In a tragic incident in Italy, two prominent designers of Barbie, Mario Pagrino, 52, and Gianni Grossi, 48, were reportedly killed alongside two others in a head-on collision. Both vehicles were reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 80 mph.
The crash occurred when Pagrino and Grossi’s vehicle collided with an SUV driven by 82-year-old Egidio Ceriani, who had made a U-turn after missing a toll booth. This resulted in a devastating accident that also involved an Italian driver who sadly took his own life amid the chaos, as reported by La Repubblica.
Barbie’s official Instagram account honored the designers, calling them “two important artists whose works have forever shaped the world of dolls.”
The statement noted, “The Barbie team is heartbroken by the loss of Mario Pagrino and Gianni Grossi. Their passion and exceptional talent transformed every creation they touched into remarkable masterpieces. They brought a light to every space they occupied,” the post continued.
“Whether leading a doll convention in Milan or sharing their love for Barbie at exhibitions worldwide, their presence radiated warmth and joy,” the tribute concluded.
According to traffic authorities, Ceriani’s vehicle was reported to be exceeding 80 mph on the highway when the collision occurred.
Another couple involved in the crash recounted their experience, with one survivor expressing on Facebook, “We barely survived. It truly felt like a miracle,” reflecting on the close call they experienced.
A 38-year-old banker, Amodio Giurni, who was with Pagrino and Grossi, also lost his life in the accident. His wife, Silvia Moramarco, 37, was taken to a Milan hospital in critical condition.
Both couples were longtime friends who lived on the same street and had reportedly spent the day at the lake before this devastating incident, as noted by La Repubblica.
Pagrino and Grossi made history in 2006 as the first non-American designers to create souvenir Barbie dolls, introducing the Barbie film noir for the National Barbie Convention that same year.
The duo was also known for their unique one-off dolls inspired by renowned art, featuring works by Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Piet Mondrian, with one of their creations fetching around $15,000 at a charity auction in 2015.
