Comments on: So In Style Barbie

By: Ke-Jia

Ke-Jia — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:42:11 +0000

I think this is quite interesting and I do like on top of the facial features you’ve mentioned, the varying skin tones. The whole issue of lighter vs. darker skin tones have played a role not only in America but also places like Jamaica (and I’m sure parts of Asia with lighter vs darker) and it’s nice to see they’ve taken to reflect that in the dolls.

By: Josette

Josette — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:28:52 +0000

Thank you so much for the comments ladies!

Yes Sandy, I thought it was very important to talk about Barbie in terms of it’s social context….I love that there’s a black version but really, there’s still some way to go. I try not to buy dolls for kids that aren’t reflective of they’re own culture..but I think it’s fun Mattel made them fashionable and cute!

By: Gloria

Gloria — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 02:17:52 +0000

Hey Katy – they’re gorgeous but they’re expensive! I was never a Barbie kid for some reason though, there was something about the plastic that turned me off. Was more of a plush animals kid :)

And thanks for your comments Sandy, I always love those insights that you have and the backgrounds that you provide ;) Thanks so much for taking the time to write it out!

Asian Barbie next, please!

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:49:01 +0000

Hey Josette! I think it’s SO GREAT that you brought up Barbie in terms of it’s social context FIRST instead of the fashion part. I’m so glad that you pointed out the features of this new Barbie resembling closer to it’s actual ethnicity rather than just producing “brown” Barbies, as you’ve pointed out.

I definitely agree with you that this black Barbie SHOULD have dreadlocks or ‘fros and even some traditional outfits (did you know Indian Barbie wears a sari? They were forced to re-brand after American Barbie didn’t do so well in India! UNFORTUNATELY, Indian Barbie is still white. :| There’s some other story behind it, but I’m getting off-topic.. :P) with lesser-Americanized names, but as you said, it takes time! Hurray! Let’s continue moving one step forward, Mattel! Although I am not too fond of the Barbie phenomenon because of what it represents, I agree that if little girls MUST play with Barbies, they shouldn’t be brainwashed into the stereotypical, “idealized” image of the “universal woman.” :)

By: Katy

Katy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:45:29 +0000

I was in Toys R’ Us recently looking for a present for a little girl and I was in the Barbie section and totally fell in love with them. I want to start collecting Barbie dolls because some of them are just so pretty (fashion-wise). My parents rarely bought toys for us when we were little and the 3 Barbie’s I had were all gifts but they each only had one shoe because I kept on losing them.