American Barbie turns Indian chic this Diwali. The limited-edition doll is the ambassador of rich Indian culture metamorphosed to suit a global audience.
The costume, ‘Moonlight Bloom’, comes from the stable of prominent Indian couturier Anita Dongre. It has a choli (top), a Koti vest with floral patterns and a lehenga (skirt) blooming with jasmine, lotus and dahlias.
The collaboration combines tradition and modernity, showcasing a vibrant cultural icon in a festive avatar.
Anita founder of House of Anita Dongre, an Indian fashion house, has built her name in the global fashion market. She aims to empower women artists from the rural world and save the unique craftsmanship of India.
Just like all of Dongre's designs, ‘Moonlight Bloom’ is a labor of love, featuring intricate detailing and exquisite artistry.
The doll comes with a stand for posing and display, along with a Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary slightly, adding a personalized touch to each piece in this exclusive collection.
In an interview with Vogue India ahead of the global release of the Barbie edition, Anita reflected on how Barbies weren't marketed in India during her childhood.
“Like every other young girl, I played with little dolls,” said Anita, “It was a very integral part of my childhood. We were three sisters, and we shared our dolls—we did a lot of play-acting with them. Role-playing with dolls opens up a world of so many possibilities.”
Anita also mentioned, “For me, it was the first time I was designing something for a doll,” she said, “that too for a company like Mattel.”
“Designing for a doll is quite different from designing for a real person,” she explained, as the scale is smaller, so every detail must be more precise and thoughtful. “The process feels more intimate."
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