It’s A Barbie World For These 5 Canadian Female-Founded Brands (Win!)

What happens when five Canadian female-founded brands team up with Mattel to celebrate six decades of Barbie fashion? A chic, cross-industry collaboration for the ages!

Marking Barbie’s 65th anniversary, Mattel has unveiled a landmark multi-brand partnership that reimagines the doll’s iconic style through the creative lens of five trailblazing Canadian female founders. This first-of-its-kind collection, launched last month, sees designers Hilary MacMillan, ai, Paris Jewellers Canada, Cheekbone Beauty and Sol Kyst reimagine Barbie’s fashion legacy over six decades, resulting in a dynamic offering that includes eight distinct head-to-toe looks and more than 100 products.

From fashion to accessories, jewelry and beauty, this release celebrates Barbie’s evolution as both a fashion icon and a symbol of empowerment. Each look draws inspo from iconic Barbie dolls, including the 1959 Barbie, 1960s Twist ‘N Turn Barbie, 1970s Superstar Barbie, 1980s Black Barbie, 1980s Totally Crystal Barbie and 1990s Totally Hair Barbie (still in my childhood bedroom!), bringing her style history into the modern age.

“At its core, Barbie has always been about showing the world that you can be anything,” says Jennifer Gileno, head of licensing and retail development at Mattel Canada. “This collection is a testament to that legacy and to what can be achieved when women come together to break barriers in the fashion and beauty industries.”

Diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of this collab, with garments sized from XS to 4X, adjustable accessories, expanded ring sizes and designs that celebrate a broad spectrum of beauty. From Barbie’s signature black-and-white chevron of 1959 to the bold neon shades and textured fabrics of the ’80s and ’90s, the collection stays true to Barbie’s bold aesthetic while elevating it for today.

The designers involved are equally thrilled to lend their creative vision to this iconic project. “When women support women, we all succeed,” says Hilary MacMillan. “I’m so proud to be part of this strong group of women founders who continuously inspire me. Coming together to bring our strengths to the table to create these looks in partnership with Barbie has been a rewarding experience.”

For Hannah Kim, co-founder of ai, the project was nostalgic: “Barbie invokes childhood memories and has brought out our inner child. Harnessing creativity, empowerment and self-expression, we are beyond excited for this special collaboration.”

Chau Liu, co-owner of Paris Jewellers, reflects on Barbie’s influence. “As an immigrant, family-owned company with a 90 per cent female workforce, we are honoured to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration. Barbie inspires us to dream big and reach for the stars.” Jenn Harper, founder of Cheekbone, also highlights the collaboration’s deeper meaning: “[We have] always pushed for meaningful change in representation in the beauty industry. Our collaboration with Barbie showcases that strong message with a global brand—beauty belongs to all, and every face has a story worth celebrating.”

For Meghan Victoria, founder and CEO of Sol Kyst, the collab was deeply empowering. “Barbie teaches us that we can grow up to be anything we want! It’s so special that this collaboration shines a light on Canadian women entrepreneurs paving our path and coming together to honor Barbie’s 65th Anniversary. How iconic!”

The collection is available across all participating brands’ websites with integrated web interfaces, making it easy to shop the entire range of Barbie-inspired looks. More than just a celebration of Barbie’s fashion legacy, this project stands as a powerful reminder of what women in business can achieve when they unite to create something extraordinary. —Noa Nichol

Win! A $1,500+ Barbie 65 Prize Pack!

Congrats Tamara P. of St. Albert, AB, who will receive a $1,500 Barbie 65 Prize Pack including special collab products from all of the brands mentioned above:

• Paris Jewellers Canada The 1959 Hoop Earrings + Necklace
• Sol Kyst Babydoll Glasses
• Hilary MacMillan Blazer + Pants
• Ai Bag + Hair Accessories
• Cheekbone Barbie 65 Makeup

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.