Barbie and FAO Schwarz Unveil ''styled by me Barbie'' Doll Boutique

Mattel and leading specialty toy retailer FAO Schwarz will open “styled by me™ Barbie® doll,” a 1,500-square-foot, one-of-a-kind retail experience at the retailer’s legendary Fifth Avenue flagship store, where girls can customize their own Barbie® doll. Aspiring fashionistas can now join the exclusive list of more than 60 celebrated designers who have dressed Barbie® doll, including Anna Sui, Badgley Mischka and Diane von Furstenberg.

The moment they arrive, girls of all ages will be captivated by two large Barbie® doll styling stations, complete with eight interactive touch screens that guide girls through a step-by-step design process to personally select a doll, fashions, accessories, a doll case and even a gift for themselves. The possibilities are nearly limitless as girls can choose from among seven Barbie® dolls and friends featuring different skin tones and hair colors and styles, as well as from a “closet full” of runway and real world-inspired fashions and accessories to create highly-personalized Barbie® dolls.

After styling out their Barbie® dolls, girls can debut their newly styled doll in a mini “fashion show,” in which each customized Barbie® doll will appear from behind a screen, “walk” down the miniature working runway and, ultimately, strike a pose for her audience. Like any premier fashion show, two large screens on both sides of the runway announce each girl’s newly styled Barbie® doll using fun animations and music. styled by me™ Barbie®” dolls will be available for an average retail price starting at $65.

“Barbie has always been on the forefront of reflecting cultural and fashion trends, and today we combine fashion and technology for the first experience of its kind for girls,” said Richard Dickson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel. “With styled by me we’ve created an unparalleled retail experience based on the rich fashion heritage of the Barbie brand and the personalization and customization that today’s girls love.”

“For nearly 150 years, FAO Schwarz has provided families with memorable, enchanting shopping experiences, and we’re thrilled to open the styled by me Barbie boutique, designed specifically for today’s generation of girls,” said Ed Schmults, Chief Executive Officer, FAO Schwarz. “styled by me is the ultimate celebration of our long-standing relationship with Mattel and Barbie and a prime example of our joint commitment to bring fresh, new ways to bring children’s dreams to life.”