Barbie will be the star of Brand Licensing Europe’s Day One keynote, “Barbie x Fashion,” delivered by Richard Dickson, president and chief operating officer, Mattel. 

For more than six decades, as the world’s first fashion doll, Barbie has modeled the aspirations of generations and left her well-heeled footprint on pop culture. Today, as the most diverse line of dolls on the planet Barbie is also a powerful voice for empowerment, self-expression, and inclusion. And consumers can’t get enough. Today, Barbie is the number one toy property in the world and an influential multiplier in everything from fashion to social media and entertainment.   

“Barbie is one of the world’s greatest fashion and licensing icons, collaborating with everyone from Balmain, Karl Largerfeld, Moschino and Diane von Furstenberg, to M.A.C. and River Island,” says Anna Knight, senior vice president, licensing, Informa Markets. “And, like all fashion icons, she has evolved, disrupted, inspired and led from the front - she is the perfect star to take center stage during BLE’s fashion themed year and it’s no surprise she was labeled ‘The forever icon’ by Italian Vogue. Thank you, Mattel and Richard Dickson – we can’t wait for your keynote at BLE in September.”  

During the Barbie x Fashion keynote, taking place on Sept. 20, Dickson will take BLE visitors on a rollercoaster ride, looking at Barbie’s legacy to date and heralding the runway that lies ahead.  

Brand Licensing Europe is Europe’s leading trade event and takes place from September 20-22, 2022 at ExCeL London. Registration is free and open now.   

Dickson first joined Mattel in 2000 and, in his role, he leads Mattel’s portfolio of global brands, overseeing innovation strategy, design and development and brand marketing. He also oversees franchise management, which includes licensing and merchandising, episodic content, live events and digital gaming.