Balmain Collaborates With The Iconic Barbie For A Genderless Collection And NFTs
One of the biggest labels in fashion is all set to bring together a blend of metaverse with a dash of nostalgia. Sounds interesting, right? French luxury fashion house Balmain has joined hands with the world of Barbie for an exclusive collection. Paying homage to Pierre Balmain, who curated a range of miniaturised designs worn by 200 dolls at the ‘Théâtre de la Mode’ back in the year 1945, the collaboration aims to diversify into inclusive, genderless, ready-to-wear designs. Dreamy, glossy and fancy, the capsule collection replicates the signature Barbie aesthetic with a few altered and added elements to fit into the world today. Holding a strong influential spot in pop culture and design, the Barbie universe has garnered mixed reactions ever since its debut in the year 1959. Synonymous to childhood memories, Barbie dolls often mirror fashion, ideas and beliefs of the current societal air. Giving the classic Barbie a modern twist, the collection shatters the boundaries which fence and label us with a colour and gender.
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Renovating this very idea of a Barbie doll, Balmain’s latest collection ranges from quirky bags, t-shirts, badges and hoodies, tailored with keeping the essence of the classic Barbie silhouette, colour palette and font intact. Democratising the world of Barbie for all, Balmain’s Creative Director Olivier shared his vision behind the collection over Instagram, “I m so pleased to introduce you to our new BALMAIN X BARBIE collaboration. It’s a dream come true, since a kid I always loved Barbie and I m feel so proud to be part of the Barbie world. Thank you so much Mattel and Barbie for believing in us and creating this journey together. I feel so proud of this collaboration with a whole new unisex collection coming out on January 13th and a collection that breaks BOUNDERIES !!!! Get ready.”
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He further added, “So this collaboration is more than just a collaboration. There is a message stronger than just a colour card. 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, pink is for girls. That’s why I love so much this collaboration because Balmain and Barbie is bringing and stopping clichés and bringing a new era where FREEDOM is the right word. I feel so proud of this collaboration because we building a world where you are not defined by neither a gender, neither colors, neither codes that are not relevant today anymore. I am proud of this picture because it shows that the beauty of letting dreams with freedom since a young age will make you a free adult with passion.”
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Incorporating fifty items of clothing and accessories, the special collection brings to life the classic Balmain Labyrinth monogram pattern, designed by Pierre Balmain in the ’70s with Barbie’s signature bubblegum pink headlining it. Taking the right steps in the world of innovation, the limited edition will have three one-of-a-kind NFTs of Barbie and Ken, available for NFT auction on January 11, 2022. Interested buyers will be able to purchase three Barbie avatars created by the design studio Forget Me Not GMBH. The highest bidder will also get the same doll-sized outfit in the physical form (wow, it’s a win-win). Hinting at the strong bond between fashion and innovation, this collaboration manufactures the age-old legacy of the two brands to enter the next phase of digitised fashion.
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The collection is set to hit stores and online platforms on January 13, 2022.
