Barbie news and archive

L Catterton reportedly submits acquisition bid for Barbie owner Mattel

LVMH-backed private equity firm L Catterton is believed to have submitted an acquisition proposal for toy maker Mattel, a move that could encourage other suitors to also step forward with bids. According to anonymous sources for Reuters, while such a bid is believed to have been made, there is no guarantee that Mattel will explore the...

Culture |In Pictures

Design Museum opens major Barbie exhibition

London’s Design Museum is banking on another summer of Barbie-mania with an exhibition dedicated to Mattel’s favourite doll, charting Barbie’s legacy and design evolution through fashion, architecture, furniture, and even body image. ‘Barbie: The Exhibition,’ runs until February 23, 2025, and marks the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand,...

Culture

Margot Robbie’s Barbie red carpet looks immortalised in new book

Barbie-mania is still going strong. Book publisher Rizzoli and toy company Mattel have announced a new book documenting the red carpet fashion worn by actress Margot Robbie during the press tour for the ‘Barbie’ movie last year. The ‘Barbie: The World Tour’ coffee table book launches on March 8 and will offer fans a detailed look into the iconic...

CultureFeatured

Best of 2023: Documentaries, series and films that shaped fashion trends

Just before the end of the year, FashionUnited traditionally takes a look back at the films, documentaries and series that were released in the last twelve month. What has emerged for 2023? 2023 was the year of fashion trends that were inspired by the silver screen or, vice versa, inspired audiovisual art. Here is an overview of the series and...

CultureFeatured

Design Museum to explore 65 years of Barbie

The Design Museum in London is teaming up with global toy company Mattel to launch an all-new exhibition exploring 65 years of its iconic fashion doll Barbie. The exhibition will open next year, from July 5, 2024, to February 23, 2025, as part of Barbie’s 65th anniversary. The Barbie exhibit will map the Barbie legacy that started in 1959 when...

Fashion |In Pictures

Wrangler teams up with Barbie on a Western-inspired collection

Denim brand Wrangler has unveiled a collaboration with Barbie featuring archival, western-inspired styles to capture the “imaginative and playful style” of the fashion doll. The Wrangler x Barbie collection reimagines brand archives and pays homage to the Barbie brand’s history of experimenting with Western-inspired fashion and her authentic...

Fashion Featured

Barbie’s endless wardrobe costs 2.2 trillion pounds "in real life"

A recent study conducted by the cost-comparison platform Idealo has shed light on the staggering real-world cost of Barbie's opulent lifestyle, encompassing luxury cars, a private jet, and an extensive wardrobe. This analysis reveals that emulating Barbie's lifestyle would come with a jaw-dropping price tag of 2.241 trillion pounds. The release...

Fashion |In Pictures Featured

Barbiecore: Fashion and beauty brands team up with Mattel

Mattel’s favourite doll Barbie is the toast of fashion and beauty ahead of the highly anticipated ‘Barbie the Movie’ film release starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, with the toy company securing over 100 licensing deals across fashion, beauty, and accessories. Everywhere you go you are bombarded with Barbie pink, with the Barbiecore trend...

Fashion

ThredUp teams up with ‘Barbie’ costume designer Jacqueline Durran

ThredUp, one of the world's largest online resale platforms, has partnered with Academy Award-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran on an exclusive #Barbiecore Dream Shop experience. Durran is the costume designer for ‘Barbie, the Movie,’ which stars Margot Robbie and comes out July 21 and she has thrifted on ThredUp to curate a custom...

Retail |In Pictures

Selfridges turns pink with Barbie-inspired activations

Destination Barbie has landed at luxury department store Selfridges in London, with several exclusive Barbie-inspired activations, from Barbie at The Corner Shop, a pop-up in The Toy Shop, and windows featuring official costumes from the upcoming Barbie movie. The Corner Shop at Selfridges has been reimaged as a place where Barbie would shop and...

Fashion Featured

Runway to Retail - Barbiecore

Mattel’s Barbie doll was first launched in 1959 and grew to become an American icon alongside Mickey Mouse and Coca Cola. Pre-Pandemic, Warner Bros announced that they would be releasing a movie called ‘Barbie,’ directed by Greta Gerwig, and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The news inspired a TikTok trend called ‘Barbiecore,’ with the...

Fashion |In Pictures

Barbie gets her own luxury sleepwear with Karen Mabon

Luxury sleepwear designer Karen Mabon has unveiled a limited-edition collaboration with fashion doll Barbie. The six-piece collection draws upon some of the most recognisable Barbies from throughout the years, including paying homage to the original ‘1959’ Barbie with the poolside print, taking inspiration from her instantly recognisable chevron...