Barbie by Tookata People

Last year I was given the opportunity to work on a very unique project involving Barbie. Mattel had approached Tookata People earlier in the year with the idea of working together. The result is a line of leather accessories, apparel and jewellery to be released in the spring of 2009, Barbies 50th anniversary year.
The line is inspired by the original 1959 swimsuit Barbie and shows my interpretation of her in the classic black and white zebra striped strapless swimsuit and  big Jackie O style white sunglasses. I produced 2 images for this colleciton, one pulling out the black and white stripes and using them as a back drop and one poolside. Mattel have been fantastic in allowing an illustrator to take Barbie and interpret her in a style that’s as different as it is from the original. In my research for the project i read how the original Barbie had caused controversy on it’s launch in 1959 by moving away from the classic childs doll form of the oversized head and big eyes. It’s been interesting for me receivng feedback from Barbie fans who now see her with the oversized head and big eyes. Fashions shift and how this interpretation of Barbie is received is yet to be seen but just to be a part of this on her 50th anniversary and add my little bit to the pot has been a real buzz.