Sunday- May 1: Taishan, Taiwan Meining Workshop aka Barbie

I was really looking forward to this visit because for years I have been a fan of Barbie. Each year I purchase the Holiday Collection Barbie for my daughter.

Too short to be a Barbie!

Barbie left the town of Taishan, Taiwan over 20 years ago. Today, the Queen is trying to breath new life into the community. Our 2011 SA group had the privilege of visiting the Meining Workshop, Inc. which is trying to preserve the Barbie legacy and once again transform a community. Once a major production site for Mattel, the workshop is trying to revitalize and transform an area where Barbie provided a way of life for over 1/3 of the population. The last Barbie left the assembly line over 2 decades ago. Today, former workers apply their skills to offer new hope to the community. The vision of the Meining Workshop is to offer artistic dolls and create unique dolls that represent different cultures. This effort gained the support of many people, some who were once employed by Mattel. There were many Barbies on display. The vision is to create a cultural industry and perhaps one day become a tourist attraction. Perhaps the manager should look at the business plan of Dollywood in the USA. This too was a small community made famous by another Barbie doll, Dolly Parton - Queen of Country Music.

Raw Materials

A sneak peak into the design room

Work in progress

Customary exchange of gifts

2011 SA group at Meining Workshop

http://www.straitstimes.com/SME%2BSpotlight/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_511073.html