170 Blonde Ambition
Above: It takes fifteen fine artists to work on Barbie doll's face, using water-based acrylics and tiny sable brushes. Every colour used is applied in thin "washes" to prevent obvious brush marks; as such, the entire process can take up to three hours. See the rest of the process here.
24 August 2009- Life imitates art. When I got dressed today, I was unknowingly paying homage to the world's favourite blonde: Barbie Millicent Roberts.
After all, the famous doll favours the colour pink, relishes wearing flirty skirts, has a preference for pointy-toed shoes, and is never one to shy away from pricking her finger just to wear a ring.
As beloved muse too to many fashion designers, it is no wonder that Barbie's clothes are - generally - beautiful, stylish and on trend. Over-sized bows have infiltrated the fashion consciousness recently. In my asymmetrical, half-bow blouse, I do Barbie proud by keeping up with the times, yet without losing myself in a crowd of insipid, gift-wrapped clones...
No clothes horse is complete without an extensive collection of accessories, and Barbie's own ranges from elegant flower brooches, quirky scissors charm necklaces, printed charmeuse scarves to glamourous sunshades. Here are my finishing touches to my Barbie-inspired look today.
I have photographed my pearl ring against Beatrix Potter's illustrated Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher. In this scene Mr. Jeremy the frog had just been pricked by little Jack Sharp the stickle-back. While he sucks on his sore fingers disconsolately, I drop my pearl ring over his hands so that it looks as though he has just found a pearl somewhere.
Against the northern skies in Summer, a silver dove [pendant] takes flight. In its claws, it bears a pearl - perhaps that is a trick of the light. Overhead, a midnight sun illuminates its journey. Picture of scenery taken from the brochure of The Other Side, a magical resort on the roof of the world in Norway's northern stretches. Read more about the resort here.
Make no mistake, Barbie loves Disney. But that doesn't call for a transplant of Mickey Mouse's ears onto her head. As this dainty watch shows, proclaiming one's love for Mickey and Minnie can be understated with style. Of course, being from Disney, this watch is also meant for the young at heart. Each little individual Mickey head on the straps of the watch can slide and twirl around along the straps. It's a delightful, whimsical detail.
Since she's made to have perpetually tilted feet, it is no surprise that Barbie largely takes to wearing high heels half of the time. My choice of flats today are perhaps the only thing failing to faithfully portray the pop culture icon.
pink asymmetrical bow blouse - BYSI
grey pinstripe skirt last worn here - made by mum
bird pearl necklace - South Korea via Clare
pearl ring last worn here - mum's
Minnie Mouse watch - gift from Big Aunt
nude pointy ballet flats last worn here - prettyFIT