No Green in Sight for Boomer Barbie
Badgley Mischka Red Carpet (2008)
As an international icon, Barbie has been lucky enough to have designers like Anna Sui, Diane Von Furstenberg and Derek Lam custom-create both lavish ball gowns and wardrobe essentials. I can only hope that of these hip designers, there will be one or two visionaries helping the immortalized Barbie evolve into something more substantial – if she has to be part of our toy line-up, at all.
In April 2010, Barbie will get another marketing stroke of genius (if not another revenue boost) when designers from the Toronto Fashion Incubator take part in the TFI New Labels Fashion Design Competition. Canadian’s women’s wear designers with less than three years experience will be given the task of creating and presenting 15 fashion looks in which three of them will be Barbie-inspired, little black dresses taken to new extremes.
Adriana Gut, Barbie Brand Manager of Mattel Canada says in a press release: “Our partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator further solidifies Barbie’s place in fashion. Her role within the program will celebrate the launch of Barbie Basics, a new line of dolls that invite girls of all ages to customize, personalize, and play based on the timeless fashion classic – the Little Black Dress!”
Judged by some of the most influential people in the fashion industry today, the winner will be presented with a $10,000 cash prize provided by Mattel Canada as well as a prize package valued at over $25,000 provided by ELLE Canada.
As iconic as the LBD is, how about making Barbie symbolize more than excess clothing and unattainable beauty, Mattel?
Why not commission the same TFI designers to create sustainable garb for the almost 51-years-old Babs?
Some might say eco just isn’t in line with who Barbie is, with her made-in-China ideals. Maybe Barbie is too old for green, stuck in her baby boomer ways.
According to the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s site, TFI New Labels® is a national design competition for apparel designers looking to make it in Canada’s fashion industry.
“We are tickled pink to partner with the makers of the most iconic fashion doll in history,” says Susan Langdon, Executive Director of TFI.
Image: Toronto Fashion Incubator
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6 Comments
December 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
An attempt at green fashion happened with the “Barbie BCause” doll– http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/.....oes-green/. I’d like to see Barbie herself become more sustainable, with recycled or possibly plant-based plastic…
December 29th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I agree wholeheartedly Kirsten!
December 30th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Yeah, Barbie get your green on. I want an Amy doll in Shift clothes.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Ha!
December 30th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I’m afraid that any kind of eco-Barbie wouldn’t ever come out of the mainstream toy industry. Really, the most eco-iest dolls that ever were made were rag dolls, and look how stylish Raggedy Ann and Andy are, after all that world popularity!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Set aside the fantasy body shape, all of that hard plastic packaging, and the marketing.
Who remembers making Barbie clothes to sell at garage sales? (come on, now, late Boomers)
This is a fun way to recycle worn and outgrown clothing, allow your kids to practice their design skills and make something using their own two hands instead of buying doll clothing off the shelf.
No, this doesn’t address the Big Issues, but it’s a step in a positive direction.
Thoughts?
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