Feminists Protest Barbie ‘Dreamhouse’ In Berlin

by Libby Zay on

Barbie’s Eurotrip hit a roadblock at its first stop in Germany, where an activist group caused quite a production at the opening of a touring Barbie “Dreamhouse.” CNN is reporting a group of left-wing feminists, Femen, protested the opening of a 27,000-square-foot pink mansion earlier today in Berlin, arguing the attraction puts the sexism and shallow materialism they believe Barbie symbolizes on display.

Above is a picture of one of the bare-breasted protesters in front of the Dreamhouse. An inscription across her torso reads “Life in Plastic is Not Fantastic,” and – in case you can’t tell – she’s holding up a burning cross with a charred Barbie doll attached to it. Protesters were arrested, but the movement led to an “Occupy Barbie Dreamhouse” page on Facebook, which already has thousands of “likes.”

Located off the shopping district of Alexanderplatz, the life-sized mansion is full of Barbie-related fashions, furniture and accessories. It will be open to the public until August 25, at which point it’s slotted to move on to other cities throughout Europe. A Dreamhouse also opened inside a Florida shopping mall last week.

There’s A Barbie Hotel Room In Costa Rica, And It’s Like, Totally Cool

by McLean Robbins on

It’s pink and girly and awesome! We jest. But Barbie lovers disappointed that the new Royal Caribbean cruise packages are just for kids can now get their fill of the blonde doll’s signature color with a new themed room at the DoubleTree by Hilton in San Juan, Costa Rica.

It isn’t the first time Hilton has partnered with Barbie – themed rooms pop up around the world, generally for a few months at a time, including hotels in Toronto, Argentina and Korea.

A bit at odds with the hotel’s modern hacienda style, the room is nevertheless sure to delight Barbie lovers of all ages with its pink-on-pink-on-pink decor and Barbie-themed accessories.

The best part? The room is pretty cheap, starting at just $109 a night with breakfast for two kids. The room attaches to a King-bedded room, perfect for parents with children. To reserve, guests must call the hotel directly.

What do you think? Would you stay here? Personally, we’d prefer the Barbie Suite at The Palms in Las Vegas.

Calling Barbie Lovers: There’s A Cruise For You

by McLean Robbins on

It’s a little girl’s dream (and the nightmare of many adults) – a Barbie-themed cruise. Thankfully, the pink and white Dream House hasn’t taken over an entire ship, but a dedicated area of the youth program on Royal Caribbean ships beginning in January 2013 and rolling out on the entire line by March of next year.

The partnership includes staterooms decorated in Barbie style (pink, naturally), a “Tiaras and Teacups” party, a mermaid dance class, a fashion-designer workshop and a special fashion show where the girls (or boys) can perform their new dance routine and show off their Barbie-inspired duds.

Of course, it isn’t cheap – at $349 a person, the experience can cost nearly as much as the price of a cruise.

What do you think? Is a Barbie experience fun for young women or is it continuing to foster an unrealistic expectation of what young women should aspire to look like? We’re inclined to think that it is lighthearted fun, but leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Shanghai’s House of Barbie closes; tour of China to follow

by Laurel Miller on

That Barbie really gets around. California-based Mattel’s best-selling toy has moved out of her shuttered Shanghai flagship store, “House of Barbie,” and is hitting the road. “I have gone on a tour of China!” says a cartoon Barbie on the store’s website. Apparently, the doll has itchy feet, and is road tripping–no doubt luxuriously–on a “Barbie Pink Bus Tour.”

The six-story flagship store opened in 2009, on Barbie’s 50th anniversary. Located in Shanghai’s commercial epicenter on Huaihai Road, the pink palace contained a spa, cafe, design studio, fashion stage, and a vast array of Barbies and Barbie products.

The store closed Monday, says The Jakarta Post, after the world’s biggest toy maker released a statement stating its plans to expand its customer base across China. Despite Shanghai’s being the hub of the country’s fashion industry, sales of the sartorially-savvy doll were disappointing. It seems parents are more likely to spend money on extracurricular activities for their children than on spendy Western dolls.

Safe travels, Babs.

[Photo credit: Flickr user Tinker*Tailor loves Lalka]

Daily Pampering: Be it Ever So Barbie, at Hôtel Plaza Athénée

by Melanie Nayer on

Forget the corvette, this Barbie is heading to Paris for some serious luxury travel.

Grab your Barbie bag, Barbie clothes and Barbie iPod, and hop your Barbie plane to Paris for a stay in ultimate Barbie luxury. For the first time in France, Hôtel Plaza Athénée on Avenue Montaigne is offering a Barbie-inspired stay for guests. Plaza Athénée will accessorize two guest rooms to resemble a little girl’s dream in Barbie’s favorite colors (shades of pink!) with exclusively signed furniture and accessories galore. In addition to the Barbie room, guests ages three to 16 will receive a very special Barbie-inspired gift.

The Barbie rooms will only be available from August 6 through September 2, 2010. Choose from one of two family packages: one Barbie room and connecting deluxe room for parents, from 1,600€ (about $1,900 USD); one Barbie room and connecting deluxe suite from 2,500€ (approximately $3,000).

I think even Barbie would give up her Dream House for this Parisian escape.

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