'barbie' flagship store, shanghai by slade architecture
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture

new york based firm slade architecture has designed the first ever
barbie flagship store for mattel in shanghai. the store recently
opened coinciding with the icon's 50th anniversary. the 35,000 square foot
store holds the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of
barbie dolls and licensed barbie products, as well as a range of services
and activities for barbie fans and their families.

slade's design encompasses barbie of the past, present and future. for
the facade they combined references to product packaging, decorative arts,
fashion and architectural iconography to create a modern identity for the
store, expressing barbie's cutting-edge fashion sense and history.
the facade is made of two layers: molded, translucent polycarbonate interior
panels and flat exterior glass panels printed with a whimsical lattice frit
pattern.


three story spiral staircase
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture

the central feature is a three-story spiral staircase enclosed by eight hundred
barbie dolls. the staircase and the dolls are the core of the store; everything
literally revolves around barbie.

the staircase links the three retail floors: the women's floor (women's fashion,
couture, cosmetics and accessories). the doll floor (dolls, designer doll gallery,
doll accessories, books). the barbie design center, where girls design their own
barbie is on this floor. the girls floor (girls fashion, shoes and accessories).
the barbie fashion stage, planned and designed by chute gerdeman retail, where
girls take part in a real runway show, is also on this floor.


'barbie' store interior
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture



'barbie' store interior
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' store interior
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' make over room
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' cafe
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' store interior
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' design center
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


'barbie' store entrance
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture


l: construction cover of store r: lobby
image © iwan baan courtesy slade architecture

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photos by iwan baan