MATERIAL GURLLL: BALMAIN x BARBIE
DENIZ AKKAYA
♫♪I’m a Barbie girl in a very very digital world♪♫
Balmain and Barbie have announced a multifaceted collaboration comprised of both an imminent collection and a series of exclusive NFTs, the latter marking the first instance of the Barbie brand engaging in the digital art space.
Their new partnership that celebrates both entities’ contributions to fashion and culture. Featuring ready-to-wear pieces, accessories and exclusive NFTs, the collaboration marks the inaugural partnership between the French luxury house and one of the world’s most prominent fashion dolls.
When he was growing up, Olivier Rousteing liked playing with Barbies, though his father disapproved. “I was not really allowed, to be honest, because my dad was a bit worried about me playing with Barbie,” he confessed.
The ready-to-wear collection with accessories encompasses over 50 pieces in a multicultural and inclusive campaign. This is the first time the doll brand is delving into the digital art space, creating three pieces of Ken and Barbie donned in Balmain apparel. Each NFT will come with brand-inspired items of a similar size, marking new chapters in both the fashion and toy industries. The campaign is styled by Charlotte Stockdale and Katie Lyall and lensed by Norbert Schoerner.
The physical collection is scheduled to drop on January 13 via the Balmain website, Mattel Creations and offline retail stores, while the NFTs will be auctioned from January 11 to 14 in a mintNFT format.
