I'm a Barbie Girl

Question: what do you get when you cross a group of creative couture talent with the landmark birthday of one of the world's most famous fashion icons?

Answer: Barbie fever.

Barbie, the woman has needs no introduction, (and no surname), turned 50 earlier this year, and the fashion world has been turning out in full force to celebrate. In February, New York Fashion Week went Barbie mad, with 50 of New York's hottest designers, including Calvin Klein and Vera Wang, sending Barbie inspired outfits down a real life catwalk. And now, a selection of high profile designers, including British talent Danielle Scutt, Roksanda Illincic, and hot London based designer, Henry Holland, have collaborated with Mattel to make swatch size outfits to go on sale as new additions to Barbie's wardrobe.

Though both Danielle and Roksanda's outfits are stunning in their miniature grandeur, my favourite offering has to be Henry's checked skirt suit ensemble, inspired by his A/W 08 collection. Though Henry admits to using his sisters Barbie's for target practice as a child, he says that now he feels that dressing Barbie is an honour, as if he were dressing a famous celebrity. But while Henry loves Barbie's iconic look, he certainly hasn't stinted in dolling out his signature House of Holland style, drenching all of Barbie's 11 and a half inches with Brit cool. Decked in a purple check, pleated mini kilt, with a matching cropped tweed jacket and grey jacket, Barbie looks edgy and cool, her long, painted lashed hidden behind a statement eye patch made from the same fabric as the suit.

Henry even hacked off Barbie's long locks with a pair of shears, transforming Barbie into a mini Agyness Deyn, with a choppy blond bob. Though this style is reminiscient of the childhood hair cuts rebellious little girls treated their Barbies to, the difference is, this is one hair style Barbie won't ask her hairdresser to fix.

Holland's Barbie, along with other designer collaborations with Mattel, and a whole host of avant-garde Barbie memorabilia, will be on sale in April, in a temporary Barbie pop-up shop in Dover Street Market. With Barbie fever spreading fast, resistance to the lure of her charming smile and enviable wardrobe is futile, and visiting this mini Barbie boutique is mandatory. Though with each doll priced at over £180 each, frugal fashionistas might be wise to save their pennies and grab a life size piece of the Barbie inspired action instead.