![\"\"](\"http:\/\/fashionresourcecentre.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Pandora.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nfig. 1 Pandora doll dressed in 18th<\/sup> century fashion from the Victoria and Albert Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n After the devastation wrought by the Nazi\u2019s in the second World War, the rebuilding of Paris and France\u2019s economy was aided with the help of many fashion houses. Lucien Lelong, president of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and members of the organization, as well as supporters of French art and culture conceived the Theatre de la Mode. This exhibition consisted of more than 200, one-third size Pandoras clothed in the latest styles by designers such as Lelong, Jacques Fath, Nina Ricci, Worth, Hermes, Lanvin, Balenciaga etc. The Pandoras were staged in a series of artist designed sets showing the fashionable dolls in various scenes throughout Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The dolls were not only attired in the latest fashions of 1945 but were completely accessorized with hairstyles, millinery, jeweller, handbags and shoes. So complete were they, according to Lorraine McConaghy, that \u201cthe buttons did up, zippers zipped and tiny handbags came complete with miniature compacts and wallets (Museum).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n fig. 2 Set design with dolls from Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Mode<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n fig. 3, 4, 5, from Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de la Mode<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The exhibition premiered at the Louvre and then travelled throughout Europe visiting London, Barcelona Stockholm and Copenhagen. It travelled to the United States in 1946 and following an exhibit at the de Young Museum in San Francisco was eventually stored in San Francisco\u2019s City of Paris department store. The collection has been at the Maryhill Museum of Art in Portland, Oregon ever since. Each year a small number of the dolls are displayed in rotation (Museum). This production re-opened the doors of Parisian couturiers and the world returned to haute couture fashions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A new fashion icon in doll size debuted on March 9 1959. Barbara Millicent Roberts aka Barbie was introduced to the world by the Mattel toy company. Named after the daughter of Mattel co-founder Ruth Handler, Barbie was launched into her place in the fashion world. She was and has often been a topic of controversy because of her overtly feminized appearance. And yet, she has also been used to inspire young children to dream. Her occupations have ranged from astronaut to doctor to pilot and even presidential candidate. She has, independently amassed mansions, sports cars and a wardrobe second to none.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She has also been the inspiration for full size fashions. On the occasion of Barbie\u2019s 50th<\/sup> anniversary in 2009 Toronto fashion designer and Seneca College professor David Dixon was approached to participate in the celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had the opportunity to interview David about this experience and he provided these insights to the collaboration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mattel wanted to do a fashion show, but I saw it being bigger. Alongside with my brother Glenn Dixon, we suggested that we partner with The Hudson\u2019s Bay as an outlet for the collection and her furniture that my brother Glenn designed. We were able to set up a meeting with new President of The Hudson\u2019s Bay, Ms. Bonnie Brooks, and all senior directors to present our initiative. I showed 7 initial looks to demonstrate that it could be a contemporary lifestyle brand and wearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was successful. Barbie by David Dixon was to open Fashion Week and sold exclusively through The Hudson\u2019s Bay. Glenn\u2019s Furniture would also be sold by special order. We also suggested that we establish a Barbie pop-up shop that housed toys, accessories, home furnishings, t-shirts, etc\u2026 Glenn also designed the interior of the pop-up working with The Hudson\u2019s Bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What was supposed to be a one-year, 2 season commitment turned into 2.5 years with multiple deliveries. It was successful, but she was not 50 anymore, so they asked me to introduce another line, The Little Black Dress, to replace the Barbie Brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The collections were always inspired by Barbie. However, the clothes were for women who had an affection for her. All the garments were lined in a signature Barbie lining, and for me a more playful side. We also would include her iconic zebra print bathing suit in prints that translate into soft dressing. The only request from Mattel was for me to use a particular pantone colour, PMS219 \u201cBarbie Pink.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was an amazing experience, and I was honoured to take on the collaboration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are also honoured at Seneca College, not only for our students to be mentored by Professor David Dixon but by his donation of some of the garments from this iconic collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the past when I have asked students what caused them to enter a fashion program many said they had started by playing with fashion dolls like Barbie. For many of our inspiring, young fashion designers dolls, whether paper or 3D, provided endless opportunities for creative role playing. They may have imagined themselves as grown up versions of the dolls or day dreamed about becoming famous fashion designers. Their doll models often fostered a love of sketching fashions or may have been the impetus to learn to sew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The role of dolls in fashion continues today. When retailers use mannequins to demonstrate the latest fall\/winter\/spring\/summer fashions they are using the \u201cPandora\u201d in much the same way as they were used historically. The vignettes in retail windows are there not only to advertise the product but in some instances educate the viewer about the intended or best use of that product. The accessories added as well as the backdrops and props may inspire the potential customer to assemble their fashion look in an original manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next time you see a mannequin look for some of these hidden talents in the modern Pandora.<\/p>\n\n\n\n References<\/p>\n\n\n\n Batterberry, M., & Batterberry, A. (1982). Fashion: The Mirror of History<\/em>. Greenwich House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before Anna Wintour? the pandora doll<\/em>. THATMuse. (2020, April 2). Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https:\/\/thatmuse.com\/2019\/11\/08\/before-anna-wintour-the-pandora-doll\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fine art in Southwest Washington<\/em>. Maryhill Museum of Art. (2022, February 11). Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https:\/\/www.maryhillmuseum.org\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n Goodnow, C. (2011, March 19). Mohai fashion exhibit offers glimpse into the history of postwar Paris<\/em>. seattlepi.com. Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https:\/\/www.seattlepi.com\/lifestyle\/article\/MOHAI-fashion-exhibit-offers-glimpse-into-the-1198121.php<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hsu, Judy. \u201cMohai Exhibit Spotlights Tiny Fashion Treasures from War Torn Paris.\u201d https:\/\/archive.seattletimes.com\/archive\/?date=20060316&slug=mohaifash16. Accessed 28 Feb. 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holland, Brynn, (March 9, 2019). Barbie Through the Ages. Retrieved February 28, 2022, from, https:\/\/www.history.com\/news\/barbie-through-the-ages<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/fashionresourcecentre.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Theatre-de-la-Mode.png\")
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