French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac has reimagined one of the most recognizable creations of his career. He has created miniature versions of his iconic coat made from plush teddy bears for Barbie and Ken. The new dolls are called Bearbie and will be officially unveiled on October 3 during Paris Fashion Week.

De Castelbajac first presented the original coat in 1986. It was more than just a striking designer piece — it was also a statement against the use of real fur. Over the years, the design became one of the French designer’s most recognizable creations.

Over the course of nearly four decades, the coat has been worn by numerous celebrities. Among its famous fans were Diana Ross, Pharrell Williams, Drake and LL Cool J. Two years ago, the design was given a new interpretation in collaboration with Vetements.

Now the iconic silhouette has moved far beyond the world of adult fashion — it has been scaled down to fit Mattel’s dolls.

«When I was a child, I played war with little toy soldiers. Now I’m 76 and I play with Barbie», de Castelbajac told WWD.

For Barbie, the designer created an especially colorful look. She wears a miniature version of the coat covered in multicolored plush teddy bears, high denim boots and a T-shirt dress decorated with graffiti.

The boots have a story of their own, too. According to the designer, they reference the period when he collaborated with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. The tiny Barbie look therefore brings together several important chapters from de Castelbajac’s creative biography.

Ken was given a more understated version. For him, the designer left the coat without its colorful decoration and paired it with baggy jeans and sneakers. In another version, the coat comes in white, making the look considerably more minimalist than Barbie’s vibrant outfit.

The name of the new dolls — Bearbie — is a play on words: the English word «bear» was added to Barbie. The same motif was carried over onto the packaging. It features de Castelbajac’s signature bright colors, while the final letter in the name Barbie has been replaced with the image of a plush teddy bear’s head.

For the designer, the collaboration also has a personal meaning. He dedicated the new doll to his seven-year-old daughter, Eugénie.

Photo: Instagram @jcdecastelbajac

Mattel has released a new collectible Barbie doll inspired by Marilyn Monroe to mark the 100th anniversary of her birth. The doll recreates one of the Hollywood icon’s most famous looks — the outfit Monroe wore while performing «Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend» in «Gentlemen Prefer Blondes».

Barbie wears a vibrant pink dress with a large bow at the back, long gloves and statement jewelry adorned with sparkling «diamonds». Monroe’s signature hairstyle completes the look. Her 1953 appearance in the outfit went on to become one of the most recognizable moments in Hollywood history. The original costume, designed by William Travilla, can be seen this year in an exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

«We created this doll as a tribute to Marilyn, drawing inspiration from the pink satin gown and diamonds she wore in the film», said Robert Best, Vice President and Creative Director at Mattel.

The new Barbie, however, celebrates more than Marilyn Monroe’s style. Mattel also highlights her legacy as an artist, entrepreneur and woman who was ahead of her time. The doll was created in collaboration with The Estate of Marilyn Monroe, LLC.

This is not the first Barbie inspired by Monroe. Mattel has been drawing on her legacy since the 1990s, and the new release is the seventh doll dedicated to the Hollywood icon.

The collectible Barbie Signature Marilyn Monroe Doll went on sale on August 18, priced at $81.

Photo: Instagram @mattelcreations, @barbie

Mattel has unveiled a new collector Barbie dedicated to legendary American singer Whitney Houston.

The doll’s look was inspired by one of Houston’s most iconic stage and music-video outfits – the memorable ensemble she wore in the 1987 video for «I Wanna Dance With Somebody». The song went on to become one of the biggest hits of the singer’s career and earned her a Grammy Award for «Best Female Pop Vocal Performance».

The doll is priced at $60 and is already available for purchase from Amazon and Walmart. The set also includes a microphone and a special stand for it.

According to Variety, Mattel worked on the collector Barbie in collaboration with Pat Houston – the late singer’s sister-in-law and the person responsible for managing her legacy. Music company Primary Wave Music also joined the project.

Photo: Mattel

Mattel has unveiled a new Barbie inspired by Miley Cyrus. The singer was personally involved in the design process and revealed that having her own Barbie had been a childhood dream.

According to Cyrus, Barbie has always held a special place in her life. As a child, she loved braiding her dolls’ hair and creating new looks for them. Today, she still carefully preserves her personal Barbie collection, keeping every doll in its original box.

«Barbie is a part of my life that I’ll never outgrow because she evolves and grows alongside me. Holding a doll created in my likeness is an incredibly special and symbolic moment – it feels as though the circle has finally come full», Miley Cyrus wrote on social media.

The new Barbie draws inspiration from the singer’s stage look in the music video «Golden Burning Sun», featured in the musical film «Something Beautiful». The doll is dressed in an exclusive Alaïa ensemble that faithfully recreates Miley’s outfit from the video.

The Miley Cyrus Barbie is now available on Mattel’s official website. The collectible doll is priced at $60.

Photo: Instagram @barbie

To mark International Women’s Day, the American toy manufacturer Mattel has unveiled the first «Barbie Dream Team». The collection features dolls inspired by women who have become role models in various fields. Representing Germany in this lineup is one of the most successful performers of German pop and schlager music – Helene Fischer.

«For me, this is an incredible honor, and I feel immense pride that a Barbie doll has been dedicated to me and that I have become part of the «Barbie Dream Team»», the singer wrote on Instagram.

The artist accompanied the post with a photo in which she holds the doll created in her likeness. The blonde Barbie, with long hair, is dressed in a sparkling blue stage gown and holds a microphone.

«I want to tell every girl: listen to your heart and trust your intuition, because the answers are already within you. Believe in yourself, stay true to who you are, and follow your own path», Fischer shared, adding that she has always lived by this principle.

Helene Fischer is one of Germany’s biggest music stars and a multiple winner of the Echo Award. Record-breaking album sales, numerous accolades, large-scale television projects, and sold-out arena and stadium tours have allowed her to open new horizons for German-language pop music.

Last summer, the singer announced the birth of her second daughter. This year, she is planning to embark on a major open-air tour.

According to Mattel, the Barbie created in the image of Helene Fischer also serves as a tribute to the 20th anniversary of her stage career, which is being celebrated this year. Since her breakthrough in the mid-2000s, she has become one of the most successful and influential artists in the German-speaking world.

Alongside Fischer, the «Barbie Dream Team» includes tennis legend Serena Williams and research astronaut Kellie Gerardi (USA), Mexican racing driver Regina Sirvent Alvarado, British footballer Chloe Kelly, Polish mountaineer Zofia Skubis, Australian surfer Stephanie Gilmore, and Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana.

«Barbie has always championed the idea that girls can achieve anything – from astronauts to CEOs. Barbie expands the boundaries of what is possible and redefines perceptions of what can be achieved», said Nathan Baynard, Vice President and Head of Barbie at Mattel, in a press release.

Since the brand’s debut in 1959, Barbie has honored more than 100 women from different fields who have made a significant contribution to positive change in the world. These figures – symbols of diversity and openness – inspire girls to dream big and believe in their own potential.

The «Dream Team», consisting of seven Barbie dolls, will go on sale in autumn 2026.

Photo: Instagram @helenefischer

Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, renowned in the fashion world as creators of unique Barbie doll collections, tragically died in a car accident in northern Italy. Paglino was 52 years old, and Grossi was 55.

The crash occurred on the A4 motorway between Turin and Milan. The designers were traveling in a Peugeot 3008. Also in the car were banker Amodio Valerio Giurni and his wife, Silvia Moramarco. All four died from injuries sustained in a head-on collision. The 82-year-old driver of the other vehicle was also killed. A woman was hospitalized at Niguarda Hospital in Milan and remains in critical condition in intensive care.

Paglino and Grossi were the founders of the Italian brand Magia 2000, which had been creating exclusive collectible Barbie dolls since 1999 in collaboration with Mattel. Their work gained worldwide recognition, especially for original Barbie designs inspired by stars such as Lady Gaga, Cher, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Frida Kahlo.

Among their most recent creations was a Marilyn Monroe doll dressed in a costume inspired by the aesthetic of Andy Warhol.

Following news of the tragedy, Mattel expressed deep sorrow:

«The passing of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi is a great loss to the entire Barbie community. Their artistry, talent, and boundless dedication inspired fans around the world. Their spirit will live on in every doll they created.»

Photo: Instagram @barbie, @magia2000