After a digital sculpture was created and refined, it made the journey to wax mold. Each wax mold was manually cleaned, sanded, and prepped. Then they were sprayed with silver to conduct electricity. The pieces were then placed in an electroplating tank where a metal mold was made; this became the basis for a rotocast. Doll heads, animals, and other pieces were all created in this way. From there, doll geometry was designed around articulating limbs and pieces.

After a digital sculpture was created and refined, it made the journey to wax mold. Each wax mold was manually cleaned, sanded, and prepped. Then they were sprayed with silver to conduct electricity. The pieces were then placed in an electroplating tank where a metal mold was made; this became the basis for a rotocast. Doll heads, animals, and other pieces were all created in this way. From there, doll geometry was designed around articulating limbs and pieces.

This process started the transformation, and additional Mattel artists worked to explore color swatches for hand-painted skin tones and faces. Hair rooting, the process for developing all the different hairstyles for Barbie, required its own unique application across each doll. Staying true to Ryden’s bespoke artwork frames and presentation style, the packaging for each doll is a work of art. Integrating the storytelling in the paintings, doll design, and graphics, the packaging details abound. These include embossed logos, metallic foils, and bold colors, which carry the graphics across the bottom of the boxes. Laser-precise blister packaging fits the shape of each doll (hello, custom hair), making the entire set worthy of any art collector and/or toy collector’s display. 

This process started the transformation, and additional Mattel artists worked to explore color swatches for hand-painted skin tones and faces. Hair rooting, the process for developing all the different hairstyles for Barbie, required its own unique application across each doll. Staying true to Ryden’s bespoke artwork frames and presentation style, the packaging for each doll is a work of art. Integrating the storytelling in the paintings, doll design, and graphics, the packaging details abound. These include embossed logos, metallic foils, and bold colors, which carry the graphics across the bottom of the boxes. Laser-precise blister packaging fits the shape of each doll (hello, custom hair), making the entire set worthy of any art collector and/or toy collector’s display. 

ALL EYES ON THE ICON

ALL EYES ON THE ICON

Pink is Barbie's signature color. And Pink Pop is the name of the collaboration project. So it stands to reason there's also a limited-edition Pink Pop Barbie that puts the theme into play. Featuring wavy pink hair and a dress adorned with striped sea stars, a heart, jewels, and other iconography, the doll design inside this candy-colored wonderland was inspired by Ryden’s signature style. Additional Ryden-designed surrealist details include a meat-clutch purse, a smiling yak, and a head-shaped flowerpot.

Pink is Barbie's signature color. And Pink Pop is the name of the collaboration project. So it stands to reason there's also a limited-edition Pink Pop Barbie that puts the theme into play. Featuring wavy pink hair and a dress adorned with striped sea stars, a heart, jewels, and other iconography, the doll design inside this candy-colored wonderland was inspired by Ryden’s signature style. Additional Ryden-designed surrealist details include a meat-clutch purse, a smiling yak, and a head-shaped flowerpot.

In a perfectly paired juxtaposition, the Mark Ryden x Barbie at the Surrealist Ball offers a set of Barbie dolls with a dodecahedron atop a geometric pedestal between them. Both dolls feature cropped bangs and wear gowns designed with jewels, universe motifs, and Ryden’s iconography.

In a perfectly paired juxtaposition, the Mark Ryden x Barbie at the Surrealist Ball offers a set of Barbie dolls with a dodecahedron atop a geometric pedestal between them. Both dolls feature cropped bangs and wear gowns designed with jewels, universe motifs, and Ryden’s iconography.

Bee Barbie is everything you’d expect — and plenty of things you wouldn’t — from a doll with this name. Wispy, ethereal wings complement the fuzzy full-length bumblebee-striped faux-fur dress. This visionary outfit is capped by a bolt of yellow that acts as a hood / hair. Goth-inspired makeup lends a moody air to this buzz-worthy pollinator of empowerment.

Bee Barbie is everything you’d expect — and plenty of things you wouldn’t — from a doll with this name. Wispy, ethereal wings complement the fuzzy full-length bumblebee-striped faux-fur dress. This visionary outfit is capped by a bolt of yellow that acts as a hood / hair. Goth-inspired makeup lends a moody air to this buzz-worthy pollinator of empowerment.