“A plastic tan never fades.”
Barbie has just opened its first dedicated retail store in Shanghai. Comprising of 6 pink levels, it’s a place designed for girls and grown women (the ones with the disposable income) alike to live out their pink dreams.
The massive amount of space means there’s more than enough room for a candy bar, a fashion stage for Barbie runway events, a girl’s clothing zone and a “passport” counter.
Get your hair coiffed, or have a Barbie facial at the day spa. Graze daintily on a pink macaron or cupcake in the 6th floor cafe. Ensure plastic smooth skin with the range of Barbietron make-up.
Merchandise wise, it was all a bit sickly for me. The only exception was a single Patricia Field shirt; a black tee emblazoned with Pat’s name in the Barbie script.
The coolest experience on offer was the Design Centre, where you could custom create a Barbie to suit your tastes. It looked amazing – with a Cher-in-Clueless wardrobe machine. Naturally I was very tempted to participate (electro-indie Barbie?) but despite an English brochure promising me the world, there were a few language barriers. Next time!
To the right is the central staircase, housing hundreds of individual dolls.
Would I recommend it? Yes, if a) you’re a female aged under 10 years old, b) you love pink, or c) you want to see a good example of a brand extended over every single touch-point. If applicable, it’s definitely worth half an hour of your time to visit.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Jealous. I have been a bit of a Barbie collector for a while – that place looks pretty exciting!
This looks terrifying but amazing all at once!
Er.. I’m not a religious girl… but as a lover of all things pink and as someone who can’t resist kitsch plastic brand powerhouses…this very much could possibly be my Mecca!
mm, only lovely for shanghai and all that wonderful architecture. if that building were something else, it would be a cherry blossom. wonderful.
Sarah: Ah I wish I knew, I would have grabbed a little something there for you :)
Becca: Certainly a new experience, hehe.
LJ: Apparently there is a Hello Kitty *castle* around here too! I need to hunt it down, mmm brand shrines.
Pete: Thank you for your comment. Lovely metaphor <3
Just catching up from being swamped, I love this! Wish I could go.
I was wonder if they will sell the barbie make-up they have at the Shanghai store in the USA
I hope I go to Halmkan because it I was a child, I love Barbie and I’m currently mad crazy love Barbie Barbie
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