Armani crafts special ensemble for Barbie

Giorgio Armani has a new muse: Barbie. Armani has created a strapless, silk chiffon top and crepe skirt embellished with dark beads and covered with sparkle tulle for the 11 1/2-inch doll. Both pieces are taupe. An evening purse, also in taupe crepe and dripping with beads, a matching necklace and earrings complete the outfit.

But couture fashion doesn’t come cheap. The price of the limited-edition Armani Barbie, due in stores in September: $134.99.

The Milan, Italy-based designer is donating his royalties to YouthAIDS, a global initiative to educate and protect at-risk youth from HIV infection, and Room to Grow, which works to improve the lives of babies born into poverty.

Barbie debuted in 1959 as a teenage fashion model. More than 50 designers, including Bill Blass, Calvin Klein and Vera Wang, have designed items for the Mattel doll. —AP

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