Philippines Designer Talks Culture Seen in New Filipino Mutya Barbie Doll From Global Glamour Collection
Mattel released a new Filipina Barbie doll as part of its Global Glamour collection earlier this month.
Inspired by the glitz and glam of traditional Filipino beauty pageants, the doll is named Mutya Barbie and was created by Filipino designer Carlyle Nuera, who recently spoke about the creation.
"The name 'Mutya' means pearl or beauty or muse; it's a girl's name; and it is also used in the titles of beauty pageants in the Philippines," said Nuera, according to NBC News. "My mother, Ruby, was Miss Tacloban in 1976."
Nuera says he tapped into his own culture and family as a source of inspiration to create the Mutya Barbie, who is dressed in an organza terno based on the sampaguita flower and the sun icon from the Philippine flag.
"Her organza overdress is a take on the terno, with the unmistakable butterfly sleeves. The organza's print references textiles of the different tribes in the Philippines as well as the sun from the flag. The embroidery on the hem is inspired by the sampaguita, a jasmine flower that is the national flower of the Philippines," explained Nuera.
The Filipina doll has olive tanned skin and black hair and is accessorized with golden earrings, a necklace, a bracelet and a golden lace fabric fan.
"The details of Mutya Barbie's jewelry refer back to tambourine jewelry as well," said Nuera.
Nuera, who began dreaming of designing for the Barbie Collection as a young boy, says he chose the Kira sculpt for the face, which happens to very popular among Barbie collectors, although it has not been used since around 2000.
According to ABS CBN, the Mutya Barbie is currently being sold online for $100, but collectors are only allowed to order five dolls since only 4,400 units of the limited edition doll were released on Feb. 2.
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