll find that honest people will tell you that they associate tattoos more with trailer parks than country clubs. This is why workplaces frown upon them, not just offices, even fast food joints- it just doesn’t scream “classy” and “competent”- It screams more, “drunk in Vegas” or “rebellious teenager.”
Imagine that – I agree 100%! ;)
Tokidoki is not okey-dokey.
Tattoos= a life of crime. There is an invisible, direct link. Yes, workplaces frown upon the VISIBLE ones. This is a collector’s doll. Anyone who is willing to judge someone with the content of what’s on their kid than what’s in their head has a problem.
Wow.
Tattoos equal a life of crime? Tattoos equal trailer parks?
Here’s mine.
http://outcrywisconsin.blogspot.com/2009/08/tattoo.html
For my daughter who died in my abortion.
It’s not openly-accepted in the workplace. Unless your workplace is a tattoo parlor, a strip club or a bar. Maybe then.
Or a Broadway theater. ;)
Or a FDNY fire station. (How may 9/11 tattoos have I seen?)
I don’t really want to associate with people who care if I look like I go to a country club, personally.
This is from someone who has no tattoos and NO plans to EVER get one. Just not for me. :)
Tattoos equal a life of crime?
:: looking through a list of Wisconsin crime sprees… ::
Sorry to disappoint you, Doug.
I am not a criminal.
I’m a mom. :)
If I was given the choice of having to spend a day at a country club or a trailer park it would be a very hard decision. I don’t care to visit either, personally.
As far as tattoos, I have two, one that is almost 20 years old and one that is three years old. I have never regretted either of them. At all. I am an educated professional who earns a nice salary and they have never hindered me professionally (they can be easily covered).
As far as the Barbie, whatever. It’s up to the parents to supervise their children and control what toys they play with, books they read, movies they watch etc. I know plenty of moms who do not allow their daughters to play with any Barbies, and plenty who don’t think Barbie dolls are big deal. I don’t judge either of them.
“tokidoki” is Japanese for, “sometimes.” I wonder what the significance is, if any.
As much as I truly love so many people I know who have tattoos, and while it’s true of course that the “tattoos = life of crime” correlation is not as strong as it used to be, I have to agree that tattoos really don’t give the impression that the person is on the road to success. I don’t have children, but I’d do what I could to dissuade a young person from getting a tattoo, even an easily coverable one. At this point, it would be partly about kind of separating him- or herself (esp herself) from everyone else in the crowd in what I would consider to be a positive way.
Barbie is kind of an evolution from the Bild Lilli comic strip/doll. Sounds like Bild Lilli was pretty “adult,” so maybe Barbie is getting back (devolving back?) to her roots. But, idk, does it say something about the culture that Barbie used to be something that girls could aspire to be like, and now, maybe not so much? Really not sure.
Sorry to disappoint you, Doug.
I am not a criminal.
I’m a mom.
Carla, okay, actually – I didn’t figure you were too high on the “10 Most Wanted” list. ;)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tattoo-acceptence-in-the-workplace/267570166486
One day, self-expression won’t be taboo any longer. :)
Hi, xalisae – yikes. The word is “acceptance.” Are they also trying to change the taboo against misspelling in the workplace? ;)
Putteth down thy tattoo guns, and picketh up thy Barbie dolls.
I think this doll is a personal choice. I collect Barbies and if you go to the Mattel website this dolls description clearly states that only 7400 were made worldwide (this clearly indicates a collector doll and not a play doll). Most colletor dolls of this limited number are not available through retail stores, mostly online, so limited exposure to young girls. Also noted that it is for the “adult collector”. Mattel is not putting this doll out there as part of their regular play line. Again, just my opinion, but as an adult you can’t shield your child from everything and if your daughter does see this doll than you can explain people have different lifestyles and but necessarily acceptable to your own. If you don’t like it don’t buy it.
This doll was never intended for kids, it is a COLLECTOR edition. On the flipside, my nine year old daughter asked for one for christmas…. and did I buy her one??? Heck ya! (for display, not play) I am a responsible, good person, I am a full time college student, and I am a good role model, and AGHAST! I have many tattoos! Tattoos are a normal part of society today. Maybe the doll has more than normal but she is just a DOLL. If parents are looking for a doll, esp a barbie, to be a role model to their children than we have much more issues to address than a tattoo barbie. If you dont like it, dont buy it. Buy an American Girl doll instead
Tattoos = Life of crime? Wow people, Im 34, have plenty tats AND HAVE NEVER ONCE BEEN ARRESTED IN MY LIFE.
Jacqueline, youre hysterical! Sad that this is what you believe. Ive worked in the human service and medical field for years, and also in classrooms. As I said before, I have many tats and no one has ever had a problem with them. I dont work at at tattoo parlor or bar and have never in my life entered a strip club. Keep the comments coming, I love getting my laugh of the day of the day off ignorant judgmental people such as yourself.
I never accused people with tattoos of being criminals- that was Doug. I think tattoos are trashy- and I think they hinder people in most workplaces. Good on you if it doesn’t. I don’t want people with visible tattoos to be hindered at work, but I would think most people who cared about their careers would think it a stupid, counterproductive thing to do. Instead, those people just complain about it.
What I find hysterical is how people get in such a tizzy and ascend a high horse to defend their tattoos. Why do you care? If there is nothing wrong with it (and there isn’t- I just think it’s trashy), why do you care so much if people don’t like them? If you thought something I wear is trashy, you could be right and I wouldn’t care. The fact that people get so personally offended at this is what’s funny. Chill, chica.
We get it, Jacqueline. You don’t like tattoos. You think they equal trailer parks. Fine. Make a sweeping generalization about those that have them.
THAT is hilarious to me.
I was thinking of this conversation while in church on Sunday and I began to count the number of tattoos. Crosses, Scripture verses, crown of thorns….
All just trashy criminals living in trailer parks.
LOL
We get it, Jacqueline. You don’t like tattoos. You think they equal trailer parks. Fine.
Then fricken get off my butt, Carla! I get it. You like tattoos. Fine.
The post asked a question. I answered it. Then everyone hopped on my butt. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have answered, but you shouldn’t care so much. Who cares what I think? Is body scarring really a cause you have emotional strength to take up today? Talking about it certainly isn’t worth any of my energy.
The only difference between people with tattoos and people without tattoos is that the people with tattoos don’t care that the others don’t have them.
I disagree with you, Jacque.
That is all.
I believe Jacque has a right to her option but I disagree with how she automatically says that all tats are trashy. Yes some are, like those stamp tramps but tats are also a form of art (if you do it the right way.) I just think the best thing to do instead of everyone bashing this barbie is talk to their kids about how they feel about tattoos. at the end of the day if the teen wants a tat, they will get it behind your back, unless you built a strong relationship with them.