Shanghai Barbie

Nope, it's not Shanghai Baby, now it's Shanghai Barbie. The massive 3400-square-meter flagship shop at 550 Huai Hai Lu is set to open soon. The tagline: "We Believe in Girls' Dreams" is perhaps the most disturbing aspect. How does Barbie appeal to a Shanghainese girl's dreams? The wish to have blond hair and a boob job?

Shanghai's House of Barbie is the first Barbie flagship worldwide. Two new Shanghai Barbie Dolls (one Asian, one Caucasian) were developed for the grand opening. Mattel invested over 30 million US dollars to set up the store that will carry Barbie Dolls and all Barbie related products.

We still can't help but ask the question: does Shanghai really need Barbie?
Originally posted on ChinaTravel.net.

Photos by Rebekah Pothaar.