February 25, 2025
The doll’s anniversary look pays tribute to its unique design created by Kitty Black Perkins.
To have fun the forty fifth anniversary of the primary Black Barbie, Mattel has launched a particular version of the prized doll, honoring its designer, Kitty Black Perkins.
Perkins designed the unique Black Barbie in 1980, marking an inclusive model of the legendary toy. In tribute to her invaluable contribution to the Barbie Model, the dolls pay tribute to Perkin’s imaginative and prescient.
The 2025 doll celebrates the wealthy heritage of Black Barbie via her darkish brown pores and skin and voluminous curly hair. The doll’s gown takes inspiration from its predecessor with its brilliant pink colour and off-shoulder design. The doll’s equipment embrace a gold cuff bracelet with a shiny pink lip and heels to complete the look. The toy symbolizes magnificence and satisfaction in a single’s options, a theme applied since Perkin’s inaugural design.
Perkins studied vogue design at Los Angeles Commerce Technical School earlier than turning into the principal designer for Barbie in 1978. Two years later, Perkins pioneered the groundbreaking iteration of Barbie, representing Black ladies worldwide.
“I wished to create a doll that Black kids might see themselves in,” defined Perkins of her legacy, reshared by WBLS.
All through her 28-year profession at Mattel, Perkins amplified range and its significance for younger kids. She additionally contributed to the event of the “Shani and Associates” line of Black dolls within the Nineteen Nineties. Her impression led to a documentary on Black Barbie and what the doll’s introduction symbolized for Black ladies.
“Black Barbie was within the background of my childhood,” defined Ameirah Saafir, Ph.D., an adolescent research professor and commentator within the movie, as reported by the Fullerton Observer. “Black Barbie, she’s not only a doll. She’s a cultural icon that impacts illustration and toys in media and what it means for id growth and private growth to see any individual that appears such as you.”
The primary Black Barbie additionally led to different Signature dolls that mark the achievement of Black ladies figures. From Aaliyah to Misty Copeland, the dolls encourage ladies of colour to try for his or her best ambitions.
Simply in time for Black Historical past Month, the doll honors Perkins’ storied historical past of prioritizing range at Mattel. The forty fifth anniversary Black Barbie is on sale now at MattelCreations.com whereas provides final and can also be obtainable at collaborating Goal areas.
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