The Real Black Barbie
By: Lady Kinnks

Have you heard of the “So In Style” Barbie?
“So In Style” is a new project Mattel launched last month.  Christie, Barbie’s 1960s previously Black friend was a duplicate of Barbie painted brown.  Grace, Kara and Trichelle look very different with fuller lips, wider nose and more pronounced cheek bones.  These dolls mentor little sisters and are very career minded.  The dolls reflect varying skin tones of light brown, chocolate and caramel.  This is good right?

Well creator Stacey McBride-Irby says when playing with her 6-year old daughter, the highlight is playing with Barbie’s long her. 
The “So In Style” Barbie is a great step in the right direction, but incomplete.  The dolls have received mixed reviews because it ignored the HAIR factor. 

Being Black encompasses culture, facial features, color and hair.  One can be considered “Black” with just one.
To embracing Black pride, culture, facial features, color and hair should ALL be taken in effect.  In Stacy McBride-Irby’s defense, culture and hair was someone what incorporated in the launch of the dolls.

Trichelle, described by the creator as having the most attitude, has lighter skin, curly hair and is a part of the drill team.
Hmmm, I would have liked to see the dolls have all different textures of hair.  Straight, curly and kinky, even a doll with braids would have been ideal.  I would have also liked them not to emphasis the sub-hip hop and bling that is already mainstream and the main perception of Blacks.  I don’t really care for, or understand the clothes either.  Would it be to much to ask for a dark dark chocolate doll as well?

Again this is a step in the right direction.  It took Barbie years to go to school, have a career, and independence of Ken.  She use to just cook and watch kids for like fifty years.

What is confusing is the creator is wearing a shirt with a Black Barbie in an Afro, but yet none of the dolls look like the girl on the shirt. I want a doll that looks like the girl in the shirt!  Oh well…

Look at these beautiful doll customizations by independent artist

The Flying Ewe
 

   

       

  

Peace, Love and Shea Butter!!
~Lady Kinnks

November 2, 2009

For more on this story, follow the link. 

 

 

Comments (4)

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written by Royal Missez, February 23, 2010

WOW the natural dolls look way better than their black straight haired counterparts! and im not just saying dat because im natural im dead serious!

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written by LocdandLovely™, November 13, 2009

I love those dolls! I gotta find them.

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written by Miss Ket Ket, November 11, 2009

Wow the dolls at the bottom are beautiful, I would buy them in a heart beat

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written by GvannD, November 02, 2009

DANNGG!!! The dolls at the bottom look soo cute!!

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