The New Muse Behind Christian Siriano's One-Of-A-Kind Collection Is... Barbie?
Christian Siriano has a reputation within the fashion industry for being unapologetically body positive, casting models of all shapes and sizes for his runway shows. His latest collection of evening gowns, inspired by dream celebrity designs, have been downsized somewhat to fit his latest casting of models: the Barbie crew.
The New York based designer has teamed up with Mattel to bring one of a kind evening gown designs to life for Barbie fans in the new Fashionistas collection. There are five designs available, four of which were inspired by celebrity red carpet wear, and the fifth inspired by Siriano's own Resort 2018 collection. The crop top and skirt co-ord was inspired by actress Sarah Hyland, whilst the lemon trouser dress was inspired by Solange Knowles. They were individually created for the different body types available from Barbie since the brand's body positive shake-up, with the aim to highlight body diversity and the values of inclusivity that Mattel and the Christian Siriano both share.
Credit: Mattel
'Barbie has always been a huge inspiration to me and I'm honored to be teaming up with this iconic brand,' said Christian Siriano. 'It's especially exciting to be designing an array of inclusive and diverse doll looks that can allow girls to see themselves better represented when they play. It was incredible to recreate iconic red carpet moments and dress my latest muse, Barbie, in a new look from my Resort 2018 collection.'
Mattel's re-branding of Barbie was a breath of fresh air to the doll line, which often left the children who played with them alienated and feeling underrepresented. The previous Barbie figure also encouraged unattainable body expectations, which the newer range saw to change, with new skin tones, shapes, sizes, heights, hair types and styles diversifying the dolls.
The dolls aren't for sale and are merely a gorgeous way to support body diversity in both the Barbie world and the high-fashion world.
