Barbie x Stanley Legends Pop-Ups
CREATIVE DIRECTION // ART DIRECTION
As two legends who have stood the test of time, Barbie and Stanley were destined to be besties. Intro, The Barbie x Stanley Legends Pop-Ups: a series of four immersive and original experiences in honor of Barbie’s 65th anniversary.
In the summer of 2024, I joined MKG to lead from the art side. We activated in New York, London, Houston and LA. Each experience was based on a different Barbie Anniversary Legend and her matching Stanley Quencher, bringing fans into the world of the legendary collaboration and celebrating the style and attitude of the era.
NEW YORK CITY
Legends Records
To announce the Barbie x Stanley collection and drive buzz, we created Legends Records: a pink-drenched record store in the heart of Soho, filled with moments of discovery and interactivity for fans to devour. Fans could browse the space complete by genre and decade, encountering stylized vignettes and interactive moments that heroed each of the Collaboration Quenchers.
LONDON
Legends Skateway
We brought the fireworks to London with a Dynamite Barbie Roller Skate party at the iconic Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace. Using the cup art and the classic Dynamite doll as inspiration, we created a bold and beautifully Black retro skate world. Ahead of the event, we took over select tube locations with digital ads to get the word out.
Guests could shop, sip and lace up a pair of skates to show off their moves. We tapped local skate groups to put on performances, hype up the crowd, and encourage attendees to get on the floor.
HOUSTON
Legends Saloon
We took over the beloved Houston dive bar, Neon Boots, to create a Barbie x Stanley western watering hole. Inside the Saloon, guests could get up close and personal with the Howdy Ken Quencher, show us their best line dancing skills and pick up a bandana with their name chain stitched on the spot. To top off the weekend, country music star, Chase Rice, came out to put on an intimate show for VIPs.
LOS ANGELES
Legends Swim Club
In LA we celebrated the doll (and the Quencher) that started it all… Original 1959 Barbie. We transformed a retro Los Angeles hotel into a Chevron-soaked swim club where guests could check out the collab and pick up some glamorous Barbie x Stanley swag.
In the pool at the center of the experience, a troop of synchronized swimmers performed in matching Chevron suits just like Barbie. We treated our new Swim Club members to Barbie’s classic cat eye sunglasses so they could lounge glamorously wherever they are.
Ahead of the event, we took over select billboards along Sunset Boulevard as well as the entire Grove shopping center to generate buzz.
Collaborators
Agency: MKG
CCO: Lauren Austin
2D Design Lead: Connor Linde
3D Design Leads: JR Bruce + Steve Reyez
Motion Design: Alec van Staveren