2019 CFDA Fashion Awards Honors Barbie with Board of Directors’ Tribute Award
C‘mon Barbie, let’s go party! It truly is a party to Barbie for a double celebration; as CFDA Fashion Awards honoree of Board of Directors’ Special Tribute Award on June 3, and she also turned 60 on March 9 this year.
For 60 years, Barbie has been empowering females of any age around the world with her upbeat personality and positive outlook in life. She inspires fashion designers, artists, and continuously challenging the creative community to conquer, yet, another incredible idea or story.
2019 CFDA Fashion Awards Honors Barbie with Board of Directors’ Tribute Award
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Photos: Mattel, Inc.
Not only that Barbie is into fashion, but she’s also into music. We all know the phrase, “Music Heals,” Barbie is fantastic in that department, as well. One of the most played inspirational songs is “What if I Shine” from Rock ‘n Royals soundtrack. Danish-Norwegian bubble-gum pop music group, Aqua, shined when they hit multi-platinum crossover in their single “Barbie Girl” in 1997.
Throughout Barbie’s fashion journey, she is loved by many influential designers, personalities and brands such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Céline, Christian Dior, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Givenchy, and Moschino’s Jeremy Scott, Tommy X barbie doll Gigi Hadid and barbie doll of the late Karl Lagerfeld – are some of the brands who had famously collaborated with her.
For this year’s CFDA Fashion Awards, it is historical and one for the books. First, one of Mattel’s key collaborators, Bob Mackie, is also awarded the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Mackie began the Designer Collector series for Mattel in 1990 and created more than 45 Barbie Collector Dolls; and second, Barbie is the first ever nonliving awardee to receive such a great honor. Steven Kolb, President, and CEO of the CFDA state, “Barbie has had such wide influence on American fashion and culture. Her story personally resonates with so many CFDA members that the Board of Directors decided to honor her with the special tribute.”
Yes, Barbie has many things to celebrate this year.
She might be a doll but is powerful and can surely inspire individuals. Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel, envisioned to create a 3-D doll for girls to play out their dreams. The idea sparked when she was observing her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls for hours. In 1959, the first Barbie doll-named after Ruth’s daughter made its debut at New York Toy Fair.
Exclusive Interview with Mattel Spokesperson
Q: Happy 60th anniversary and congratulations on receiving the CFDA Board of Director’s Special Tribute! What’s your inspiration for continuously inspiring the world, especially the creative community and the fashion industry?
Since 1959, our mission has been to inspire the limitless potential in every kid who plays with the brand. In bringing this to life, the brand has inspired and been inspired by creatives around the globe for over 60 years. Barbie is a blank canvas for play, encouraging imagination, expression, and discovery for children, and we’ve seen the same pattern across all ages as Barbie has become a cultural icon and reflection of society.
Q: You have collaborated with over 75 designers and influencers, and the latest was with Jeremy Scott of Moschino for Kacey Musgraves ” Camp” look at the 2019 Met Gala. As a true fashion icon, can you give us a piece of advice on how to achieve that timeless style?
For over 60 years, Barbie has been a reflection of culture and fashion, making the brand both timely and timeless. For Barbie, timeless style means continuing to push the boundaries of what it means to be Barbie or look like Barbie and to showcase a diverse view of beauty.
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With love,
FWO
