Ambush's Yoon Ahn Designs Humanoid Barbie 'Prototype 001' for Mattel
Yoon Ahn, the creative mind behind Ambush, has partnered with Mattel to launch an exciting new Barbie doll called Prototype 001. This unique doll features a blonde hime hairstyle, a pink headset, silver armor, and a cyborg cat companion, drawing inspiration from anime, sci-fi, and the work of contemporary artist Mariko Mori. Ahn was approached by Mattel three years ago and aimed to capture her brand’s imaginative essence without sticking to traditional fashion norms, creating what she considers the first humanoid Barbie. The design process led her to think about the future of toys and the positive role of technology in kids' lives. Ahn views the rise of humanoid robots as a chance for new opportunities. This launch comes on the heels of a trend of designer Barbie collaborations, following the promotional events of the 2023 film and Y2K-inspired releases.
Key facts
- Yoon Ahn, Ambush designer, collaborated with Mattel on a Barbie doll.
- The doll is named Prototype 001 and features a blonde hime haircut, pink headset, silver body armor, and a cyborg cat.
- Ahn was approached by Mattel three years ago.
- The design draws inspiration from anime, sci-fi, and artist Mariko Mori.
- Ahn believes this is the first humanoid Barbie in Mattel's history.
- Ahn's childhood involved cutting Barbie dolls' hair and outfits, which influenced her creative approach.
- The collaboration reflects Ahn's optimism for futurism and the potential of humanoid technology.
- The doll is part of a series of designer collaborations with Barbie, following the 2023 film's press tour.
Entities
Artists
- Yoon Ahn
- Mariko Mori
Institutions
- Ambush
- Mattel
- Sega Toys
- Nintendo
Locations
- Tokyo
- Japan