International fashion icon Barbie^TM turns 50 this year and celebrates in style with five Malaysian designers.

Eric Choong, Khoon Hooi, Dato Lewre Lew, Melinda Looi and Dato Tom Abang Saufi recently followed in the footsteps of Vera Wang, Donna Karan and the likes of many other world renowned fashion designers who had created Barbie inspired haute couture which dazzled the  2009 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York to create couture of their own..

Each creating three Barbie^TM inspired masterpieces embellished with brilliant CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements in celebration of Barbie’s 50 years of timeless splendor, one masterpiece from each designer donned a matching stiletto.

From the three designs created, one special piece accompanied by an exclusive Barbie doll that matched the design was up for auction, allowing those attending the show an exclusive chance to take home these one-of-a kind creations.

“The resulting auction showed generosity true to Barbie ’s sense of style  ended with Melinda Looi’s creation that started a RM8,000 being auctioned off at RM13,ooo to a blonde bombshell and the proceeds goes to Rumah Orang Cacat Taman Megah. Dato Tom Abang Saufi’s sultry off shoulder printed batik number started at RM5,000 and was sold off at RM7,000 to Dato Nancy Yeoh. Khoon Hooi’s design which started at a modest RM3000 was snared at RM5500 and the money will be going to Rumah Nur Salam and Eric Choong’s hot red evening dress  was bought  off at RM5500.” -yetmee

“A silky elegant gown adorned with organza twirls and sizzling CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements décor was my first thought when creating these beautiful pieces,” said Khoon Hooi.

Said Eric Choong:  “I’ve always thought Barbie to be the quintessential woman personifying confidence, and sophistication and I believe my designs will reflect these traits.”

Dato Tom Abang Saufi said of her creations that, “The mere mention of Barbie conjures up images of elaborate ball gowns and all things glamorous hence elements such as CRYSTALLIZED^TM - Swarovski Elements were incorporated into my designs to convey very much the feel of Barbie’s life.”

The elaborate designs were paraded on the magnificent glass table top runaway at Café Stelle, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur by models made up in a mixture of styles to emulate Barbie’s signature looks.

“My fondest memory of Barbie would be when I first saw how my daughters were making little pretty dresses for Barbie to wear… it was great to see a toy inspiring my children to be creative especially at a young age,” revealed Dato’ Lewre Lew.

“I have had a wonderful experience so far, it has been very inspiring. Moreover I am thrilled to be doing it for such a good cause and hence would like to say a big thanks to Mattel for selecting me as part of the celebration!” said designer and mother-of-two Melinda Looi.

A gown by Eric Choong

A white feathered gown by Eric Choong

The dress  that was auctioned off by Eric Choong at RM5,500

One of Khoon Hooi’’s designs

A startling pink number by Khoon Hooi which was auctioned off at RM5500.

Melinda Looi kept to a neutral palate

A dreamy number by Melinda Looi which was auctioned off at RM13,000.

Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi’s creation which came with a doll was auctioned off at RM10,000.

 

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