Rabat – Italian Fashion doll designers Mario Paglino and Gianni Gossi, who co-founded the iconic brand Magia 2000, have tragically died after their car was struck head-on by a driver travelling the wrong way on Italy’s A4 Turin-Milan highway.
On August 1, a joint Catholic funeral was held for the couple in Novara, Italy.
The crash occurred near the Marcallo-Mesero tollbooth on July 27, when Edigio Ceriano mistakenly drove over four miles in the wrong direction before colliding with their vehicle. Ceriano died at the scene.
Also killed in the crash was banker Amodio Valerio Giurni, while his wife, Silvia Moramarco), survived but remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Paglino and Grossi were not only recognized for their artistic talent but also for their creative activism. Their company, Magia 2000, crafted celebrity-inspired Barbie dolls featuring icons like Madonna, Cher, Lady Gaga, and Sophia Loren.
They produced work featured in Vogue’s “Black Barbie” issue and led the Italian Doll Convention, creating an enthusiastic community around designer dolls.
Following their passing, Mattel shared a heartfelt tribute on the official Barbie Instagram account.
“The Barbie team is heartbroken by the loss of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, two treasured creators and Mattel collaborators … As passionate and talented designers and lifelong collectors, their spirit and love for the brand turned every creation they touched into a masterpiece… their presence brought warmth, laughter, and a sense of belonging,” said the post.
In a deeply personal gesture, Madonna reissued her 1985 hit “Dress You Up” in a three-track digital release honoring its 40th anniversary, dedicated to Paglino and Grossi, who were known fans and often dressed Barbies in Madonna-inspired fashions.
The unexpected deaths of these creative partners, both in business and life, have left a profound void in the fashion doll world.
Their passion not only expanded Barbie’s cultural reach but also cultivated a global community where their legacy will continue to inspire collectors and designers alike.
