BARBIE DESIGNED BY STEFANO CATURI SELLS FOR $302,500

THE MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE IN THE WORLD, WITH JEWELS DESIGNED BY AUSTRALIA'S STEFANO CATURI, HAS BEEN SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S IN NEW YORK FOR $302,500. MATTEL COMMISSIONED CANTURI TO CREATE A FINGER-WIDE NECKPIECE AND TINY MATCHING RING TO PROMOTE ITS NEW BARBIE COLLECTION. THE JEWELERY SET FEATURES A NECKLACE MADE FROM THREE CARATS OF WHITE DIAMONDS SET AROUND A ONE CARAT, SQUARE EMERALD-CUT PINK DIAMOND. JEWELER STEFANO CANTURI ALSO DESIGNED THE DOLL'S BLACK STRAPLESS PARTY DRESS, PEEP-TOE STILETTOS AND TUMBLING BLONDE HAIR. 'I WANTED THE JEWELRY DESIGN TO PAY HOMAGE TO BARBIE'S MODERN YET TIMELESS STYLE OVER THE AGES', CANTURI SAID. THE DESIGN WAS INSPIRED BY CUBISM. THE CANTURI BARBIE NOW LEADS THE PACK OF MOST EXPENSIVE BARBIE DOLLS EVER MADE, FOLLOWED BY BARBIE AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE PROMOTIONAL BARBIE ($95,361). ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE ARE GOING TO AID BREAST CANCER RESEARCH.