Wearing a black strapless party dress, pink peep-toe stilettos and a stunning necklace featuring a one-carat purplish-pink Argyle diamond, the world’s most expensive Barbie will be auctioned at Christie’s in New York tomorrow (October 20).
Designed from head-to-toe by Australian jewellery designer Stefano Canturi, the Barbie is expected to sell for US$300,000 to $400,000 during Christie’s Jewels: The New York Sale.
The doll will be auctioned without reserve with all profits from the sale going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
‘Barbie by Stefano Canturi’ wears a Canturicollar necklace featuring three carats of white diamonds centered on a one-carat emerald cut Fancy Vivid purplish-pink diamond.
Canturi was invited to create the special Barbie after a successful collaboration with Mattel for Barbie’s 50th Anniversary celebration last year.
The Australian designer spent four weeks designing the new doll’s frame, hair style, makeup, dress, shoes, nail polish, and of course, jewellery.
Canturi then partnered with Christie’s and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation to ensure the auction of the doll would result in “a significant and meaningful contribution to the many women who inspire him and for whom he designs”.
“We are honored and thrilled that Stefano Canturi chose The Breast Cancer Research Foundation as the beneficiary of this special Barbie,” said Evelyn Lauder, chairman and founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Canturi Jewels has salons in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane as well as in New York and Las Vegas.