Barbie Jumps from the Silver Screen to Kids’ Hospital to the #1 Halloween Costume of 2023

by Grayling Holmes / Photos courtesy of Kelly Bagwe and Alex Guiterrez

Halloween season is here and of the 20 most popular costumes this year, Barbie reigns supreme. Not only did the summer blockbuster behemoth rake in 1.3 billion dollars, it now ranks as one of history’s top 20 films. Around town, Barbie jumped from the silver screen at the Chase, to a doll giveaway at Cardinal Glennon, to a Halloween costume party at Hotel St. Louis.

Kelly Bagwe (front row left) hosts the Barbie Movie premiere at the Chase Park Plaza Theater.

Local socialite and model Kelly Bagwe brought together fashion, fun, and girly glitz at the Chase Park Plaza Theater for the premiere of the blockbuster Barbie movie this summer. Kelly reached out to the St. Louis Fashion Fund, who is celebrating their 10th anniversary, to help with the event. A giant Barbie doll box designed by Bounce and Bash Co. took center stage as models and others came to life. Kelly’s glamorous friends popped out of the box and strolled throughout the Chase Park Plaza’s grand corridors. Heads were turning as the Barbie Brigade walked abreast donning frilly dresses in a kaleidoscope of pink.

Rachel Kennedy, Melissa Miller, Leah Stutz, Betsy Toney, and Kelly Bagwe stroll the grand corridors of the Chase Park Plaza in Barbie attire.

Socialite and model Kelly Bagwe (center) with her life-sized Barbie Brigade, Rachel Kennedy, Betsy Toney, Dr. Kathy Doan Linsenbardt, Lauren SanFillippo, Patty Boehm, Melissa Miller, Leah Stutz, Kim Wolff, Katie Lappas.

Kelly and her Pretty in Pink entourage also gathered Barbie dolls to be given later to girls and boys at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. Happy Up Inc Toys and Games for Every Age in Clayton donated Barbie and Ken dolls to the cause. This time, the magic of Barbie lit not just movie screens, it jumped into the hands of sick children at the hospital to light up their days. More than 100 toys made it into the hands of 100 kids – Barbie dolls for the girls, Ken dolls for the boys.

Amy Wellen and Kelly Bagwe drop off 100 Barbie and Ken dolls to 100 kids at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Kelly Bagwe and Amy Wellen pick up toys donated by Clayton’s Happy Up Inc. Toys and Games for Every Age.

Speaking of Ken dolls, Halloween costumes are “Kenough” (a popular slogan from the movie). Life-sized Kens have been frequently sighted at local Halloween events. Alex Guiterrez of the Central West End’s Portland Place gathered some of his following to party with him on the rooftop of downtown’s Hotel St. Louis. Of course, Alex came equipped with his “Kenough” coffee mug in hand. A bright blonde wig sat atop his other mug. Known about town for his dedication to style, he did not disappoint the fashion police. Wearing Ken’s signature sparkling pink shades, an elegant pink velvet jacket, and hot pink skinny jeans, he became the ultimate Ken doll. White leather sneakers, snugly drawn with hot pink laces completed the look.

Idaria Kerr-Goodwin and Alex Guiterrez as Barbie and Ken.

His personal trainer Idaria Kerr-Goodwin was the candy on Alex’s arm. Resplendent in a skin-tight Barbie-blue-spandex leotard, Idaria slayed as Barbie. “My girl worked it! Her brown, cocoa skin glowed beneath her cascading platinum blonde wig. Can you say bombshell?” effused Alex. “And shout out to my friend Amy Gill who owns the hotel and invited us down for the Rooftop Revue Drag Show. The dolla dolla bills flowed as freely as the fun.”

Idaria Kern-Goodwin, Symone Johnson, and Fern Taylor.

It seems as if the Greta Gerwig epic is making its footprint here and beyond. Rumor has it that there’s already award-season-buzz surrounding the film. St. Louis did its part to catapult the juggernaut for kids of all ages.