Last year, I was privileged to visit the world’s first store entirely dedicated to `Barbie` on Huai Hai Rd. in Shanghai, China, one of the busiest shopping streets in cosmopolitan downtown Shanghai.

In one of the six floors there, I marveled at Barbie dolls dressed in beautiful wedding gowns by…

…Monique Lhuillier

…Vera Wang

…Carolina Herrera

…Badgely and Mishka

and Reem Acra

I was so enamored with the collection that I forgot to take pictures (it was allowed) hence, these internet pics.

Then, last month, I heard about Ballet Philippines commissioning top local designers to create fashion pieces for Barbie for an auction to benefit 30 scholars of the dance company.

According to www.spot.ph, Ballet Philippines` new chairman, 1973 Miss Universe Margie Moran Floirendo asked several top designers to “create what they imagined as ballet costumes for Barbie dolls and for the royal and princess collections.”

The event on March 17 at the Peninsula Manila Hotel is “open to collectors and supporters of Ballet Philippines,” Floirendo said. ” I expect interest in an advanced auction on our website. We hope to raise a million pesos. I have seen some of the creations and they are absolutely stunning.” The idea for the auction came from both Floirendo and Myrna Yao of Richwell Trading, the exclusive developer and distributor of Barbie in the Philippines.

Designers were given no other parameters, causing their imagination and creativity to run free.

Louis Claparols drew inspiration from old sci-fci movies, James Reyes from the black swan in Swan Lake, JC Buendia from the First Lady, and Tippi Ocampo from the modern ballerina.

Vittorio Barba, Cary Santiago and Eric delos Santos dressed Barbie in clothes or versions of pieces from their past and present collections.

Dong Omaga-Diaz’s “Inday Barbies” wore “real and wearable clothes.”

There were multi-themed pieces as well: Len Nepomuceno Guiao did Opera, Disco, Cocktail, Red Carpet and Grecian, while Rajo Laurel did Fire, Wind, Water and Earth.

Jojie Lloren, who was among the designers who treated the project like a sculpture, collaborated with painters, artists and sculptors to create art pieces. Jewelry designer Hans Brumann created pieces for six Barbies.

Since we heart weddings, I so, so heart these laser cut wedding gown creations by Cebu designer Cary Santiago. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the pictures.

Photo via www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog

Photo via Preview magazine`s Associate Fashion Editor Daryl Chang`s blog

Photo via www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog

Amazing!

Read more about Cary Santiago`s Ballet Philippines gowns at Preview magazine`s Daryl Chang`s blog and www.style.ph editor Isha Andaya`s blog here..

Photo credits:
Vera Wang Barbie, Monique Lhuillier Barbie, Badgely & Mishka Barbie,
Reema Barbie

1. Behind the scenes at Carolina Herrera`Spring 2011 Bridal Collection private preview
2. In the News: NY-based designer Robin Tomas wins Supima Award
3. WE`re back!