Now in Hong Kong: Charlotte Olympia shoes that pay homage to Barbie
British designer’s collection harks back to the 1950s when the first Barbie appeared, and there’s a tie-in doll with hair, clothes and accessories that are pure Charlotte Olympia
Barbie divides opinion. People think the fashion doll made by US toy company Mattel, of which more than a billion have been sold since 1959, is either plastic fantastic or a bad role model for young girls that promotes an unrealistic body image. But for British shoe designer Charlotte Olympia Dellal there’s no doubt.
She loves Barbie, and her latest collection – now available in Hong Kong – pays homage to the doll. There’s even a tie-in Barbie.
“Isn’t it every girl’s dream to have a Barbie that looks like her?” says the designer.
Barbie X Charlotte Olympia is the latest big brand collaboration for the shoemaker (she has previously worked with Havaianas, Agent Provocateur and MAC Cosmetics).
The collaboration features a Barbie inspired by old Hollywood glamour and the brand’s design aesthetic, which mirrors the doll’s 1959 look. And while the Charlotte Olympia Barbie’s facial features might resemble earlier versions of the plastic fashion icon, her hair, clothes (her outfit is based on a Giambatista Valli outfit Dellal wears) and accessories are pure Charlotte Olympia.
The toy is dolled up in a two-piece leopard-print outfit with red platform pumps, a matching handbag, and gloves. She completes the ensemble with a bold lip colour, retro waves, and miniature accessories. “I wanted people to see the Barbie and know she was a Charlotte Olympia doll,” said Dellal.
