Chinese Designer Guo Pei Unveils 2023 Barbie Collab for Year of the Rabbit

Teaming up with toymaker Mattel for her second design with Barbie, Chinese haute couture designer Guo Pei has unveiled a special collaboration in time for 2023 Chinese New Year.

Drawing upon her cultural heritage and infusing the piece with influences of her past couture designs, Guo beautifully marries a stylish modern fit with Chinese traditions in this gorgeous and blessings-attracting piece in this unique 2023 Lunar New Year Doll ensemble.

The festive doll is a limited-edition drop that was first released on Jan. 6, prefacing the auspicious Year of the Rabbit celebrations to come. Referencing the traditional Qing Dynasty court dress, the look comprises of a matching satin top and skirt in royal blue, embroidered with ornate swirling dragons to symbolize luck and strength. Explaining in an Instagram post, Guo integrated these swirling elements to represent “the union of earthly elements.” Tying the look together with a flourish, the doll shows a sleek flicked bob with bangs, gold hoop earrings, a fluffed statement ring, as well as glinting gold stilettos.

The 2023 edition of Guo Pei’s Chinese New Year design marks the third collaboration between the designer and Barbie, and her second Chinese New Year release. Pei’s previous design collab with Barbie was a doll-sized reinterpretation of the Yellow Empress dress worn by Rihanna at the 2015 “China: Through the Looking Glass” themed Met Gala, which was released by Mattel in Oct. 2022. The “Princess of China” singer was singled out as one of the fashion gala’s highlights that year thanks to the lavish, floor-tailing gown shown in doll-sized form above.

Guo’s 2022 Chinese New Year-inspired look, created for the Year of the Tiger was a red and gold two piece with embroidery of rolling waves and graceful phoenixes, not unlike a traditional Chinese wedding gown.

For the cross-section of Barbie fans who hold Chinese New Year close to their heart, Mattel has also just put out a new traditional hanfu Barbie, inspired by clothing authentic to the Dunhuang area and the region’s cave painting art. This red and blue dress blossoms into a delicate yet structured A-line skirt, with long robe-like sleeves and panels of floral decals echoing Tang dynasty woodblock art. Pearl accessories complement the doll, whose eyes are blushed with light ruby eyeshadow.