Photo: Courtesy Barbie
Powered by pink and self-expression, the new Barbie SS23 ready-to-wear collection delivers a dose of sheer joy. Via a collaboration with Jean-Louis Sabaji – Barbie’s latest partnership with a Middle Eastern designer in the region – the collection is a celebration of the beauty and strength of Arab women through a showcase of fun yet captivatingly powerful ensembles. It follows close on the heels of another milestone – Barbie was named the Fashion Icon for 2021 at the Arab Fashion Week in Dubai late last year. This month, Vogue Arabia spotlights the incredible collaborative collection with a special spread that sees Lebanese actor Cynthia Samuel decked out in the brand new pieces.“Barbie is at her best when she connects to culture – she is both timeless and timely, which has made it possible to partner with fashion designers all over the world, with each collection incorporating their interpretation of the brand,” says Kim Culmone, SVP and global head of design Barbie & Fashion Dolls. “Jean-Louis’s early fashion experiences with Barbie and passion for our brand made him a perfect match for this partnership and the collection shows it!”
Photo: Sam Rawadi
Barbie’s latest line with Jean-Louis Sabaji is based on themes love, equality, and women empowerment. The designer took inspiration from flamingos – the heart-shape they make with their necks a show of love, the same color of the males and females showcasing equality, and the dance ritual of male flamingoes trying to attract the females a display of surrendering power to the woman. True to theme, Barbie signature pinks dominate the collection, matched with black to highlight the color further. Both fitted and voluminous silhouettes are paired with belts, chokers and cut-outs, with natural fall feathers, crystal beading and heart-shaped material. “Fashion is freedom of expression and is a tool for every woman to tell the world who she is,” Sabaji says.
Photo: Sam Rawadi
Barbie has celebrated over 60 role models and inspiring women over the past five years, women who have paved the way and are breaking boundaries, including Ibtihaj Muhammad – the first American Olympian to compete while wearing a hijab who was honored as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2016 – and Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dr Jane Goodall, to name a few. “Barbie believes in the power of representation and we are committed to showcasing diversity across the brand,” Culmone says. “Our Barbie Fashionistas line is where the Barbie brand delivers the most diversity and inclusion, and since its inception, 175+ looks have been introduced, offering children a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, abilities, and fashions to choose from. Our goal is to represent global diversity in the fashion doll aisle by showcasing a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion. Today, we offer dolls that use prosthetic limbs, dolls that use a wheelchair, a doll without hair, dolls reflecting vitiligo, along with several body types, skin tones, hairstyles, hair colors and eye colors to choose from.”
Sabaji echoes the sentiment. “Children’s toys are the first experience a child can have with fashion, so it is very important to place between their hands a perception that builds confidence and empowerment and Barbie are doing so by their endless choice of diverse dolls when it comes to body image, jobs, and clothing.”
Photo: Sam Rawadi
The new collaboration was kickstarted by the Arab Fashion Council, which has been supporting young creatives in the region through various initiatives over the years, including a scholarship program, and by leveraging the Arab Fashion Week’s power in showcasing emerging regional talent. Mohammed Aqra, chief strategy officer, Arab Fashion Council. “As a result, millennials and Gen Z endorse new innovative, inclusive, and sustainable brands, three pillars embedded in our initiatives. The collaboration between Barbie x Jean Louis Sabaji addresses these pillars and disseminates a positive impact and awareness that youth can associate with it,” says Mohammed Aqra, chief strategy officer, Arab Fashion Council.
Barbie’s first fashion foray into the region isn’t going to be its last. “We are thrilled to be bringing the much-anticipated Barbie-inspired ready to wear SS23 collection to fans soon and know this is just the beginning for exciting high-end fashion collaborations in this region,” Culmone says.
Photography: Sam Rawadi
Style: Mariam Sawan
Hair and makeup: Moe Rida at Local Vice Management
Nails: The Nail Style Beirut
Producer: Danica Zivkovic
Model: Cynthia Samuel
