The ever-stylish Meatpacking District was a host to Barbie and the CFDA’s fashion lounge on Friday night, presenting a fusion of fashion and technology, while showcasing looks from some of the CFDA’s most promising designers. Living dolls behind oversized Barbie boxes wore outfits from Charlotte Ronson, Cynthia Vincent, Rebecca Taylor, Tess Giberson, and WHIT. The one-of-a-kind looks were all inspired by Barbie, and gave the designers the opportunity to dress the doll who inspired many of them as children.
The event comes just before Barbie will launch her new and innovative Barbie Fashion Design Maker, a product aimed at inspiring young girls’ imaginations and creativity through fashion design and self-expression, the ultimate goal of Barbie’s fashion tour. While Ken was nowhere in sight, perfectly coiffed waiters entertained VIP’s like celebrity blogger Perez Hilton and Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn with pink lemonade and hors d’oeuvres, as guests designed custom looks for Barbie on impressive interactive displays, and admired exclusive Barbie inspired wearable technology which was also on view.
Although the notion of Barbie is more likely to evoke nostalgia than high-fashion, this doll has collaborated with Vera Wang, Karl Lagerfeld, and Versace in the past, so the scene is nothing new to her. With future appearances planned for Paris, Milan, and London, Barbie will remind us all that she is not only a doll, she is a style icon.
Article by Amelia Whitworth for FashionIQ