Pendulum Magazine

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BARBIE® x KARTELL || This Iconic Pink Collection Merges Childhood Charm with Chic Design

The bubblegum pink icon that danced through our yesteryears now makes a whimsical statement in our living spaces.

We unravel the ribbons of nostalgia as we delve into the Barbie® x Kartell Collection – a collaboration that celebrates Barbie's 65th anniversary with an infusion of playful sophistication in furniture design.

Picture this: the cherished Barbie of your childhood, now sharing your adult life not just in memories but in form. Mattel Creations and Kartell have melded their crafts to create a collection at the crossroads of whimsy and elegance. Imagine sinking into the plush comfort of the iconic Louis Ghost or Masters chair, now rendered in vibrant bubblegum pink that echoes the spirit of Barbie – a hue that's not just a colour but an attitude.

This collection transcends the mere mimicry of form; it's an evolution of the Barbie essence into something functional and fabulously fun. By offering adult-sized renditions of Kartell’s five most iconic chairs, including the AI, Venice, and Ero|S|, alongside their doll-sized counterparts, this series invites us to rekindle our sense of play in the everyday.

The doll-sized collection of the iconic designs.

Sustainability is stitched into this partnership with as much care as the design itself. Innovative materials such as bamboo are employed, and the packaging made from 100% FSC recycled paper signals a commitment to environmental consciousness that resonates with the values of a modern audience.

The storytelling of this collaboration goes beyond the product; it's about creating a conversation piece in your home that speaks to your personal narrative. As Kim Culmone, the visionary behind Mattel's global doll design, remarks, "This collaboration truly transforms furniture into art," a fitting homage to Kartell's revolutionary design ethos and Barbie's enduring charm.

The collaboration infuses the playful and whimsy of the iconic Barbie brand into full-sized furniture.

Lorenza Luti of Kartell echoes this sentiment, noting that the joint endeavour not only honours Barbie's legacy but also "transforms our chairs into playful toys for fans of all ages." The timing is serendipitous, coinciding with the buzz of a recent Barbie film that has reawakened our affinity for this cultural icon.

Set to be unveiled during Milan Design Week, the collection will be available for a fleeting moment on Kartell's website, offering us a chance to own a piece of this extraordinary meeting of minds.

The Barbie® x Kartell Collection isn’t just furniture; it's a celebration of two brands that have coloured our world with imagination and innovation. It's a reminder that design can be both a comfort from our past and a canvas for our future – so why not let the playful pink of childhood take a seat at your table once again?