First came Aussie Margot Robbie, slipping into the high-gloss heels of Barbie and carrying the world’s most famous doll from toy shelf to cinema screen.
Now, another Australian is taking her turn.
This time, it’s fashion illustrator Megan Hess, tasked with translating the quintessentially American icon from plastic to page.
Mattel has partnered with Hess on a seven-title Barbie book series, set to debut on September 29, 2026 across APAC, North America and the UK.
Published by Hardie Grant, the collection spans three deluxe hardcover titles and four colour and activity books, targeting both adult fans and younger readers.
A fashion icon, reimagined in ink
The series reinterprets Barbie through Hess’s signature hand-drawn fashion illustration style, positioning the doll not just as a toy, but as a design muse.
What’s in the capsule?
• Barbie: A Fashion Icon: a large-format illustrated title featuring more than 100 hand-drawn illustrations exploring colour, collaborations and collections across Barbie’s fashion history
• The World of Barbie: a fully illustrated children’s book inviting young readers into Barbie’s iconic spaces
A range of colour and activity books, spanning adult colouring through to interactive “learn-to-draw Barbie with Megan Hess” formats
Ryan Ferguson, Global Head of Publishing at Mattel, said: “This collaboration unites Megan Hess’s signature fashion illustration style with the Barbie legacy as a fashion icon.
“Designed to inspire fans across generations, each hand-drawn illustration celebrates the craft of traditional fashion illustration while reflecting the inclusive representation of Barbie across personal-style and self-expression. The result is a collection that feels both timeless and culturally relevant.”
Megan Hess. Source: Mattel
From Melbourne to the world
Hardie Grant will publish the collection globally, with the project originating in Australia before being developed for international markets.
Julia Kumschick, Managing Director, Commercial at Hardie Grant, said: “At Hardie Grant, we’re proud to partner with Mattel and Megan Hess on a publishing project that brings together fashion, illustration and storytelling in a truly distinctive way.
“Originating in Australia and developed for a global audience, this series reflects a shared commitment to creative excellence and celebrates Barbie as a cultural icon through books designed to be treasured by readers of all ages.”
Hess, whose fashion illustration career spans clients including Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar, The New York Times, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton, described the collaboration as deeply personal.
“It’s been such an honour to work with Mattel on bringing a lifetime of inspiration into a collection of bespoke Barbie books. It is truly the collaboration of a lifetime.
“If my five-year-old self had known I would one day collaborate with Barbie, I would never have believed it. I grew up playing with Barbie and imagining fashion shows on my bedroom floor, and she made me feel like I could conquer the world,” she said.
Extending Barbie beyond toys
Since launching in 1959, Barbie has evolved into a multi-platform brand spanning toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences.
The publishing push reflects Mattel’s continued expansion of the property into lifestyle categories, reinforcing its positioning as a global cultural icon rather than simply a doll brand.
With more than 175 inclusive looks in the market and a strategy increasingly focused on cross-category storytelling, the Hess collaboration adds another layer to Barbie’s intergenerational appeal – one that blends nostalgia, fashion credibility and collectable design.
The series will be available for pre-order ahead of its September 2026 release.
Main image: Megan Hess and her Barbie drawing. Source: Mattel