Madonna Honors Late Barbie Designer Superfans with ‘Dress You Up’ 40th Anniversary Release

On August 1, 2025, global pop icon Madonna paid tribute to the late Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi by re-releasing her classic hit “Dress You Up” in celebration of its 40th anniversary. The reissue, which includes a three-track digital edition featuring remixes and instrumental versions, is dedicated to the two acclaimed Barbie doll designers and Madonna superfans who lost their lives in a car accident in Italy on July 27, 2025 .

In a statement released alongside the new edition, Madonna’s team wrote: “With the tragic news this week of the passing of the doll designers and Madonna superfans Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, we dedicate this release to them. Thank you for dressing up so many of your creations in Madonna iconic looks over the years” .

Paglino and Grossi were renowned in the global Barbie collector and designer community for their imaginative, fashion-forward doll creations, many of which paid homage to Madonna’s most memorable outfits. Their work not only celebrated the boundary-pushing style of the Queen of Pop but also reflected the power of LGBTQ+ artistry to transform and inspire mainstream culture .

For many in the LGBTQ+ community, both Madonna’s music and the world of fashion dolls like Barbie have served as powerful forms of self-expression and sources of comfort, especially during times of adversity. The dedication of this release underscores how queer fans and artists have shaped—and been shaped by—the pop icons they revere.

Originally released in 1985 as the final single from the “Like a Virgin” album, “Dress You Up” became an enduring celebration of identity, glamour, and liberation—values deeply resonant within LGBTQ+ spaces . The new edition features a remix/edit, the 12” Formal Mix, and a Casual Instrumental Mix, inviting both longtime fans and new listeners to experience the song’s infectious spirit.

Madonna, now 66, has long been an advocate and symbol for LGBTQ+ rights, often crediting her queer fans for their unwavering support throughout her career. The reissue of “Dress You Up” on its milestone anniversary, now imbued with the memory of Paglino and Grossi, further cements her relationship with the LGBTQ+ community .

Tributes poured in from across the world following the announcement, with collectors, artists, and Madonna fans sharing their memories of Paglino and Grossi on social media. Many highlighted the designers’ generosity, creativity, and the safe, affirming spaces they helped foster for queer people and allies in the Barbie and fashion doll scene .

Their passing is a reminder of the importance of chosen family—a core concept within LGBTQ+ communities, where individuals often find kinship and solidarity through shared passions and mutual support.

This tribute arrives as Mattel prepares to launch “A Tribute to Fashion Barbie Doll #2” on August 5, a release that also celebrates the enduring intersection of fashion, queer creativity, and pop culture . The timing underscores how the legacies of artists and superfans alike continue to drive forward representation, visibility, and joy for LGBTQ+ people worldwide.

As fans revisit “Dress You Up” and remember Paglino and Grossi, Madonna’s gesture serves as both a celebration of queer legacy and a call to honor the creative spirits who make LGBTQ+ culture vibrant, resilient, and ever-evolving.