Nigerian Designer, Mowalola Chosen To Dress Barbie For 60th Anniversary

Anyone who had a Barbie doll growing up was rightfully obsessed with dressing them up in different ways. Now, Vogue has commissioned six young fashion designers to dress the icon in their signature style, with one of them being Nigerian designer, Mowalola Ogunlesi. 

Mowalola launched her eponymous brand nearly two years ago, and has since styled Solange for Dazed Magazine; Skepta’s hazy “Pure Water” video; Nike’s Naija World Cup kit launch; and Grammy-winning rapper, Drake, who was spotted wearing a custom Mowalola jacket. 

Now, for the brand’s latest dose of international acclaim, Mowalola got to dress Barbie in her signature style, which is best described as free-spirited. This certainly translates to Barbie’s latest look – a neon green tie-dye co-ord, which is a part of her S/S20 collection. 

Speaking about her designs and her Barbie to Vogue, Mowalola said: 

“Mine is a world where everyone is free in terms of what they wear, in terms of how they think, and my women aren’t threatened by anyone – they are taking back their power.”

She is a Mowalola superhero – strong, captivating and ready to have a really good time. I want to be wherever she’s going.”

Here’s a photo of the original Mowalola piece: 

(Photo: Vogue/Mowalola)