The Barbie universe is in mourning for the sudden death of two of its most beloved collaborators: Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, the Italian design duo known as Magia2000, who died in a tragic car accident in Italy on Sunday, July 27.
PUBLICIDAD
They were both creative and romantic partners, widely recognized for their artistic work with collector dolls, particularly Barbie.
PUBLICIDAD
The news was confirmed by the brand’s official account, which paid tribute to them with an emotional message: “Barbie mourns the loss of two precious artists whose work has forever shaped the world of Barbie.”
A head-on collision on the A4 highway
According to reports from the People magazine, Paglino (52) and Grossi (55) lost their lives when an 82-year-old man drove in the wrong direction for several kilometers on the A4 highway, between Turin and Milan.
The driver, Egidio Ceriani, crashed head-on into the car carrying the designers near the Marcallo-Mesero toll booth, in the Lombardy region.
In the same vehicle were also Amodio Valerio Giurni (37), who died at the scene, and his wife Silvia Moramarco (36), who was seriously injured and was taken to Niguarda Hospital in Milan. The crash caused shock in the local community and in the world of design.
Magia2000: art, passion, and community
Mario and Gianni founded Magia2000 over two decades ago and became references in the doll collecting world for their unique and handcrafted pieces.
They participated in international fairs, designed special dolls for charity auctions, and directed the Italian Doll Convention in Milan. Their work was celebrated not only for its quality, but for the love they conveyed in every detail.
“The Barbie world is better because they loved the brand,” the company stated. In their message, they also highlighted their generosity and the energy they brought to each event: “Their spirit and love for the brand turned every creation they touched into a masterpiece.”
The worldwide Barbie collectors community has reacted with sadness, remembering Mario and Gianni as passionate artists, unparalleled creatives, and deeply human individuals. Their legacy will be forever embodied in every doll they helped transform into art.