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By: Cathy Donnelly, Manager of Exhibit Development
Ooh la la! What if you could star in a fashion show in Paris? That’s just what Barbie™ does in her new movie, Barbie™: A Fashion Fairytale.
Here at the museum we are lucky enough to have some very special Barbie® dolls on display in Barbie™: The Fashion Experience, the only licensed Barbie™ exhibit in the United States! Mattel loaned the museum seven prototype dolls from Barbie™: A Fashion Fairytale. If you look closely, you can see that each prototype—or test doll— was made by hand, including the outfit, jewelry, makeup, and hairstyle. 
Think of the hours and hours it took to sew the outfits, paint the faces, and style the hair! Mattel used these prototypes to check every tiny detail and ensure the dolls are as close as possible to designer Patricia Chan’s original concept. Each doll is a rare, one-of-a-kind artwork!
Our favorite is this Barbie® doll in the sparkling bright-pink dress. In the movie, Barbie® models this gorgeous gown on the runway at a Parisian fashion house. She has help from three Flairies™ (think fairies), who add their special shine, shimmer, and glimmer on the catwalk. As Barbie™ spins and swirls, the Flairies™ magically transform the dress into a dazzling fashion success.
You’ll be dazzled yourself when you see all the prototypes—including Ken® in a silvery tux—now on display (for a limited time) in Barbie™: The Fashion Experience.
