She may be under a foot tall, but Barbie has inspired and been inspired by the fashion and creative community for six decades. Many designers and stylists have shared that Barbie was their first "client!"

Barbie has collaborated with more than 75 different influencers and served as creative inspiration to more than 150 designers.

• The first designer partnership with the Barbie brand was a collaboration with Oscar de la Renta in 1985.
• Bob Mackie was the first of many famous designers to collaborate with Barbie on a collector doll in 1990.
• In 2009, Barbie partnered with Christian Louboutin to unveil a collection of dolls and shoes – the shoes were available in both Barbie-size and life-size.
• In 2014, Sophia Webster designed a line of flats inspired by the doll’s newly articulated ankles, which expanded her shoe collection.
• Barbie inspired Jeremy Scott’s Moschino Spring 2015 line and launched an exclusive Moschino Barbie doll. Barbie later partnered with Moschino to announce two more doll collaborations.
• Barbie has been made in the likeness of some incredible icons including Karl Lagerfeld and Andy Warhol (shown left).
• One of the most sought-after stylists, Marni Senofonte, known for her work with pop culture’s leading fashion icons, designed the ultimate trend-defining collection for Barbie in 2017.
• As a fashion role model for Barbie, Iris Apfel’s singular style vision, entrepreneurial spirit and independence inspired two “Styled By” dolls in 2018.
• Barbie honored French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in 2018 with three designs chosen from among the 7,000 garments in Musée Yves Saint Laurent’s collection.
• To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the classic Puma Suede sneaker, Barbie added sneaker designer to her resume with her very own pink Puma Suede.
• Barbie painted the world pink 2023 with over 165 marketing and consumer product partners.
• In 2022 Barbie kicked off the year by partnering with luxury fashion house Balmain – mixing Barbie Pink and the nostalgic ‘90s Barbie logo with Balmain’s iconic patterns. Olivier Rousteing was inspired by the Barbie universe and the familiar bright iconography. The collection also introduced the first Barbie NFT’sintroducing three NFTs featuring CGI Barbie avatars dressed head to toe in editorial looks from the capsule collection.  

Here’s a look at what famous fashion designers have said about Barbie as a fashion icon throughout the years:

"Barbie represents a confident and independent woman with an amazing ability to have fun while remaining glamorous."  – Diane von Furstenberg

"Barbie has been a cherished fashion phenomenon for five decades, so it was exciting to be able to dress her in one of my signature gowns."  – Monique Lhuillier

"Barbie perseveres today as a cultural icon; her allure is as broad as it is individualized. Her enchanting essence has allowed generations of women to enter a world of make-believe that knows no boundaries.”  – Vera Wang

"As a little girl, I spent countless hours playing with my Barbie dolls, even designing and sewing one-of-a-kind outfits for the doll. I guess you could say Barbie gave me my start as a designer."  – Cynthia Rowley

"The thing I love most about Barbie, is that she is the ultimate muse, she's worn every style and design imaginable and at the same time she's had every possible profession you can dream of."  – Jeremy Scott

“Barbie is an iconic image which continues to fascinate young women everywhere. As we consider all the positive advances women continue to make in society, Barbie represents that grace and style are also part of what can make a young woman’s life exciting and beautiful.”  – Derek Lam

“Barbie is the quintessential American icon. She represents a woman’s first experience with style, transcending generations and cultures; she holds a special place in the fashion world and is an inspiration to many designers.”  – Tommy Hilfiger (design shown right)