Barbie – in flats?! It can't be true... can it?
Thanks to a new 'articulated ankle feature', the much-loved doll has hit the stores wearing flat shoes for the first time in history. And to celebrate the momentous occasion, Barbie has collaborated with UK footwear designer, Sophia Webster, resulting in an entire shoe collection dedicated to the American doll.
Made up of two sports shoes, one flat sandal and three heels (Barbie's gotta have a heel somewhere) Sophia Webster's range includes her famous 'Chiara' sandal with butterly-adorned stilettos. The line also includes three shoe designs for children, modelled on their adult equivalent.
With an advertising campaign featuring Columbian singer/songwriter Kal Uchis, 'Barbie by Sophia Webster' is set to launch in Selfridges London and Manchester and will be available in both the womenswear designer shoe galleries, the childrenswear departments and on Sophia Webster's website.
'Creating a shoe collection for Barbie has always been my dream project,' said Webster of the collaboration, 'but getting to be a part of her embracing flats for the first time made it extra exciting, and deeply personal.
'I love that this concept strikes a balance between dreams and reality – the idea of getting Barbie in some hi-tops and setting her loose in East London instantly appealed.'
The partnership is the next stage of the 'Barbie Fashionista' campaign, a concept which lauds Barbie's diversity. 23 new dolls have been designed, directly in contrast to the blonde-haired, blue-eyed version, originally launched in March, 1959.
Featuring a number of differences, the new toys include a range of facial sculpts, skin tones, eye colours and hair, and celebrate cultural diversity through their outfits as well, following fashion and beauty trends from across the world.
As usual there is a limited edition Barbie to accompany the collection; 'Barbie by Sophia Webster' is very East London 'street', wearing 'Riko' hi-top glitter sneakers (yes, flats).
Elbow our way to them we certainly will, when they officially launch – tomorrow, as a matter of flat.