Living in a Barbie World: Balmain x Barbie Collection
Image Courtesy: Strike FSU
I had so many different dolls when I was younger, but I always neglected the others and spent hours playing with my Barbies. My sister and I literally had a room dedicated to our very own Barbie world. We had two massive gallon bins filled with all our dolls and clothes. We had an RV, a house, a farm with horses – we had a whole functioning town.
I enjoyed playing with Barbie’s because I liked living in a world that I had more choices over. I loved picking outfits for my dolls, choosing new names, and giving her a personality. My Barbie was everything I wanted to control my life as being.
Since the 1960s, Barbie has been a fashion icon. She was always a model for the latest trends. Barbie allows young kids to escape from reality and create their own world. The company has had some backlash due to its lack of inclusivity for people of color and promotion of unhealthy body expectations. But over the years, they have strived to be more inclusive. More and more kids can see themselves in Barbie or Ken dolls.
Imagery Courtesy: E! News
Barbie can do anything – one day, she’s saving lives as a doctor, and the next, she’s an accomplished artist. She’s inspiring to any kid that plays with her. That’s why she’s making a comeback in a big way, but it’s time for the adults to play.
Recently, Balmain partnered with Barbie to create the pink wardrobe of your dreams. The collection includes clothes, handbags, shoes, and more. The best part? They come in all shades of pink. The collection uses the Y2K vibe and adds a bit of sophistication and high fashion. The collection is almost 100% unisex – so it’s made for everyone. My favorite look from this line is the dark pink tank top and skirt matching set. It’s giving businesswomen casual, Elle Woods vibes.
Image Courtesy: Chaos SixtyNine
Creative Director Olivier Rousteing was beyond excited to create this timeless collection, stating, “It’s not only the dream of a designer, it’s a dream of a kid…that I can create a collection with Barbie today shows how the world has changed, and how good it feels to be free with yourself without being judged.”
Image Courtesy: WWD.com
The photoshoot and advertising for this line is absolutely everything. They had models made to look like dolls and mini versions of their clothing custom-made for actual Barbie dolls. Imagine seeing a room full of people styling Barbie dolls, from doing their hair to sewing little clothes.
I wonder how much the Barbie version of their line costs… I probably still couldn’t afford it.
Image Courtesy: Programadores Brasil
This collection isn’t just like any other collab. Along with the clothing drop, Balmain is joining the Metaverse and auctioning off three NFTs dressed in the collection. The winners will also receive the clothing that the NFT’s are wearing to match. This sets a precedent for fashion collections that have yet to come. It’d honestly be super cool to see what kind of design element these NFTs bring to couture. It also opens the audience to NFT people and fashion fans.
Was the Barbie X Balmain collab a hit or miss? Is the NFT too much or revolutionary?
Take a Look at Barbie’s Interactive Collection Look Book: https://www.nylon.com/fashion/balmain-x-barbie-collection-lookbook
Strike Out,
Writer: Maddy Gleason
Editor: Breanna Tang
Graphic Designer: Kathleen Esguerra
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