Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

When it comes to toys, every child wants to feel like they matter and that they have role models to look up to. It’s really no surprise that when playing with dolls or action figures, we prefer them to look like us, no matter our race, ethnicity, or background. It helps with immersion. It helps foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity.

In order to make black girls feel more represented, Mattel has created a line of 10 new Barbie dolls. And it just so happens to coincide with Black History Month which is celebrated each February in the United States.

Barbie’s parent company Mattel collaborated with talented costume designer Shiona Turini to create a new line of realistic dolls with different skin tones, hairstyles, and even body types. In other words, Barbie dolls just got a whole lot more inclusive.

More info: ShionaTurini.com | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram (Barbie Style)

Costume designer Shiona Turini partnered up with Barbie to create the new line of dolls

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Image credits: shionat

The dolls have different hairstyles, skin tones, and body types

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Image credits: shionat

According to the designer, this made her childhood dreams come true

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Image credits: shionat

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Image credits: shionat

Designer Turini was over the Moon that Barbie approached her for this project. She noted that her “childhood dreams” came true.

“My vision was to style diverse and realistic Barbie dolls in bold looks with themes seen throughout my work, like contrasting snakeskin and leopard, challenging traditional uniformity. I grew up obsessed with Barbie and while she was one of my first fashion icons, I clearly remember searching shelves for girl’s toys that looked like me and coming up empty-handed,” she wrote on Instagram.

Barbie recently brought back the very first black doll they made for its 40th anniversary

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Image credits: barbie

What most inspired her was the very first black Barbie which was released in 1980. The doll wore a sparkling red dress and had an Afro. Mattel recently brought this doll back for its 40th anniversary.

Mattel has been doing more and more inclusive Barbie makeovers. Recently, it released a gender-neutral doll, created the Barbie Wellness line, and created Judge Barbie.

Back in 2018, in time for International Women’s Day, Mattel unveiled a line of 17 dolls from diverse backgrounds to celebrate extraordinary women, aka ‘sheroes.’ Among the women that Barbie looks up to are Amelia Earhart and Frida Kahlo.

Some people shared their thoughts about Barbie dolls and inclusivity

Barbie Released 10 New Dolls To Make Black Girls Feel More Represented

Storytelling, journalism, and art are a core part of who I am. I've been writing and drawing ever since I could walk—there is nothing else I'd rather do. My formal education, however, is focused on politics, philosophy, and economics because I've always been curious about the gap between the ideal and the real. At work, I'm a Senior Writer and I cover a broad range of topics that I'm passionate about: from psychology and changes in work culture to healthy living, relationships, and design. In my spare time, I'm an avid hiker and reader, enjoy writing short stories, and love to doodle. I thrive when I'm outdoors, going on small adventures in nature. However, you can also find me enjoying a big mug of coffee with a good book (or ten) and entertaining friends with fantasy tabletop games and sci-fi movies.

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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What do you think ?

POST

NeverGoWoke 4 years ago

What is wrong with some of you people? You want representation, Barbie give you representation but still complain about the representation not being good enough? Good lord, stop!

18points

tuzdayschild 4 years ago

Don't "you people" me! I am one black person and I represent only myself. Those dolls are fine as far as I'm concerned. But just like some white people, some Asian people and some of every other group people, there are some black people who complain no matter what. It's on you if they are the only ones you're listening to.

23points

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Lou Lopez 4 years ago

Holy f*****g s**t "Patron Saint," GTFOH with that language! I thought this comment section would be a f*****g dumpster fire, but using THAT slur is beyond that. That's f****d up. That's WRONG and it's just proof you're a trash person. I'm praying for an asteroid now.

3points

Grumble O'Pug 4 years ago

Incredibly callous and stupid. What a combo.

1point

Christina Uhlir 4 years ago

That's because there's no racism only in the doll world, not in real world.

-1point

John Smith 4 years ago

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Beamer Alert 4 years ago (edited)

Honestly, economically motivated or not, it's about time for this. I never saw myself in my blonde/blue-eyed Barbie dolls when I was a kid (which might be a good thing since I could never keep them intact), but I guess there's just... something about being recognized as a valid type of human being.

14points

Blood Queen🖤❤️🩸 4 years ago

beautiful

10points

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NeverGoWoke 4 years ago

What is wrong with some of you people? You want representation, Barbie give you representation but still complain about the representation not being good enough? Good lord, stop!

18points