slade architecture: 'barbie' flagship store, shanghai

‘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

more: photos by iwan baan