The most exclusive, limited edition Barbie is always the one that wears couture. Partnering with the likes of Moschino, Diane Von Furstenburg and Coach in the past, Barbie has a closet in her Barbie dream house that most girls can only dream of. Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing has now decided to take Barbie’s cutting edge fashion to the next level in his capsule collection collaboration that he dropped last week. Rousteing envisioned a collection that goes beyond the ‘Barbie and Ken’ boundaries, providing an array of pink pieces that aren’t specifically designated for men or women. Clothes are donned by models representing different skin colors, ethnicities, gender identities and sexualities.
“This collaboration is more than just a collaboration. There is a message stronger than just a color card,” Rousteing writes on Instagram. “When I was a little boy , I remembered hearing comments saying: a girl plays with Barbie, a boy with a car. This is such a cliché. As much as blue is for boy[s], pink is for girls … I feel so proud of this collaboration because we [are] building a world where you are not defined by gender, colors, [or] codes that are not relevant today anymore.”
The capsule collection marries the best of both worlds: Barbie pink and the Balmain print. The capsule is composed of 32 ready-to-wear items, including shirts, shoes, jackets, pants, etc. The boldest statements from the collection undoubtedly come from the top layers, i.e. blazers, jackets, cardigans. The duotone pink, monogram, nylon quilted puffer coat with double breasted gold buttons lined across the center of the bodice along with a belt that ties around the body, cinching the waist. A duotone pink, double breasted stripe blazer with shoulder pads. Amongst this fabulous doll dream collection are two lovely matching sets — a pink knit cardigan with matching knit leggings as well as a cropped hot pink denim jacket with matching hot pink boyfriend cut jeans. The most formal piece of clothing amongst the garments being a long sleeve, bubblegum pink mini dress with Balmain’s signature print etched from the mock neck cut to the shoulder pads and down to the hem of the dress.
The collection also features several casual pieces ranging from graphic tees to sweatshirts and it even includes a pink one-piece swimsuit. The words ‘Balmain Paris’ are emblazoned across each of these and several other items. The collection also comes with a variety of accessories, including a pair of pink acetate Jolie sunglasses, a pink leather crossbody phone case, a trucker hat as well as three pink calfskin bags, a pink calfskin wallet and a nylon quilted bag. Rousteing even drafted up four pairs of shoes (ski boots, ankle boots, high top sneakers, slip-ons) — all pink with the labyrinth print.
The overall collection conveys a feminine and childlike tone that anyone can appreciate. Those who grew up and enjoyed the peak of Barbie’s era can now indulge in their inner child’s real-life Barbie fantasy. In forming this collaboration, the luxury label and toy conglomerate have additionally chosen to join the NFT game, issuing a traditionally iconic fashion/doll crossover with a NFT auction. “We partnered with luxury French fashion house, Balmain for a collection featuring NFT collectibles,” Mattel wrote on Instagram. “The Balmain x Barbie NFT auction, hosted by @mintNFTofficial, features three distinctive Barbie and Ken avatars wearing exclusive looks from the Balmain x Barbie collection. The highest bidders of each NFT avatar will win both the avatar and a physical, one-of-a-kind Barbie-scaled version of the outfit their avatar is wearing.
Rousteing wrote on Instagram, “I’m so pleased to introduce you to our new BALMAIN X BARBIE collaboration. It’s a dream come true, since [I was] a kid I [have] always loved Barbie and I feel so proud to be part of the Barbie world.” The collection is now available for purchase on Balmain’s website.