Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi – who have been described as visionaries for their Barbie designs – died in a head-on collision with an elderly man on the Turin-Milan highway
A couple who designed world-famous Barbie dolls have been killed in a head-on collision in Italy.
Egidio Ceriano, 82, was driving on the wrong lane on the Turin-Milan highway for several miles on Saturday when he crashed into a Peuegeot 3008 SUV carrying four people. Both vehicles were travelling at 130km/h (80mph), reports say.
In the people carrier were Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, who were famed for their role in designing a number of lines of the world-famous Barbie dolls. While the original doll was developed by Ruth Handler in the 1950s, over the years the couple created dolls inspired by several showbiz personalities, including Madonna, Cher, Victoria Beckham and Lady Gaga.
Their Madonna doll has become one of the most famous among collectors.
In 1999, they founded a company that collaborates with Mattel to create customised dolls. One of their creation was sold for 15,000 euros (£13,000) at a charity auction in 2015.
They were travelling with Amodio Giumi, 37, who worked at the BPM Bank, and his wife, 36, who is the sole survivor of the smash and is currently hospitalised at Milan’s Niguarda Hospital.
She is intensive care with a fractured arm, leg, and chest trauma. While she’s in serious condition, her injuries are not said to be life-threatening, reports say.
The elderly driver missed the toll booth on the Turin-Milan highway, but when he turned around and re-entered the motorway he entered the wrong lane. He travelled for another seven kilometres not realising he was heading straight on to the collision, traffic police said.
On the official Instagram account for Barbie, tributes were paid to the visionary couple.
“The Barbie team is heartbroken by the loss of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, two treasured creators and Mattel collaborators who brought joy and artistry to the world of Barbie as Magia 2000,” the tribute said.
“As passionate and talented designers and lifelong collectors, their spirit and love for the brand turned every creation they touched into a masterpiece. Beyond their remarkable talent, they shared an energy that lit up every space they entered.”
“Whether leading the Italian Doll Convention in Milan or showcasing their talents and love for Barbie at doll shows all over the world, their presence brought warmth, laughter and a sense of belonging.”