Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, known in the fashion world as the creators of unique collections of Barbie dolls, tragically died in a car accident in northern Italy. Pagliino was 52 and Grossi was 55.
The accident occurred on the A4 motorway between Turin and Milan. The designers were driving a Peugeot 3008 with banker Amodio Valerio Giourni and his wife, Silvia Moramarco, in the car. Due to a head-on collision, they received life-threatening injuries. The 82-year-old driver of another car was also killed. And the woman was admitted to the Niguard hospital in Milan. She is in intensive care and is in critical condition.
After the news of the tragedy, Mattel expressed deep grief:
“The deaths of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi are a great loss for the entire Barbie community. Their art, talent, and boundless dedication have inspired fans around the world. Their spirit will live on in every doll they create.”
Paglino and Grossi were the founders of the Italian brand Magia 2000, which, since 1999, has been creating exclusive collectible Barbie dolls, collaborating with Mattel. Their work has gained worldwide fame, in particular thanks to the original images of Barbie in the style of such stars as Lady Gaga, Cher, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Frida Kahlo.