During Fall Fashion Week in 2009, about 50 designers contributed to a fashion show by creating a collection of age less looks for one of America’s most recognized symbols: the Barbie doll. While most designers played it safe by creating glamorous looks, one designer decided to throw a curveball. The strappy, all-black, ruffle dress I am critiquing is designed by Erin Fetherston for Barbie’s 50th Anniversary runway show.
The choice of color stands out in this particular atmosphere. Fetherston designed this piece for the Barbie doll; when someone thinks of Barbie, they think pink thoughts, right? The old-school Barbie is a little girl’s introduction to fashion and style. Barbie is feminine, glamorous, and one of the leading definitions of a lady. The dark choice of dress stands out; black is a color known to be edgy and fierce, and of course, businesslike. Not saying that this shade isn’t “girly,” but it is different for this type of icon.
The dark color choice shows how Barbie can be anyone she wants to be, whether it’s the All-American girl next door or a very mysterious, fierce woman. Because this dress is black, it completes the whole puzzle of how a very familiar identity can be changed and played around with. If Fetherston rolled with the Barbie theme and designed the dress in a shade of pink, it would not stand out. Now if Barbie wore this intense dress, she would take a risk at fashion and it would probably work.
(Microcritique)
