Barbie’s Diwali makeover: Celebrating Indian tradition with designer Anita Dongre’s signature look

As Diwali, the largest Hindu pageant of lights, approaches, Mattel has launched a brand new Barbie Signature figurine designed to…
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As Diwali, the largest Hindu pageant of lights, approaches, Mattel has launched a brand new Barbie Signature figurine designed to reinforce the worldwide celebrations, particularly in India. The newest Barbie doll is wearing a standard Indian outfit, created by famend Indian clothier Anita Dongre, and showcases the vibrancy and fantastic thing about Indian tradition. The discharge has already garnered pleasure, with Diwali set to be celebrated on October 31 this yr.

The Barbie Diwali doll options beautiful Indian parts, together with a patterned lehenga skirt, a floral vest referred to as a koti, and a cropped high often called a choli. Based on Mattel, this particular version doll is adorned in a “Moonlight Bloom set with a floral Koti vest, choli high, and lehenga skirt adorned with dahlias, jasmine, and Indian lotus—symbols of energy and sweetness.” Finishing the festive ensemble, the doll wears glowing earrings and gold bangles, which Mattel explains “mirror the radiant lights of the pageant.”

Mattel has described Dongre’s design for Barbie as a mix of contemporary aesthetics with conventional Indian craftsmanship. Her intricate work is acknowledged globally for merging the previous with the brand new, and this Barbie doll captures that stability completely. “Dongre’s magnificent search for Barbie superbly blends trendy aesthetics with conventional craftsmanship,” Mattel mentioned in a press release.

Anita Dongre herself expressed her pleasure in regards to the challenge, sharing her journey with the enduring doll. “In celebration of Diwali, Barbie and I are each encouraging followers all over the world to rejoice the attractive heritage of Indian vogue and tradition,” Dongre mentioned in a press launch. Talking solely to PEOPLE, she added, “I didn’t have an opportunity to personal a Barbie because it wasn’t accessible in India once I was a child. But it surely’s an unbelievable feeling to get to design my very own Barbie. This doll is my first one, and it’s so very particular to lastly personal a Barbie I designed!”

Dongre revealed that when Mattel approached her for the Diwali Barbie challenge, she was ecstatic. She seen it as an unbelievable alternative to showcase Indian design to a world viewers. “I’m particularly excited to deliver Diwali, a celebration that’s really international at this time, to the forefront,” she shared. The Diwali Barbie challenge took greater than a yr to develop, with a number of prototypes created earlier than the ultimate look was permitted.

Chatting with USA TODAY earlier this week, Dongre defined that she wished Barbie’s outfit to resonate with younger ladies globally. Her design includes a up to date twist on conventional Indian clothes. “I had eight to 10 designs as I wished Barbie’s ensemble to resonate with all the ladies globally, which is why the highest is a recent interpretation of the ‘Rajasthani koti,’ and the lehenga is usual like a skirt,” she elaborated.

The Barbie Diwali doll will likely be accessible in a big field that enhances the darkish blue shade of her outfit, embellished with Dongre’s signature motifs. Beginning on October 4, clients should buy the doll at main retailers like Goal, Amazon, and Walmart, in addition to Mattel’s web site, for $40.

Barbie’s Diwali transformation is greater than only a new outfit; it’s a celebration of tradition, variety, and the rising international recognition of Indian traditions. With this new launch, Mattel and Anita Dongre hope to make Diwali much more particular for Barbie followers worldwide.


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