The “World of Barbie” is not directly linked to the film — out in US theaters on July 21 — but comes amid a blitz of Barbie-themed events, also including a Barbie-themed mansion listed on Airbnb in nearby Malibu.
Rhonda, Lois and Felice, all in their 50s and friends since childhood, travelled to Los Angeles to meet up for a girls’ weekend at “World of Barbie.”
“We’re girls again,” said Lois, posing for photos with her friends in front of the pool slide.
Escapism
The two-story experience also contains a museum tracking Barbie’s career since the first dolls — dressed up in heels and a black-and-white bathing suit — arrived in stores in 1959, and the iconic Dreamhouse.
“The Barbie Dreamhouse is such a staple in so many people’s lives,” said Treadway.
“If you’ve been playing with it since you’re a child, (or) maybe your sibling played with it... it still gives you that feeling of nostalgia.” Another popular spot is a room full of human-size doll boxes, which visitors can enter to pose as movie director Barbie, skater Barbie, explorer Barbie, mermaid Barbie and Hollywood star Barbie.
As well as providing Instagrammable moments, the interactive experience tries to impart an empowering message.
Each box comes with a caption at the bottom, saying “You can be anything you want.”
“Barbie has been an inspiration over so many decades, and to really show people that you can be whatever you want,” said Treadway.
“Love who you are, don’t be afraid of who you are, you can be anything — she was at the forefront of teaching that, and it stood the test of time.”
—AFP
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