Barbie Shanghai

Barbie Shanghai was the first Mattel Barbie flagship store in the world.^[1] Located in Shanghai, China,^[2] this 35,000-square-foot (3,300 m²) store held the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of Barbie dolls and licensed Barbie products.^{[citation needed]} It ceased activities in March 2011.^[3]

Construction

Mattel worked with BIG, the branding and design division of Ogilvy & Mather, to develop the creative concept, identify a location, explore featured activities and identify partners. Slade Architecture led the design including the exterior, interior, fixtures and furnishings.

Services

Spa treatments, hair and nail services, and skincare products were available. The Design Center allowed girls to become a fashion designer in a 30-minute experience of the steps of the design process (inspiration, concept, prototypes, fabrics etc.). In the end, girls could sit down at a computer to create their own doll. In the Fashion Runway, girls could experience a runway show by getting dressed in fashions from world-renowned designers. The Barbie Cafe was a collaboration with Australian celebrity chef David Laris. The bar had karaoke, a DJ, and pink martinis, known as Barbietinis. Barbie chocolates were available, also created by the Australian celebrity chef David Laris.

References

External links

• Lim, Louisa (March 6, 2009). "Mattel Hopes Shanghai Is A Barbie World". NPR.
• Liu, Ling Woo (January 29, 2009). "Botox for Barbie". Time. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009.
• Fong, Mei (January 13, 2009). "Mattel banking on Shanghai for Barbie future". The Wall Street Journal.
• Branigan, Tania (January 9, 2009). "Barbie at 50: the blonde ambition beneath the hard exterior". The Guardian.
• Zhang, Michelle (January 1, 2009). "Barbie store for living dolls". Shanghai Daily.
• Casey, Nicholas (December 24, 2008). "Building an Edgier Barbie to Revive Franchise Sales". The Wall Street Journal.

31°13′15″N 121°28′06″E / 31.22089°N 121.4684°E / 31.22089; 121.4684