Mattel announced in December 2008 that the French shoe designer Christian Louboutin would design a pair of pumps for Barbie’s 50th birthday, according to Luxuo, in Barbie Pantone 219 Pink, to be unveiled at Mattel’s runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. W Magazine reports that 50 designers, among them Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa and Derek Lam, made Barbie inspired outfits for the show, all accessorized with Barbie pink Louboutin pumps. Louboutin said: “I guess I always had a little girly side who liked Barbie.”

By October 2009 the project had grown into a doll program. NBC New York reported on October 16, 2009 that Louboutin had unveiled the hot pink heel and a picture diary of him with the doll in situations from a red carpet event to a jewel heist, and that he would act as a “godfather” to Barbie for a year. FashionUnited, citing Women’s Wear Daily, says he designed three dolls, inspired by Nefertiti and Marilyn Monroe, each packed in a Louboutin shoe box with four pairs of Barbie size heels. A jewel thief themed Barbie was due in December, a safari themed Barbie in February and a Barbie who goes to the…