BarbieĀ® loves Benetton

Mattel and Benetton Group celebrate a unique new partnership

Milan, Italy, May 5th 2005 -Ā  Mattel and Benetton Group today announced a world-wide exclusive partnership, valid until December 31st2006. Bringing together two of the worldā€™s best known fashion brands, this partnership will create BarbieĀ® loves Benetton a stylish girls fashion collection that capitalises on the BarbieĀ® brand status and Benettonā€™s expertise as leading fashion company.

With the BarbieĀ® brand essence of aspirational fashion, fun and friendship and Benettonā€™s unique style, the collaboration is a natural fit and has led to the creation of BarbieĀ® loves Benetton, an inspired girlsā€™ fashion range. The range features four contemporary looks from the worlds leading style capitals -Ā  London, Paris, New York and Stockholm. The collection also includes four special BarbieĀ® loves Benetton dolls that take their inspiration from the real girl fashion range.

Silvano Cassano, CEO of Benetton Group states, ā€œThe agreement between Mattel and Benetton Group, and two of the fashion worldā€™s strongest brands BarbieĀ® and United Colors of Benetton, highlights both Groupsā€™ strong attention to the market, their international vision and the capacity to aggregate values and innovative ideas in product and distribution. Benetton Group sees co-branding with partners of a global level as strong business opportunities and this agreement with Mattel is, I believe, the best example.ā€

Matt Bousquette, President of Mattel Brands, explains:Ā  ā€œThis is a fantastic partnership for BarbieĀ® and Benetton. For the first time, BarbieĀ® will be seen simultaneously in Benetton windows throughout the world and this will enable us to reach girls in a unique new way. We are delighted that the BarbieĀ® brandā€™s fantastic fashion heritage has helped to create such an inspiring collection. We have been fortunate to work with some of the worldā€™s leading fashion design houses and so the opportunity to work with such a well-established high street favourite is very exciting for us. Both our organisations share the same core values as young, fashionable and fun brands that offer the consumer quality products.ā€

The BarbieĀ® loves Benetton collection, with over 50 garments and accessories, will be available in United Colors of Benetton stores from September 15th with the London andParis collections; from October 13th with New York and Stockholm. Special editionBarbieĀ® loves Benetton dolls will be available alongside fashions in Benetton stores and also in major toy retailers. In December, the range continues with a special festive Benetton collection, accompanied by a unique BarbieĀ® doll exuding the holiday spirit.

BarbieĀ® and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Mattel Inc.Ā©2005 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including BarbieĀ®, the most popular fashion doll ever created.Ā Ā  The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot WheelsĀ®, MatchboxĀ®, American GirlĀ® and TycoĀ® R/C, as well as Fisher-PriceĀ® brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little PeopleĀ®, Rescue HeroesĀ®, Power WheelsĀ® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.Ā  The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

About Benetton Group

Today, the Benetton Group is present in 120 countries around the world. Its core business is clothing: a group with a strong Italian character whose style, quality and passion are clearly seen in its brands: the casual United Colors of Benetton, fashion oriented Sisley, Playlife leisurewear and Killer Loop streetwear. The Group produces around 110 million garments every year. Its retail network of 5,000 contemporary stores around the world, offers high quality customer services and generates a total turnover of approximately 1.7 billion euro.

 

 

For further information:

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