It was expected for quite some time, there were even preorders from dealers available, but we had not seen any photos of the Barbie Star Wars dolls. But now they have arrived, with the doll’s already available to preorder at the official Barbie website and Amazon. They were inspired by original concept art from Star Wars: A New Hope. Robert Best, the designer of the three doll Star Wars™ X Barbie® Collection puts a high-fashion twist on the iconic characters. The official Barbie blog had an exclusive interview with Robert Best about his love for Star Wars, design challenges, and his experience in bringing this new collection to life.
What was particularly exciting or unique about this collaboration for you?
The unique aspects of this come from the collaboration of two unique icons that truly stand alone. Barbie and Star Wars are cultural phenomena like no others and so it’s exciting to bring these two worlds together. I also think it might be an unexpected collaboration and I love that.
The character of R2-D2 is instantly recognizable. What are some of the more subtle ways you integrated elements of the droid's design into the doll’s fashion?
Barbie doll’s hair and make-up firstly are a fun, subtle nod to the signature shapes and colors that fans of R2-D2 will recognize. Her belt is a very specific R2-D2 element that immediately stands out. The silver lining of the puffer vest is also a nice detail.
With the Leia-inspired doll, how did you approach the task of designing a look that’s fresh, yet honors the original, since the movie costume and hairstyle are so indelibly iconic?
With the look inspired by Princess Leia, I knew that keeping the signature elements would be important and the challenge was making them different enough where it didn’t feel like a costume or a strict recreation. I also wanted to make sure Leia's confidence shined through. I took the hairstyle (that might be one of the most recognizable of all time) and added braids and volume as well as lowering the placement. For the gown I really wanted to amp up the glamour but still keep it relatively clean & simple. We created a stunning white gown with dramatic cape-like sleeves, highlighted with the silver corset belt, necklace and cuffs adding a cool touch of shine and texture.
Darth Vader’s movie costume is actually a suit of life-supporting armor and cybernetics. How did that fact change, enhance, and/or limit your approach to the doll’s couture design?
While these details are interesting and relevant to the characters in the narrative related to the films, when you're creating a look “inspired by,” the purpose is to capture the essence of the character and include notable details. Then, it becomes more about what the costume and its narrative purpose represents emotionally, and finding a way to convey that through fashion.
What do you think fans of Star Wars and Barbie will be most excited about?
As a fan of both myself, my hope is that fans will share the excitement and joy that I had when creating these dolls from this unique and amazing collaboration. For me personally, this was definitely a dream collaboration and I hope that comes through to the fans.
Below you can see each doll with the details from the Barbie website plus the official description. The $100.00 price for each is a bit steep, but not unusual for collector dolls with this kind of packaging - the boxes look amazing. For this price level though, they should have had articulation (just imagine the posing!) and some of the accessories could ave been made in better material. They will be available on the 18th of November. More comments on each doll below.
Star Wars™ R2D2 x Barbie® Doll
Ages: Adult Collector
$100.00
PRE-ORDER
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019
SKU #: GHT79
The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. A resourceful astromech droid, skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot’s assistant, R2-D2 showed great bravery in rescuing his masters and their friends from many perils. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll captures the lovable droid’s look in a geometric ensemble with a dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights. A vibrant blue ponytail and “radar eye” detail complete the look. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.
Label: Gold Label®
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 8/13/2019
Included with doll: Jacket, gloves, Top, Skirt, tights
Eyelashes: Painted
Fashion: Dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)
Doll Stand: Yes
Facial sculpt: BCP92
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"
She’s the hip, young one of the trio, fittingly for the character she is inspired from. The use of the elements of R2D2’s construction is imaginative and creative, even with her make up and hair. The bag is a hint for the other droid, C3PO; smart, but I would have loved to see a doll inspired by that one. Maybe later on - imagine another trio with dolls inspired by C3PO, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. I also love the box design. It immediately brings the film sets to mind and can be displayed open or closed.
Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® Doll
Ages: Adult Collector
$100.00
PRE-ORDER
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019
SKU #: GHT80
The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Once a heroic Jedi Knight, Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force, became a Sith Lord, and led the Empire’s eradication of the Jedi Order. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Darth Vader’s Sith armor silhouette in a head-to-toe shiny-black ensemble. Metallic details at her collar and waist, dark glasses and an emblematic black cape finish the look. Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.
Label: Gold Label®
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 8/13/2019
Fashion: Shiny-black peplum top, panelled pencil skirt and knee-high boots
Fashion Sewn On?: Yes
Doll Stand: Yes
Eyelashes: Painted
Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)
Facial sculpt: N6599
Included with doll: Glasses, Choker, Holster, Corset, boots, clutch, Doll Stand
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"
They have to have a female Vader in the new films ASAP! This is incredible: the styling and fashion are gorgeous and fit the character inspiration perfectly. My only peeve is with her sunglasses: they should have resembled the iconic Vader face mask a bit more. The helmet hair help a lot though. Superb. Anna Wintour has found a match!
Princess Leia Star Wars x Barbie® Doll
Ages: Adult Collector
$100.00
PRE-ORDER
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019
The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Princess Leia Organa was one of the Rebel Alliance’s greatest leaders, fearless on the battlefield and dedicated to ending the tyranny of the Empire. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Princess Leia’s iconic look in an elegant white gown with dramatic, floor-length sleeves. Details include a silvery peplum belt, cuff jewelry and an up-do inspired by her signature bun hairstyle. Star Wars™ Princess Leia x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.
Label: Gold Label®
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 8/13/2019
Included with doll: Necklace, cuffs, belt, shoes, clutch, doll stand
Eyelashes: Painted
Fashion: White gown with silver peplum belt
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Body Type: Model Muse (Double bent arms)
Doll Stand: Yes
Facial sculpt: DYX39 Collector Size Millie (Closed Mouth)
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"
What a beautiful tribute to Carrie Fisher and Leia Organa. I love how it references the original costume and styling from the first film, while transforming it into a high fashion look. If only the boots were not moulded plastic.
© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All information, interview and photos courtesy of Mattel.