It's birthday time for Madonna and Barbie, both hitting the big 5-0 this year. As the queens of re-invention, it's not surprising both have done a turn as Green Goddess in 2008. Madonna graced the cover of Vanity Fair's Green Issue and Mattel now claims Barbie is amazingly on trend with her Barbie™ BCause "eco-friendly" fashion range (handbags, hats, pillows, diaries and more) all made from recycled fabric scraps.

"Barbie BCause is for eco-conscious girls who believe that being environmentally-friendly is the right thing to do," says Richard Dickson, a senior VP at Mattel Brands. "We are thrilled to give extra meaning and extra style to what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric."

Not to mention creating new profits from what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric. So, does this cancel out the impact of manufacturing millions of plastic dolls encased in plastic packaging on the other side of the planet  (with associated labour, quality control and environmental issues) or is this just greenwashing? If you choose A, I've got a lovely Barbie Dream House for sale in Kabul.

 

Actually, despite my long grudge against Babs (which peaked in a mass decapitation incident during a sleepover in 1978) I do not live in a Barbie-free home, though I don't buy them myself. I worry that a strict Barbie ban would just make her more alluring.

 

For my money, if you're looking for a green goddess who's bang on trend for 2008, check out this trolley dolly: the Mummy in The Tiger Who Came to Tea, by Judith Kerr. Who'd have guessed she'd seem quite so contemporary 40 years on – but look how she's working that string bag, trolley and bright orange mac.