Forget orange — pink is coming back as the new black this fall now that Mattel is teaming up with a series of brands on capsule collections inspired by the iconic Barbie doll. Forever 21, Wildfox and Lord & Taylor will each release a capsule collection as part of Mattel’s efforts to highlight the doll as a fashion icon. The toy company seems to have already begun to give Barbie a stylish edge, since it recently announced plans to release a Karl Lagerfeld-inspired doll. We guess actual clothing is simply the next step.
According to WWD, each retailer’s collection draws inspiration from decades past. Lord & Taylor will focus on the classic polish of the 50s and 60s, Wildfox, the lively colorful 80s and Forever 21, the 90s. Each brand will offer a range of products. Forever 21 is expected to roll out a pretty all-encompassing line. In addition to apparel and accessories, the 29-piece collection will offer cosmetics and athletic wear with prices ranging from $3.90 to $24.90. Lord & Taylor will exclusively sell sleepwear ($37.50-$183) aimed at a more mature customer.
Wildfox is known for its cheeky, playful aesthetic and is taking quite literal inspiration for this collaboration. The Los Angeles-based brand is rolling out an eight-piece offering containing life-size replicas of some of Malibu Barbie’s outfits from the 80s. You’ll find swimsuits, denim and also sunglasses — most notably a pair of oversized round pale pink frames with rose-colored lenses. You will literally be able to dress like a Barbie doll.
The collections won’t all hit shelves at the same time. Wildfox is planning for a November 15 launch date, while Forever 21 and Lord & Taylor will release on September 5 and September 14 respectively.
Yep, it’s a lot of pink, but it will be interesting to see each retailer’s take on the theme in full, particularly Lord & Taylor, since its customer base is a bit older. It’s hard to imagine a grown woman traipsing around in Barbie PJs, after all.
[via WWD]
