Ex-Mattel boss behind Barbiemania pivots retailer towards more premium fashion after reopening UK stores Ex-Mattel boss behind Barbiemania pivots retailer towards more premium fashion after reopening UK stores F rom the 80s through to the early noughties it was the go-to high street store for casual hoodies and jeans, before falling out of favour. Now almost 30 years after its heyday, Gap is hoping to turn things around. Key to its comeback strategy? A pivot to more premium fashion. On Friday