Barbie dolls, fabric
This project is not affiliated with Mattel in any way.
Adult doll collectors engage with their favorite pieces in fascinating ways. Many, for instance, bring comfort dolls to hospital stays or therapy sessions. Some men begin collecting later in life because they were not allowed to play with Barbies as children. Dolls often fulfill emotional needs that are frequently, though not exclusively, rooted in childhood experiences. Barbie, the world's most famous doll, is special in that regard because of her ubiquity: Specifically because she is not unique, people find community in their shared love for the mass-produced fashion doll, comparing and matching their experiences with one another.
Mattel markets many Barbies with the slogan "You can be anything," a message aimed more at parents than children — encouraging the idea that a doll dressed as a medical professional might inspire their daughter to become a doctor. However, children often experience their toys differently, way beyond simple role models or aspirational figures: they talk to their dolls, treat them like friends, re-enact social situations, and confide in these miniature plastic adults.
This project engages with the more abstract emotional needs that dolls can address — needs that are not officially covered by Mattel's product lines. To do this, I reinstalled a 1990s fashion design software originally intended for Barbie — Barbie Cool Looks Fashion Designer — aiming to stay as close as possible to the visual and material language of Mattel's official products. Using the program, I created a series of seven Barbies titled VOID, IF, NO, STOP, HELP, FIX, and HOW/WHO.
The sewing patterns for the dolls' outfits are freely available on this website. The dolls' faces have been deliberately removed to avoid the illusion of eye contact — playing with the idea that these figures are, in essence, impotent helpers and inspirations: trusted by collectors and those attached to their childhood dolls, even though they cannot truly respond.