About This Stamp
Since 1959, Barbie® has been a symbol of limitless possibilities. Introduced as “The Original Teenage Fashion Model,” Barbie quickly evolved into much more, with an ever-expanding resume that now represents more than 250 careers and counting. For generations, Barbie has reflected growing opportunities for women, from registered nurse to astronaut, inspiring girls to dream big.
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates Barbie and a remarkable career journey with 10 new stamp designs, each featuring Barbie dressed for one of many iconic careers. Together, the stamps pay tribute to a legacy of endless possibility, creativity, and empowerment over the span of 65-plus years.
Mattel’s introduction of Barbie was groundbreaking. The doll represented a new vision of womanhood in the modern mid-20th century, just as a world of career possibilities was opening up for women.
Art director Ethel Kessler, who worked hand in hand with Mattel to develop the design of the stamps, marveled at the scope of career achievements. “I had no idea the breadth of Barbie’s career journey. The variety is inspiring—and it has been pretty amazing to bring these stamps to life with the Mattel team,” she said. After exploring countless options, the stamps were narrowed down to the final 10, capturing the versatility of Barbie careers.
Kessler says they approached the project “with a spirit of fun,” using bright, energetic shades associated with the brand—predominantly the famous “Barbie Pink”— to evoke a feeling of joy.
To best showcase the career attire, the team selected a rarely-used stamp format, no wider than the usual vertical commemorative stamp, but a third taller. This very vertical format was last used in 2014.
The Barbie stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps. These Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.
© 2026 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.
“BARBIE®” and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by and used with permission of Mattel, Inc.
Stamp Art Director, Stamp Designer
Ethel Kessler
Ethel Kessler is an award-winning designer and art director who has worked with corporations, museums, public and private institutions, professional service organizations, and now, the United States Postal Service.
After earning a B.F.A. in visual communications from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Kessler worked as a graphic designer and project manager for the exhibits division of the United States Information Agency. Her work was distributed internationally on subjects such as Immigration, Entrepreneurship, Renovation of American Cities, and the Bicentennial of 1976. She was also responsible for exhibits in Morocco, Botswana, and El Salvador.
In 1981, she established Kessler Design, Inc., for which she is creative director and designer. Clients have included the Clinton Government reorganization, the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic Television, the National Park Service, and the American Institute of Architects.
She has been an art director for the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp development program for more than 25 years. As an art director for USPS, Kessler has been responsible for creating more than 500 stamp designs, including the Breast Cancer Research stamp illustrated by Whitney Sherman. Issued in 1998, the stamp is still on sale and has raised more $98 million for breast cancer research. Other Kessler projects include the popular and highly regarded Nature of America 120 stamp series, a collaboration with nationally acclaimed nature illustrator John Dawson, the 12-year Lunar New Year series with Kam Mak, the American Filmmaking: Behind the Scenes 10 stamps issued in 2003, a 2016 pane of stamps celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and the 2023 stamp honoring Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And many, many others.