19 Mar 2009

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.

35 comments:

Alecca Rox said...

i don't know what it is but i've always had a little something for barbie clothes, used to make my own too.

i'll be definetely checking out Danielle Scutt's, she was same year as me at CSM and i have witnessed her talent from a very early stage. the girl is all that.

Anonymous said...

£180 each? Dang. Wonder how many will pony up for designer-bedecked dolls ...

ilikestuff said...

What is it about miniature stuff that just gets out hearts racing?? It's like the dollhouse furniture effect. I want I want I want.

Alice X said...

wow..henry holland designs for barbie, haha:) this seems like lots of fun.


alicexinwonderland.blogspot.com

Is This Real Life? said...

how much does barbie rock! love that post! thanks so much for your comment!

isthisreallife2.blogspot.com

Winnie said...

I used to buy so many outfits for my barbies, toys r us used to be my topshop when I was a kid!!

Tasha Franken said...

Thanks for the comment! Really appreciate it, and cool blog!

http://natashassoiree.blogspot.com/

zoƫ said...

ahhaha SO EXPENSIVE .
oh mr holland, you're too cool .
;]

Black Patent Stilettos said...

oh barbie, why must you be so perfect....now you just got yet another super cute outfit designed for you too!

SOPHIA said...

This is completely adorable. I love barbie! How cute

-Sophie (http://bonjourmodele.blogspot.com)

Anna G said...

Barbie is such an icon. I used to take fabrics and make my own outfits on my Barbies.

thanks alot for your comment

Fashion Garden said...

Thanx a lot for your comment ! :) Nice post !! I will always love barbies !!
alice
xoxo

www.thefashiongarden.blogspot.com

Emz said...

I have an insane amount of Barbies from when I was a kid. But I love them!

Samantha said...

never played with barbies much as a kid but these are so rad=^.^=

Natalia said...

What they really need to do is design a fat 50 year old barbie in honor of her 50th b-day. Wouldn't that be something?

Niviarsiaq said...

This is awesome! I want to go buy myself some new barbies now! <3

I know aren't those shoes killer! Love them! You can always count on Galliano to make the sexiest shoes of the season!

Amelia said...

It's so crazy that so many designers got in on this. It's rather cool.

Laura. said...

£180.. thats alot of money for a barbie!

http://aforteforfashion.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I just love Barbie and everything that is related to her. I actually collect Barbie dolls, I own more than 20!

thoeythoey said...

barbie rocks!

Couture Carrie said...

Love her! That purple suit is presh!

xoxox,
CC

Ella Gregory said...

That HOH Barbie is cool, but I really don't like Henry Holland. Have you seen the Karl Barbie? So funny!

jennifer said...

£180?! Woaaah. It is very cool though. Kinda makes me wish I hadn't binned all my barbies! x

Noshabelle said...

Haha, Barbie rocks dude! I own a lot of Barbie dolls, I loved her so much when I was younger. This Barbie doll aka Agyness Deyn is COOL! Give me my own Aggy doll!

Thank you so much for your comment! x

Ellie Lee said...

LOVE BARBIE since I was a little girl! Kind of refreshing though; to see a Barbie with her hair chopped off! That outfit is gorgeous!

Kati said...

Henry Holland for Barbie...too crazy!

Rand said...

haha i love this post!!
i used to love barbies:):)
x

H @ Narnia's Closet said...

hmm she looks good for 50. and that plaid suit - so adorable!

Anonymous said...

yeah, i love blair too.

Kiki said...

ohhh i want an agyness barbie!!
perfect.

Siru said...

Oh so sweet! I love the eye-pad!

juliet xxx

Anonymous said...

I love the Agyness barbie, but I'd rather spend that money ordering stuff from Topshop.. Or something.

chloe said...

This makes me wish I was 5 and still played with Barbies.

La Chauve-Souris said...

oh house of holland making barbie outfit!! he's so cute!!

xx
cool blog

the bat

sisilalala said...

I also made outfits for barbies when I was a little girl!
http://homecountry.edublogs.org/