As a child, I used to build a world of Barbie dolls.I would like to spend endless time with me younger sister, faith, create intricate areas, sew small clothes from bright fabrics, make furniture from corks, toothpicks and bottle caps. These early experiences gave me a fascination with design and inspired me to become a designer and artist.So you can imagine how excited I was then @barbie style We got in touch about a dream collaboration. Jungalow designing a room in Barbie’s dream house !!!
Photo courtesy of the amazing Mattel team
We had our first call with the Mattel team (the kindest, most creative bunch!) on a Friday, and then spent the following Monday in their office perusing their archive of vintage Barbie furniture and buying our dream home. did. I brought Aida too! It was unbelievable. The artistry and attention to detail that goes into building (and in some cases sourcing) all things Barbie is truly inspirational.
We had to choose different doll heads, body types, and clothes – oh, clothes!
It’s so cool to see all the Barbie doll heads! Their hair and makeup are always on point!
Isn’t this wardrobe selection fun?! We couldn’t stop cheering and moaning while choosing. It’s too much fun!
Team Jungalow’s Amy (left) found Barbie pants in the size she needed. And Piper the Jungaloo (right) enjoys being Barbie’s stylist for a day.
After that, we went back to Jungalow’s studio and started developing the concept. I gathered some inspired images and rendered a room where you can see Barbie and her friends having a party. The amazing Mattel team brought my concept to life (the photo at the top of this blog post is not photoshopped! It’s real) Barbie doll scale – fabrics and textiles was actually made with our prints, and a tiny little version of my book was also made! Ahh!) And now I want to lounge around with Barbie all day long!
My hope was for Barbie to embrace her personality and create a space surrounded by a kaleidoscope of textures, colors and plants. Just like Faith and I did when we were kids, we salvaged vintage furniture, upcycled it, and reinvented it. But this dream house is more than just a playground. It’s an invitation for Barbie, her friends, and all of us to cultivate our own creativity, celebrate our own uniqueness, and enjoy the magic and fun of unrestricted self-expression.
So let’s play in it, create, and celebrate our inner wild child Djungarious Barbie’s dream home!