Photo: Mattel Creations
Cover Photo: Mattel Creations

China’s first and only officially recognised couturier has partnered up with Barbie to celebrate the festive season

Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei is best known for incorporating her cultural heritage into her epic designs, from Song Zuying's shimmering dress with 200,000 Swarovski crystals at the 2008 Summer Olympics closing ceremony to Rihanna’s canary-yellow trailing dress for the 2015 Met Gala that took 50,000 hours to complete.

This year, she brings her vision to Mattel in a collaboration facilitated by the Asian Couture Federation with an exclusive design paying homage to the phoenix. A traditional symbol of rebirth and rising from the ashes that speaks to the optimistic mood of the new year, this motif can be found in every aspect of the collectible doll.

The Barbie doll wears a traditional Chinese dress in red, embroidered with a striking phoenix. The mythical bird also appears on the accessories, including the prominent gold hairpiece and shoes.

See also: 5 Red Packet Etiquette Tips to Follow For Chinese New Year 2022

Tatler Asia
Photo: Mattel Creations
Above Photo: Mattel Creations
Tatler Asia
Photo: Mattel Creations
Above Photo: Mattel Creations
Tatler Asia
Photo: Mattel Creations
Above Photo: Mattel Creations
Tatler Asia
Photo: Mattel Creations
Above Photo: Mattel Creations

This is not the first time the world-renowned couturier has ventured into this space. Last year, she designed the costumes for Moon goddess Chang’e in the award-winning animated movie, Over The Moon. She also dressed Mickey and Minnie Mouse in exclusive designs for Chinese New Year at Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney California Adventure Park.

See also: 5 Asian Designers André Leon Talley Championed Before They Were Cool

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Photography  

Jason Tidwell

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