Bits of Barbie at Margaux Lange

There’s something ever so creepy about wearing Barbie’s lips on a pendant or Barbie’s eye in a brooch. At Margaux Lange you will find jewellery that is exactly that – bits of Barbie!

In 2001, Margaux Lange received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Maryland Institute College of Art. The degree gave Margaux the foundation she needed for conceptual exploration in her jewellery work. Margaux was obsessed with Barbie during her childhood, and the miniature world is what she credits for nurturing her creativity and dexterity from an early age.

Margaux’s Plastic Body Series art jewellery collection used salvaged Barbie doll parts, combined with sterling silver and pigmented resins. The collection is a result of Margaux wanting to re-purpose mass-produced materials into handmade, wearable art. It’s intended to examine and celebrate the relationship with Barbie. 

When you first look at the collection, you find it unusual and a bit bizarre. However, when you continue to look at it, it’s a jewellery collection that is quite fun and individual. These Barbie Doll Blossom Ear Earrings work quite well, because from a distance it would appear to just be a flower with unusual petals, but close up it’s a flower made up from Barbie’s ears. Similarly, this Barbie Doll Smile Pin with red resin is also quite effective. Unless you’re told it’s Barbie’s mouth, you would just think it’s a kitsch brooch. 

“I’ve recently been inspired by the line-work found in vintage Barbie colouring books and have been working on a newer collection based on this idea. I have several newer pieces that I would call my favourites.” If Margaux struggles to pick one single piece then you will too. 

Admittedly, some of the pieces are a bit too creepy, in particular the necklaces where Barbie and Ken appear to be smooching. However, you can only see their mouths and nothing else. This Spark Necklace consists of just the mouths of the infamous dolls. To some people this may be too much, but others may love this.

The jewellery isn’t exactly cheap, but when you want to stand out from the crowd, it’s worth paying that bit more. Check out Margaux Lange’s Etsy site here for, literally, bits of Barbie.

Jenny Rodgers