Barbie’s famous body has waxed and waned through the decades since her advent in 1959, but like it or not, it has always remained a draw for the best of designers. She has worn the world’s best labels. Christian Dior and Armani have dressed her, so have Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera and Christian Louboutin, not to mention Chanel.
The Givenchy Barbie wears a classic reproduction of a 1956 gown by the label. In 1997, the 50th anniversary of Christian Dior, Barbie wore an authentic reproduction of the label’s famed “New Look” silhouette from the post-World War II years. The new silhouette wanted to reclaim fullness and femininity back to women’s clothing with its narrow-shouldered top and a calf-length full skirt. She also wears a Parisian straw hat, a pearl necklace, as well as black panties, stockings, garter and a black lace-trimmed tulle petticoat. It’s so easy to forget she is just a doll.
In her 50th anniversary, Barbie was dressed by none other than Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel. “For me, Barbie is fun,” Lagerfield had said, “she is touching in a way with her naive beauty she has represented for so many decades without really changing.”
Bob Mackie, known for dressing Cher up for her spectacular, eyebrow-raising appearances on the red carpet on a number of occasions, has done the same with Barbie. More, in fact. He has his own Barbie set in the Mattel house: there are dozens of Barbies, wearing his elaborate, colourful, sequinned, plumed, eye-popping creations.
However, the pink that we associate with Barbie seems to be her own. Her designer closet does not seem to have that shade so much. It must be the colour of her mind.
She is wearing this white embroidered lace gown in mermaid shape with a transparent, tiered light blue train that makes it royal and princessy. It is romantic and cool
Pictures: Courtesy Mattel
