Barbie doll goes ethnic with Minangkabau attire

By Maria Endah Hulupi

JAKARTA (JP): Barbie doll goes traditional with her latest look in Minang costume, an answer to the wishes of local fans and collectors to see her in attire more attuned to the country's traditions.

A brown-eyed, full-lipped Barbie girl shows off her elegant gold-colored gown with high headgear, giving her a charming and radiant traditional Minang (Minangkabau -- an ethnic group of West Sumatra) look.

Barbie poses as if she is a professional dancer, ready to perform the well-known Minang dance, Tari Piring, in front of an audience. This Minang Barbie doll is equipped with a pair of shoes, two plates for dancing and guidelines to use the headier.

President of Barbie doll manufacturer P.T. Mattel Indonesia, Bob Jezak said that Minang culture is one of the well-known cultures in the country, which is also a potential market for the product.

"Minang culture is popular among Indonesian people. It has impressive costumes, interesting dances and well-recognized food," Jezak said on the sidelines of the launching ceremony at Mulia Hotel, Senayan.

He added that this is the first Barbie doll dressed in a traditional outfit, while hinting at the possibility that other costumes from across the country may also be adopted to dress this modern doll for her next appearance.

Barbie has appeared in at least 45 nationalities, earning her the title "the doll of the world". Her new Minang look has strengthened it and emphasized her eagerness to further explore new cultures and trends.

The doll was made and designed entirely in Indonesia, with 40 percent local material content. The company limited the production to 15,000 Minang Barbie dolls, available commercially at Rp. 129,900.

Separately, PT Mattel Indonesia's product and development staff Saliva Mohamadar said the Minang Barbie was designed by a 20-member team, responsible for each detail of her costume.

"The Minang costume was chosen during a traditional costume design contest held by the company," she said, while adding that the production process started two years ago.

She also added that the company conducted prior consultation with Elly Kasim and Leon Agusta, both experts in Minang tradition to incorporate more comprehensive cultural aspects in the product making.

Jezak said the Minang Barbie doll would touch the imagination of local collectors and fans as she would perpetuate the culture from which the costume she wears originates.

When she made her first public appearance in 1959 she drew the attention of both critics and fans. Now she had become a model for fans from various age groups in different countries. One local fan and collector is pop singer Krisdayanti, who attended the launching ceremony.

The self-confessed lover of Barbie dolls said she has been collecting Barbie dolls before her marriage to popular singer Anang. She now owns 50 Barbie dolls.

Local fans were peeping curiously to get a glimpse of her new traditional look during the launching at Hotel Mulia Senayan. "Barbie Collectibles", comprising several Barbie dolls in her most unforgettable attire and moods, are also being displayed at the Barbie Gallery until Dec. 26.

Barbie Collectibles shows her exceptional looks in traditional costumes from modern and ancient times, like "Goddess of Beauty" and in clothes that set trends in past decades, like her 70's look "Flower Power".

Several leading names in international fashion design, like Christian Dior and Bob Mackie as well as local top designers, Didi Budiharjo and Sebastian Gunawan, have dressed the world's most fashionable doll.

Barbie also wears designs inspired by elements of nature that would take her fans into an imaginary world, like "Whispering Winds", "Dancing Fire" or "Snowflakes".

She also presents herself as a teacher, a nurse, an astronaut, an Olympic athlete and a presidential candidate.

This popular doll even has its own club, called the Barbie Collectors Club which was launched in the United States in 1996 and today has over 14,000 collectors worldwide with 1,000's more in Asian countries, namely Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

And to keep local Barbie fans abreast of the latest information about their favorite doll, they could enroll themselves in the newly launched "Indonesian Barbie Collectors Club" and enjoy the privileges of being a member, which includes a starter kit and an opportunity to meet other collectors from Asian countries, just to name a few.