I’m A Barbie Girl: Celebrating Black Barbie and Vogue’s All-Black Issue Anniversary
To celebrate 50 years of Barbie and the anniversary of Italian Vogue’s iconic July 2008 “all-black” issue, Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, has decided to re-release the “all-black” issue with a special supplement showcasing only black Barbie dolls. Our old friend Barbie is experiencing some new changes this year with Mattel's new line of African-American Barbie dolls, "So In Style" which has just been released.
Barbie represents the true definition of a Superwoman. Among her various professions, Barbie has been a doctor, ballerina, flight attendant, and even a presidential candidate. In other words, Barbie can do, and has done it all.
In order to celebrate 50 years of Barbie and the anniversary of Italian Vogue’s iconic July 2008 “all-black” issue, Franca Sozzani, editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, has decided to re-release the “all-black” issue with a special supplement showcasing only black Barbie dolls. When asked about her decision Sozzani explained, “Barbie has been an icon for whole generations which is why I really wanted to give a strong sign in step with the times, and dedicate the anniversary issue to Black Barbie.”
July 2009 Italian Vogue, Barbie Supplement
The dolls included in the supplement are a part of Mattel’s newly-launched “So in Style” (S.I.S.) collection. The dolls in the line were designed by longtime Mattel designer Stacey McBride-Irby. Mc-Bride-Irby made a push for this new line of dolls after working on the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Barbie in 2007.
“I wanted to design more dolls for black women and have them represented in the Barbie world,” said McBride-Irby. “I wanted to offer authentic skin tones with fuller noses and lips to moms and girls at a more affordable option. I wanted them to have a doll that looks like them.”
Other than apparent physical modifications such as curlier hair, wider noses, and fuller lips, the “So in Style” collection is different than other black Barbie dolls because they include intelligent background stories for each doll. The dolls come in pairs of big and little sisters in order to encourage mentoring relationships. There are three big sister/ little sister doll combinations in the collection and each come with a flair for fashion and both fun and scholarly interests. For example, Kara and her little sister, Kianna, are interested in art while Trichelle and her sister, Janessa, like to play the violin.
The line reflects the diversity of skin color among black women, which lends hand to Mattel’s efforts to create more ethnically correct dolls. Mattel’s interest in creating more diverse Barbie dolls goes back several decades. In 1967, Mattel released an African American version of their popular Francie doll. The doll was unpopular and did not sell well because it was produced using the existing molds of its Caucasian counterpart. The “Colored Francie” doll was released in two variations. The first variation had rust colored eyes and shoulder-length brown hair with a gentle flip while the second variation has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair with a slight wave.
However, the controversial “Colored Francie” doll is not considered the first black Barbie. That title goes to the Christie doll, which was released in 1968. Christie had more realistic ethnic features and came with light brown skin and dark brown hair in a wavy bubble cut. The first official Black Barbie was finally released in 1980 along with the first official Hispanic Barbie.
First “Colored Francie”, Second “Colored Francie”, “Christie” doll
In 1997, Mattel was publicly chastised because of the release of Oreo Fun Barbie. The doll was marketed has a playmate with whom girls could share “America’s favorite cookie”. Per tradition, Mattel created both a white and a black version of the doll. Critics of Oreo Fun Barbie argued that in the African-American community, Oreo is a derogatory term meaning that a person is, “black on the outside and white on the inside.” The unsold stock of the doll was soon recalled by the company.
Though Mattel has faced some backlash during its attempts to create a more diverse line of Barbie dolls it was the only toy company that produced ethnic-specific molds for their African-American dolls in the 1960s. So, thank you, Mattel for trying to ensure that even black girls can be Barbie girls because everyone knows that, “life in plastic, [is] fantastic.”
13 Comments
Add your own
n croquet luxury watch at blackness. Oris is a esteemed designer cheap handbags Swiss watch-making powerhouse, which carries on through individual century of buy handbags online n croquet luxury watch at blackness. Oris is a esteemed buy watches replica Swiss watch-making powerhouse, which carries on through individual century of designer watches for less n croquet luxury watch at blackness. Oris is a esteemed swiss watches for sale Swiss watch-making powerhouse, which carries on through individual century of watches for cheap n croquet luxury watch at blackness. Oris is a esteemed Bally handbags Swiss watch-making powerhouse, which carries on through individual century of hermes handbags knockoffs
wedding dresses
May 18th 11
03:20 AM
A replica of Kate Middleton’s wedding dress was on display at at the Invercargill’s Farmers department store, yesterday. wedding dresses 2011
The dress, on a New Zealand-wide tour, was made by Auckland bridal wear designer Jane Yeh and her team of five seamstresses on the night of the royal wedding.
Ms Yeh saw the dress on television and the internet and her team made it in 16 hours, without having a pattern to work from. cheap wedding dresses
The result was impressive, female visitors to the Invercargill store said yesterday. wedding dresses uk
Ms Payne, who popped into Farmers before work to look at the dress, said it was absolutely stunning. bridesmaid dresses uk
She believed it would lead to a new look for wedding dresses
klkk
Jun 8th 11
01:33 AM
Gucci Handbags line is the best choice when you shopping online. We provides you the best products with the best services and the best quality. There are several products are in hot sale. Like the Cheap Gucci Shoes which always follow the trend fashion and posses the exquisite craftsmanship. The Gucci Bags are designed luxuriously with silver and golden buckle and made from durable leather. With different colors and different fashionable appearance, various brands Gucci Wallets will add a fashionable twist to any look. It’s a right choice to go through our Sofia Gucci website, we are dedicate to help find your favoraite goods from Gucci Outlet line. Here, you can enjoy our considerate.P90x
werereqqqqll
af001
Jun 13th 11
12:09 AM
インターネットで調べてカーデに関する情報を集めてアバクロいけば、率先して着たくなるかもしれませんよ。カーデは使い勝手の良いアバクロ 店舗ファッションアイテムなので、一着や二着は持っておきたいでアバクロ 銀座 セールす。一つのカテゴリーとして、もはやカーデは成立していません。例えば、ジーンアバクロ 銀座 価格ズと言って履くための一本を探すようなもアバクロ 通販のです。カーデを扱っているブランドは、洋服を扱っているのなら大半が該当するのアバクロ サイズではないでしょうか。アメリカのカジュアルファッションアバクロ福岡ブランドで、カジュアルとなればカーデの存在に期待できます。唐突ですが、アバクロとホリスターいうブランドをご存知でしょうか。実際カーデを扱うブランドは非アバクロホリスター常に多く、街を見渡せば真夏を除いて結構な確率で見掛けるでしょう。アバホリスター 日本クロファッションの特徴としては、カジュアル感にミホリスター サイズリタリーなテイストを加えておりカーデも例に漏れません。この手のファッションホリスター 公式が好きな方にとって、アバクロのカーデはジャストフィットではないでしょうか。
VSV3
Cheap Oakley Sunglasses
Jun 20th 11
02:15 AM
Welcome to our website. Oakley sunglasses are one of the best selling brand sunglasses around the world. Armani sunglasses constantly strives to support those qualities by reinventing the concepts of comfort fit and style. Today, Versace sunglasses along with athletes like Lance Armstrong and Brian Lopes, Fendi sunglasses we continue to redefine it.Make a large selection of Ray ban sunglasses at low price from Cheap Oakley Sunglasses
byasi
Jun 21st 11
03:02 AM
He brought his new masterpiece birkenstock sandals sale which is in high quality and amaizng design.
The men do not have high heels to wear, they choose to wear comfortable shoes like birkenstock clearance , which makes them relaxed in the parties!
birkenstock clogs alway show my tast in all kind of parties.
It was a big day yesterday for theNFL jerseys movies and fashion fields.
xbsdf
jintu
Jun 27th 11
08:47 PM
r radiator grills and is bordered by a black flange. fake herve leger The movement bridges and plates are clothed with ruthenium, whilst replica louboutin shoes r radiator grills and is bordered by a black flange. high heel sandals The movement bridges and plates are clothed with ruthenium, whilst classics peep toe pumps r radiator grills and is bordered by a black flange. ed hardy clothing The movement bridges and plates are clothed with ruthenium, whilst ed hardy clothing r radiator grills and is bordered by a black flange. discount sterling silver jewelry The movement bridges and plates are clothed with ruthenium, whilst sterling silver jewelry wholesale
wholesale1255
Jun 28th 11
05:40 AM
vêtements femmes victorienne. En été, maillot de bain choisissez des tons plus clairs afin robe de mariée de vous tenir air cool et confortable. robe de soirée Laissez les tonalités plus foncées pour l’hiver. robe sexy Les tissus naturels sont également idéal pour l’été, sacs alors n’hésitez pas à acheter un sommet de coton peu, sac à main pantalons et robes. Les jupes sont idéales, patron robe bustier peu importe la forme que votre corps est aussi long que vous vous Jeu de Rôle souvenez que la largeur ne robe kabyle moderne dépasse jamais la hauteur de la jupe. vêtement pas cher
jintu
Jun 29th 11
03:27 AM
ngraved logo—a very nice touch. The other Planet models are ed hardy clearance also available in Lady-blu size, and all can be purchased ed hardy ngraved logo—a very nice touch. The other Planet models are christian louboutin sale also available in Lady-blu size, and all can be purchased christian louboutin patent platform pump ngraved logo—a very nice touch. The other Planet models are jewelers also available in Lady-blu size, and all can be purchased designer jewelry ngraved logo—a very nice touch. The other Planet models are replica designer blue suede boots with stud also available in Lady-blu size, and all can be purchased louboutin lace bootie
jintu
Jul 1st 11
09:06 PM
nt of budget, they can just go to replica Gucci pandora jewelry sale watches for replacement. A large number of them are crafted Cartier Necklaces nt of budget, they can just go to replica Gucci red soles shoes watches for replacement. A large number of them are crafted cheap christian louboutin shoes nt of budget, they can just go to replica Gucci herve leger pink dress watches for replacement. A large number of them are crafted herve leger top nt of budget, they can just go to replica Gucci ed hardy clothing watches for replacement. A large number of them are crafted ed hardy clothing
liujunchina
Jul 6th 11
01:18 AM
oakley sunglasses sku#32-275
oakley sunglasses,
cheap oakley sunglasses,sale oakley sunglasses,oakley sunglasses sale,
sunglasses oakley,oakley sunglass,designer sunglasses,discount sunglasses,wholesale sunglasses,
oakley sunglasses online,Oakley Antix,Oakley Gascan,Oakley Hijinx,Oakley Jury,Oakley Monster Dog,
Oakley Scapel,Oakley Straight Jacket,Oakley Active Sunglasses,Oakley Fives,Oakley Flak Jacket,
Oakley Jawbone,Oakley Juliet,Oakley Life Sunglasses,Oakley M Frame,Oakley New Arrivals,
Oakley New Popurzed,Oakley Oil Drum,Oakley Radar Path,Oakley Radar Range,
Oakley Radar Xl Blades,Oakley Rig,Oakley Sideways,Oakley Sport Sunglasses.
liujunchina
Jul 6th 11
01:18 AM
xiaoxiao
Jul 7th 11
08:12 PM
Our coach messenger bags on the Internet, you can buy discount coach bags , cheap coach bags , etc., as head coach, replica coach bags .. etc. All products are displayed in our coach diaper bags . In the design, all the bags by famous designers, as the factory, we store all the procedures to check to ensure that genuine quality products. These bags are made of genuine leather with excellent workmanship, you will find it very economical. It has an excellent succession of shoulder or hand, they bring convenience. When you enter our coach bags on sale , you can see the shiny new things. Come on, our exports look forward to your arrival store and choose any type of souvenirs.
rtgvsxrfzaq
jintu
May 6th 11
09:21 PM