I've always been a fan of the ever-iconic Moschino, and like every fashion enthusiast I prey upon the illustrious gowns, tailored suits and swish coats paraded down the catwalks of Milan fashion week, but this season among the flowing fabric and flamboyant fastenings, I uncovered a somewhat disappointing surprise...
I was simply quite distraught when I saw Moschino's attempt at re-incarnating the classic Barbie doll, not so controversially through the clothes, but more so through the pretentious platinum hair and stick thin 'attributes' of the models. Like most girls of western culture, I had my collection of Barbie dolls, Bratz dolls and all those other unrealistic yet painfully influential figures at age 5, but growing up I've realized how damaging these perfectly preppy pink puppets are.
For me it's such a shame because I am such a fan of Moschino and I feel like this was a very risky creative route to undergo, however if I really have to draw out the positives of the collection, which don't get me wrong, there were some, then I will observe at surface level. To be fair, only Moschino could bring back this shade of 'Barbie pink' so shamelessly and convince me than an all pink co-ord set covered in pearls could actually be quite chic for next spring. I like the effortless vibe that the collection creates in terms of tailoring and accessorizing, but unfortunately for me it doesn't go further than that.
Just when I thought the world of fashion was opening it's eyes to plus-size models and collections tailored for the more realistic woman, the Moschino S/S '15 runway pops up on my newsfeed, and to be honest, my heart sank. It seems that Moschino is not only condoning this very un-realistic and fake plastic puppet, but using it as a selling point whilst re-affirming that Barbie is in fact attractive as well as a good role model- I thought I'd escaped Barbies infantile influence at the age of about 8, but apparently not. I can definitely say that as a young woman, I have been hugely influenced and affected in a bad way by the media, the anorexic models featured on almost every runway, the over use of photoshop in magazines etc., but what sub-consciously started it all, preparing me for a lifetime of disappointment (because I wasn't stick thin with long legs, luscious platinum hair and the perfect nose), was in fact the Barbie doll.
Some might suggest that the production of a fuller, more voluptuous sized Barbie is the way forward, but whilst I agree that would be a tremendous breakthrough, I can't help but think, that we would then be promoting an over-sized and overweight figure. I hate the fact that there are such extremes, why can't we find a happy and healthy medium? I would love nothing more than to walk down the toys isle and see a doll who doesn't have chiseled cheekbones, isn't 9 ft tall, who has an unusual hair cut, a curvy size 12 figure and maybe the odd piercing! Am I asking for too much?
The problem with Barbie goes far beyond the aesthetic appeal however, as it has been proven that if Barbie were to be human, her tiny elongated frame would not even fit her internal organs and she would have to crawl to support un-balanced figure which is actually a ridiculous fact to fathom. Not only this but her facial features are so exaggerated that they would look more 'extra-terrestrial' than anything else, and all this time we continue to buy these dolls and huge brands, Moschino included, continue to condone this 'ideal', despite the shocking facts.
It has taken me personally a good few years (with the help of Beyonce of course) to convince myself that I'm not supposed to look like Barbie, the models on the catwalks or the cover-girls in the magazines, and whilst I enjoy being different with my big hair, curvy figure and piercings we are constantly being forced to believe that we should look anything but our beautiful selves, and there's nothing more morally incorrect and harmful to me as a young woman and to the generations upon generations who have grown up under the influence of the one and only 'plastic fantastic'.
Let me know what you think of this controversial collection, and in the meantime, celebrate the fact that you don't look like Barbie!
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