Barbie comes in so many forms -- veterinarian, fashionista, princess, gymnast -- but Jim Rodda makes her a courageous armor-clad warrior with his Kickstarting 3D printed medieval armor called Faire Play. The doll-sized suit of armor will include a sword and shield. The outfit is a perfect combination of warrior and chic-fashionista.
It's great way to update Barbie for today's woman. Girls today need a role model who can stand on her own two feet and doesn't need to wait for Prince Charming to save her. Thanks to Jim Rodda's doll armor, Barbie will finally join the 21st century heroines who save themselves such as the women in Disney's Frozen and Brave.
I'm not sure what kind of war Barbie would ever have to fight, but at least with this armor, she's ready no matter what.
Armored Medieval Dolls
Artist Jim Rodda Turns Barbie into a Fierce Warrior
Trend Themes
1. 3D Printing Custom Doll Armor - Opportunity for growth in the custom doll and 3D printing industries with consumers seeking unique, personalized products.
2. Empowering Young Girls Through Dolls - An opportunity for toy companies to tap into the demand for empowering young girls with strong female characters beyond the Princess archetype.
3. Converging the Toy and Fashion Industries - Opportunity to capitalize on the crossover between fashion and toys to create unique products and collaborations that combine fashion and function.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Industry - Growth opportunities for manufacturers to produce toys beyond traditional gender roles and embrace new designs for empowering young girls with strong female characters.
2. Fashion Industry - An opportunity to collaborate with toy manufacturers to create unique fashion pieces for dolls that marry fashion with function, such as protective or performance wear.
3. 3D Printing Industry - With demand for personalization and bespoke products, an opportunity for 3D printing technology to grow in the toy industry, allowing customers to create their dolls’ accessories on-demand and in a highly-targeted way.