Barbie – the ultimate fashion collaborator, pop culture icon, muse, social media influencer, diversity and inclusion advocate, and licensing legend – will be the star of BLE’s day one keynote, ‘Barbie x Fashion’, delivered by Mattel President and COO Richard Dickson.

For more than six decades, as the world’s first fashion doll, Barbie has modelled the aspirations of generations and left her well-heeled footprint on pop culture. Today, as the most diverse line of dolls on the planet, Barbie is also a powerful voice for empowerment, self-expression and inclusion.

And consumers can’t get enough. Barbie is also the number one toy property in the world and an influential multiplier in everything from fashion to social media and entertainment.

Commenting is Informa Markets’ SVP of Licensing, Anna Knight.

“Barbie is one of the world’s greatest fashion and licensing icons, collaborating with everyone from Balmain, Karl Largerfeld, Moschino and Diane von Furstenberg, to M.A.C. and River Island.

“And, like all fashion icons, she has evolved, disrupted, inspired and led from the front. She is the perfect star to take centre stage during BLE’s fashion-themed year and it’s no surprise she was labelled ‘The forever icon’ by Italian Vogue. Thank you, Mattel and Richard Dickson, we can’t wait for your keynote at BLE in September.”

During his Barbie x Fashion keynote taking place at 1pm on Tuesday 20 September, Dickson will take BLE visitors on a rollercoaster ride looking at Barbie’s legacy to date and heralding the runway that lies ahead.

BLE is Europe’s leading trade event and takes place from 20-22 September 2022 at ExCeL London.

Dickson first joined Mattel in 2000. In his role he leads Mattel’s portfolio of global brands, overseeing innovation strategy, design and development, and brand marketing. He also oversees franchise management, which includes licensing and merchandising, episodic content, live events and digital gaming.

During his time at Mattel, Dickson has grown some of the world’s most powerful and purpose-driven brands, including Barbie – the most diverse line of fashion dolls – and Hot Wheels. In 2021, Barbie was the #1 toy property globally; Hot Wheels was the #1 vehicle property globally; and Fisher-Price was the #1 Infant, Toddler, and Preschool property globally, per The NPD Group.

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