Mattel Debuts New Black and White Bathing Suit Barbie
Mattel is unveiling a new face for Barbie today and throwing a pink-carpet birthday bash at her real Malibu Dream House. Unveiled today at the Malibu Dream House, the new Bathing Suit Barbie doll (pictured above) is a modernized version of the original 1959 doll. Mattel is paying homage to Barbie doll's original 1959 price by offering the new doll for $3 during Barbie doll's birthday week - March 9-14 at participating retailers nationwide. Amazon.com is one of the retailers selling the new Barbie for $3 here. It's also sold here on Toysrus.com.
The new doll also debuts a new face for Barbie. Mattel describes the new face as "a more natural look, including a thinner jaw line, more almond-shaped eyes, fuller lips and a softer makeup palette using shimmery pink lip shades and neutral eye colors." The 2009 Bathing Suit Barbie doll sports a two-piece black-and-white bikini trimmed with Barbie's signature color pink, pink hoop earrings, ponytail and a cell phone.
"Barbie's birthday is a celebration of 50 legendary years as a fashion icon, pop culture princess and inspiration to so many girls around the world," said Richard Dickson, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Barbie. "Barbie's birthday is also the time for generations of girls to celebrate their Barbie memories and create new ones. We're so excited about all the celebrations taking place around the world - through special events, at retail, online, in homes - and we hope everyone finds a way to have a Barbie moment today."
Barbie has also moved into a new residence today - a real Malibu Dream House - a 3,500-square-foot home in Malibu, Calif., decorated by interior designer Jonathan Adler. The home is a life-size interpretation of Barbie's Dream House and contains customized design elements such as skirted, corseted, lace-up "dress" chairs, a chandelier made of Barbie hair, a closet filled with thousands of pink shoes, a sunburst mirror made from 65 Barbie dolls, several pieces from the Barbie Loves Jonathan Adlerhome décor collection (launching nationwide in September 2009), and a garage that includes a real BarbieVolkswagen New Beetle car (all pink with a motorized, pop up vanity in the trunk). The house also features a BarbieMuseum which houses dozens of dolls and art from Mattel's archives, including a rare #1 (1959) Barbie doll, several dolls from throughout the decades and art pieces such as Barbie paintings by Andy Warhol and Donald Baechlor.
"Of all my work, bringing to life Barbie's famous Malibu Dream House has been one of the most fun design projects yet," said Jonathan Adler. "Barbie was a dream client because she doesn't have a husband to rein in the fantasy or tone down the glamour."
Here's the new Barbie next to the old bathing suit Barbie from 1959.
