Video of giant Barbie next to Burj Khalifa goes viral

Dubai social media agency thinks outside the box for Instagram clip

Fans in the UAE may be waiting until August 31 for Barbie to arrive on the big screen in the Emirates, but many are being treated to an even grander arrival from the doll.

A 3D video showing a giant Barbie walking out of her pink packaging and standing next to Burj Khalifa has been viewed more than three million times since it was posted on Instagram on Friday.

The CGI clip shows the popular Mattel doll dressed in a zebra-print swimsuit with a topknot ponytail and sunglasses, similar to the one the first Barbie doll wore when she made her debut in 1959.

Juhi Rupani, creative director of Eye Studio, which created the video, says she's been blown away by the positive response.

"I've never seen anything like it," she tells The National. "We are a boutique social media agency in Dubai and we've never, ever seen this kind of reaction to any of our content."

Rupani, who co-founded the company with her mother Simrrun Rupani, five years ago, says she and her team came up with the video during their daily brainstorming sessions.

"As a social media agency, we're always thinking about what's trending, and everyone is currently talking about Barbie," she says. "So we thought of doing something around an iconic product and putting her next to the most iconic landmark in Dubai."

The 12-second video took about three days to create using footage of Burj Khalifa shot on an iPhone, which was then superimposed with the animated Barbie.

Eye Studio's Neal Santos, a 3D generalist, and Taha Dungerwala, a junior art director, were tasked with the project.

"The first thing that crossed our mind while making it was we kind of wanted to pay homage to the beginning and stay close to how the very first Barbie doll ever created looked back in 1959," they say. "When it came to location, after going back and forth we decided nothing beats the Burj Khalifa."

Neal Santos, left, and Taha Dungerwala. Photo: Eye Studio

Rupani, whose company counts Orfali Bros Bistro, named the No 1 restaurant in Mena's 50 Best Restaurants, as one of its clients, says the video amassed one million views in a mere 24 hours.

"It's our most viewed content ever," she says. "I wish I could give you an explanation as to what happened with the algorithm, but the truth is we don’t know what happened."

Directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie in the titular role, Barbie has already made $356.3 million globally, earning the biggest opening-weekend record of the year and also the first weekend record for a film directed by a woman.

• 

  Los Angeles: Margot Robbie kicked off the global press tour by recreating 2015’s Pink & Fabulous Barbie in a Valentino mini dress. Getty; Mattel

• 

  Beverly Hills: Robbie co-ordinated with her convertible in a pink Bottega Veneta outfit and custom-pink Manolo Blahnik Jada heels. Photo: Warner Bros

• 

  Seoul: Sparkling Barbie from 1964 was the inspiration for Robbie’s pink Moschino matching set. Getty; Mattel

• 

  Seoul: For the premiere in South Korea, the actress wore two outfits inspired by 1985's Day to Night Barbie, including a pink Versace skirt suit for the day look. AFP; Mattel

• 

  Seoul: The night version of the look was also Versace, a tulle skirt and sparkling beaded bodice. AFP; Mattel

• 

  Mexico City: Robbie drew inspiration from 1992's Totally Hair Barbie, wearing a custom multicoloured dress by Pucci, with Chanel jewellery and a pink Chanel bag. AFP; Mattel

• 

  Mexico City: Robbie wore a neon pink leather Balmain mini dress, adding a star-shaped belt and earrings to channel 1992's Earring Magic Barbie. EPA; Mattel

• 

  Sydney: The actress paid homage to Barbie’s 1959 black-and-white swimming costume in a striped Herve Leger bandage dress. Photo: Warner Bros; Getty

• 

  Sydney: For a Barbie party, the actress wore a blush pink chainmail Versace mini dress. WireImage

• 

  Sydney: Robbie in vintage Versace from the Italian fashion house's autumn/winter 1994 collection for a Barbie celebration party. Getty Images

• 

  Los Angeles: The star wore a hot-pink mini dress by Valentino on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Getty Images

• 

  Las Vegas: To promote the film at CinemaCon, the actress wore a two-piece pink-and-white chequered look by Prada, adding bright pink Christian Louboutin heels. WireImage

• 

  London: For the UK premiere, Robbie channelled Enchanted Evening Barbie from 1960 in a custom Vivienne Westwood gown. Photo: Getty Images / Mattel

• 

  Los Angeles: The actress wore Schiaparelli couture in homage to the 1960's Solo in the Spotlight Barbie. Photo: EPA / Mattel