Palm Springs’ connection to ‘Barbie’ film shines ahead of Greta Gerwig’s ‘Director of the Year’ Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

Barbie director, Greta Gerwig is being recognized as ‘Director of the Year’ at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards on Thursday, January 4.

In honor of the critically acclaimed film we took a closer look at Palm Springs’ ties to the live-action Barbie movie.

Greta Gerwig’s record breaking Barbie movie captured the hearts of millions this summer. 

Including that of Modernism Week’s CEO, Lissa Vossler Smith. 

"I really have the best of both worlds, getting to combine my love of modern architecture with my love of Barbie," said Vossler Smith.

When she isn’t sharing her passion for architecture, she’s capturing Barbie’s enchantment through her ‘Tiny Palm Springs’ Instagram account. 

"Through that I'm able to tell stories about the wonderful and fabulous life of Barbie living in Palm Springs, California," added Vossler Smith.

Her pictures of Barbie lounging poolside and Ken rollerblading past palm trees aren’t too far off from what we saw on screen.

According to Architectural Digest, the film’s production designer and set decorator admittedly drew inspiration from Palm Springs’ in creating 'Barbie Land.'

"We have one of the most iconic Mid-century Modern properties in the world. It's right behind me. It's called the Kaufmann House. This was designed by Richard Neutra in 1946," said Vossler Smith. "You can see the beautiful second story 'gloriette' as it's called, which is a beautiful covered outdoor patio with glorious desert views. But it really recalls the design of the Dreamhouse."

Vossler Smith adds that the 'International Style Architecture' is what makes it appealing across the board.

"It incorporates the indoor, outdoor lifestyle. So that of course with Barbie not having any walls in the Dreamhouse. It was a perfect inspiration," said Vossler Smith.

The Kaufmann Desert Home's second story resembles Barbie's room with the open space. In the film, she's able to look out and see the beautiful desert view. 

"It's so beautiful to see a paradise looking like Palm Springs on the big movie screen," said Vossler Smith. "They went to painstaking detail to paint the backgrounds, paint the beautiful purple mountains which look like our beautiful mount San Jacinto. And then of course, the architecture all around the cul-de-sac of the Barbie Dreamland. You can see all of the different dream houses with their open concept. It looks like indoor-outdoor living with the swimming pools in Palm Springs."

It’s a bit of a full circle moment at this year’s Palm Springs International Film Festival, being that Greta Gerwig will be named 'Director of the Year' for her live action ‘Barbie’ movie in the very city that inspired the film’s Barbie Land. 

"I hope that Modernism, much like Mattel's Barbie will never be out of style," said Vossler Smith.