| EVENT REPORT 03.17.09 2:20 PM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| What a Doll |
| In honour of Barbie's 50th anniversary, Mattel partnered with Canadian designer David Dixon to create a special collection to launch LG Fashion Week and open Canada's first Barbie pop-up at the Bay on Queen. |
|
Furniture bearing Barbie's pony-tailed silhouette, earrings in the shape of black stiletto heels, and Wellington boots adorned with the doll's image—in pink, of course—are just some of the items for sale at Canada's first Barbie Signature Shop. Launched by Mattel on Monday—just hours before Canadian designer David Dixon presented a Barbie-inspired collection to open LG Fashion Week—the pop-up store will house collectible dolls, Dixon's designs, and a furniture line created by his brother Glenn Dixon. The shop, on the main floor of the Bay's flagship store on Queen Street, will be open for the next two months.
"In Canada we always wanted to go after the whole Barbie experience. So we partnered with the Bay to launch this initiative," said Carmen Martinez, Mattel's Canadian licensing manager, who worked with Mattel senior marketing manager Reidin Goode to create a program designed to expand the Barbie brand beyond the doll, and mark her 50th anniversary (which Mattell celebrated in California at a luxe version of the doll's Malibu Dream House earlier this month). |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | The Bay's flagship store on Queen Street will house Canada's first Barbie Signature Shop for the next two months.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | Furnishings by Glenn Dixon, fashions by David Dixon, and collectible Barbie dolls are on display at the shop, which offers a range of Barbie products.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | Framed images of Barbie hang on a pink wall at the entrance to the shop.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | David and Glenn Dixon (centre) joined the designers from Foxy Originals and executives from the Bay and Mattel to cut a pink ribbon at the store opening.
Photo: BizBash |
|
|
 | Mannequins dressed in pink Barbie T-shirts and newspaper skirts lined the window along the front of the tent, lit in pink for the opening night show at LG Fashion Week.
Photo: George Pimentel |
|
|
 | David Dixon presented his signature collection, entitled "Brave," prior to the Barbie-inspired show.
Photo: George Pimentel |
|
|
 | Images of Barbie through the ages screened on the back wall and pink lighting lit the runway for David Dixon's Barbie collection.
Photo: George Pimentel |
|
|
 | Pink confetti fluttered down at the end of the show.
Photo: George Pimentel |
|
|
|
|
|
Martinez reported that Mattel started to create a Barbie lifestyle brand in 2000 in countries like Brazil—where the brand has been involved in the local fashion week for the past eight years—and in Japan, where there are 35 Barbie boutiques targeted to women. "I thought, 'We have to bring this to Canada,'" she said. At the store opening, organizers served mini cupcakes with pink icing and pink mocktails, made with pink grapefruit juice and soda water. Volunteers handed out pink Gerbera daisies to passersby on Queen Street, and the Dixon brothers joined Martinez to cut a pink ribbon inside the shop.
Martinez reported that Mattel reviewed a number of Canadian designers before approaching David Dixon for the project. "He is the perfect match for our brand. We love the approach he takes in his line. It is very feminine and very modern," she said. After securing a partnership with Dixon, Martinez and Goode began to focus on other Canadian labels and products that would tie in with the Barbie brand. The result—lines of high heels and handbags from Town Shoes, jewelry from Foxy Originals, bath and body products from Cake, and home furnishings designed by Glenn Dixon.
Glenn, whose furniture line includes pieces such as a hot pink ottoman and a white ultra suede sofa piped in pink, joked in an interview, "Barbie has taken over my life...I dream about her at night." In addition to designing his collection, Glenn produced his brother’s runway show. "It's very pink, very Barbie, very fun," he said of the theme for the show. "It's going to be tasteful and modern with lots of hits of pink...we're going to pink-ify the tents."
A hot pink carpet lay at the entrance to the tents at Nathan Phillips Square Monday, and servers offered pink martinis and pink champagne during a preshow cocktail party. Following the presentation of David’s signature collection, male models wearing T-shirts that read, “Ken…who?” handed out cans of Rich Prosecco to guests seated in the front rows. The song "Doll Parts" by Hole played as a video montage of Barbie images screened on the back wall before the models took to the runway, lit in pink.
A display of Glenn's furnishings sat inside a booth lined with collectible Barbie dolls, and attendees could share their Barbie stories at a confessional booth. "It's like a speaker's corner for Barbie," the furniture designer said. Servers offered pink cupcakes to guests following the show, and attendees received Barbie dolls in pink gift bags at the end of the evening.
—Susan O'Neill
RELATED TOPICS
LG Fashion Week, Fashion Design Council of Canada, David Dixon, Glenn Dixon, Mattel, The Bay, Barbie, Town Shoes, Foxy Originals, Cake
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
OCAD Gala Kicks Off Mystery Art Sale
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
Developer Hosts Green Cocktail Party, Mini Trade Show to Unveil Eco-Friendly Homes
New Moon Premiere Beckons 10,000 People and 2 Live Wolves
Dark and Moody Accents, Animal-Inspired Decor Appear on Tabletops at Diffa's Dining by Design
MORE STORIES ABOUT LG FASHION WEEK
LG Fashion Week Wraps With Runway Fund-Raiser
Lucian Matis Gets Cirque-Inspired After-Party at Oasi
Fashion Week Tents Get Spring Look With Crisp Decor, Topiary Trees
MORE STORIES ABOUT FASHION DESIGN COUNCIL OF CANADA
Fashion Week Gets Under Way With A.G.O. Show, Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail, Shakespeare on the Runway
LG Product Launch, L'Oréal Retrospective, Shakespearean Fashions Kick Off Fashion Week
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Tryst Nightclub
Part parlour, part garden, part labyrinth under the stars, Tryst is a multisensory experience that beguiles and enchants. Catering only to a discerning clientele, Tryst features three distinct salons that pay tribute to themes of opulence, extravagance, and unspoken sensuality. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Longo's Kitchen Catering
Longo’s Kitchen Catering has a passion for food. Our executive chef and knowledgeable staff will delight your guests with ready-to-serve, beautifully presented fresh cuisine. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Rynopolis Studios
Rynopolis Studios is a full-range photography studio serving the event, marketing, and advertising industries since 2004. Offering on-site digital photography and printing, Rynopolis’ photo booth gives events that extra fun factor to make a good night great. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
