Mattel, Inc recently announced a groundbreaking collaboration between the Barbie franchise and renowned Italian design company, Kartell, unveiling an innovative collection that spans toys and consumer goods. This partnership, involving Kartell and Mattel Creations, reinterprets five iconic chairs originally designed for Kartell by celebrated architect Philippe Starck. Founded in 1949, Kartell has been a trailblazer in Italian design, known for its commitment to innovation and creativity. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).
The collaboration introduces five of Kartell’s most iconic chairs—AI, Venice, Louis Ghost, Masters and Ero/s—in Barbie-sized versions, each with a Barbie-inspired twist. This collection marks the launch of the first Barbie Signature series featuring doll-sized furniture. Kartell reportedly also showcased five full-sized versions of these chairs at Milan Design Week, with limited editions of the Barbie-themed Masters and Louis Ghost chairs available exclusively for collectors. This limited collection emphasizes sustainable design, using innovative materials like bamboo and 100 per cent FSC recycled paper packaging.
Each chair is crafted in both original and doll-sized proportions to commemorate Barbie’s 65th anniversary, with all furniture pieces colored in Pantone 219 C, the iconic Barbie Pink, and made from recycled plastic. The lineup includes Starck’s AI chair, Kartell’s first chair designed using artificial intelligence. Other standout pieces include the Louis Ghost chair, inspired by baroque French furniture from Louis XV’s reign and made from a single piece of translucent polycarbonate, and the Masters’ Chair, which merges silhouettes from three 20th-century design legends: Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames.
The Masters’ Chair in Barbie Pink stands out as a versatile piece, whether used as a dining chair, a living room centerpiece, or a bedroom accent, blending playful elegance with sophisticated design. Kartell’s interpretation infuses spaces with whimsy and nostalgia, featuring a sleek silhouette and a Barbie Dreamhouse-inspired aesthetic. The collection also includes the Venice model, a timeless dining chair, and the egg-shaped Eros swivel chair, rounding out the series.
The Barbie x Kartell collection debuted at the Mattel Creations pop-up during Conde Nast’s The Vogue Italia Closet exhibition, which began on April 16, 2024. This week-long event highlighted past Mattel Creations collaborations, where toys transform into art. Kartell also displayed full-sized versions of the collection at Milan Design Week, with limited editions of the Barbie-themed Masters and Louis Ghost chairs available for purchase on the Kartell and Mattel Creations websites.
Image credit: Mattel and Kartell
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