India’s fashion designer Anita Dongre has done a collaboration with Barbie for the very first time through a unique project. Here’s a limited edition Barbie, dressed in a modern Indian lehenga to mark the festivity of Diwali. It indeed marked the first time that the iconic doll brand collaborated with an Indian designer, making it special for Barbie lovers in India and elsewhere.
Dongre’s Diwali Barbie sports a Moonlight Bloom lehenga, with delicate dahlia, jasmine, and lotus motifs delicately woven into it. This fresh touch to the traditional Barbie pink is Anita’s personal favorite: midnight blue. The coatee, inspired by the rich heritage of Rajasthan, portrays the essence of Indian craftsmanship. It would be wrong to undermine the sheer grandeur of that look, complemented merely by minimalist yet elegant accessories, like the classic chandbali earrings and simple gold bangles-perfectly quintessential for the modern Indian woman of today.
Not just because it celebrates Indian fashion, but says what the young confident Indian woman would like to be represented on a global platform. Dongre hopes that every young girl will see herself in this Barbie, embracing her heritage and yet empowered in her modern style. “I wanted every South Asian child look up to this Barbie with pride,” she says, reflecting on the doll’s symbolic value.
This Diwali Barbie is priced at INR 1,999 and testifies to how fashion can beautifully mingle tradition with modernity. It’s a perfect way for Barbie and Anita Dongre to celebrate Diwali together, which will bring lots of joy and pride to young girls around the world. It’s simply wonderful to see Indian heritage being followed and showcased in this way by global icons.
Do you think more iconic brands should collaborate to celebrate diverse cultures like this?
