'Vogue' Turns Models Into Designer Barbies

After more than a decade of reading Vogue every month, I've gotten a little bored of the typical "fashion story" featuring a model running around an exotic locale in designer clothing. But the December 2014/January 2015 issue of Vogue Paris' "Living Dolls" photo series definitely surprised me — in the best way possible.

The images feature models Magdalena Frackowiak and Elisabeth Erm as fashion label–themed Barbie dolls, complete with accessories. Loads of major brands are represented, including Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Valentino, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, and Miu Miu. The whole thing is as imaginative as it is unsettling. While Styleite points out that "treatment of women like inanimate objects" is creepy and problematic, I feel like Vogue Paris is actually making a statement with these photographs. Frackowiak and Erm stare blankly ahead and do such a convincing job of playing the part of fashion Barbie that it's hard not to interpret this as commentary on the way models are treated in the industry.

Perhaps I'm giving the magazine too much credit. Maybe this really is an example of the way that media views women, rather than a self-aware assessment. But I'm still so, so impressed by these images, which are exhaustively detailed down the the plastic ties that hold the accessories in place. Head over to DesignBoom to see the entire shoot and check out a few of my favorites below.

Would kill for those mini Rockstud bags.

Chanel is even better when it's doll-sized.

Oh, hey there, petite LVs!

I'm sad my dolls never looked this rock 'n' roll.