Debbie Meyer Hastey
Designing For A Legendary Lady

Can you think of someone who has been a part of fashion and fun the last 40 years, who is always up-to-date with the latest trends, and who's history reflects changes in the pop culture and fashion? We could think of only one person, BARBIE®.

BARBIE® is celebrating her 40th anniversary this year and FIDM's 3rd year Fashion Design graduate Debbie Meyer Hastey has the exciting challenge of bringing the BARBIE® tradition into the next millenium.

Debbie is the Manager of Mattel, Inc.'s Barbie Preliminary Design Department. Debbie has not only personally designed some fun and unique BARBIE® dolls being sold today, but heads up a staff of designers, inventors, model makers, and sample makers who continue to produce the BARBIE® doll legacy. There are several stages of research and development that must be passed before a BARBIE® doll is produced.

Debbie oversees the decisions on which colors to use along with the style of the body, appropriate accessories and functionality. The inventors on Debbie's staff are always coming up with new ideas for accessories and props, while the designers and sample makers collaborate on new outfits. Debbie makes sure that everything produced keeps within the BARBIE® tradition and will appeal to the BARBIE® market audience.

The process ends with one of the most important aspects of the development stage, which are the test cells. Test cells are used to see what children and adults will buy when given a selection of BARBIE® dolls and a competitor's products. If a design gets a strong response, it goes into production. Many prototypes never make it and are shelved. The process is demanding but it ensures that a design that makes it will have a better chance to be successful on the market. Debbie and her staff are always trying to 'push the envelope,' and, to be a step ahead in the toy business and to please BARBIE® collectors around the world.

Debbie says that what she took from her education at FIDM has helped her throughout her career. She says FIDM provided her with the technical expertise along with the confidence to be successful in the industry. Debbie came to FIDM not only for its reputation for providing students with a real industry education, but for FIDM's ability to place it's graduates into the fields they studied.

FIDM's strong presence within the fashion industry made Debbie feel secure that she would have a head start on the competition once she graduated. Her advice to those coming up in her field is to keep on striving towards your goals. It my take awhile but you can achieve anything as long as you try your best.

BARBIE and associated trademarks are owned by Mattel, Inc.® 1999 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.