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Citing her own positive experiences playing with Barbie dolls as a child, Stacey McBride-Irby, a Barbie designer for the past 12 years, has now created her own Barbie line, So In Style.
There used to be a time when African American dolls were hard to find; now, there are a number of offerings for black girls to play with, including So In Style, which further diversifies the offering. The So In Style line boasts a "positive play experience," where girls are not only inspired by their trendy playmates but are also exposed to a toy that actually mirrors their African American features.
The dolls, with their hip kicks, stylish poses and modern accessories (i.e., hoop earrings and neck chains), offer a contemporary cultural experience for girls.
According to a New York Daily News article, though, some of these "modernities" are not being wholeheartedly embraced. Some are arguing that the dolls draw on the wrong things and have too many "rap-inspired details":
"Not all black people like hip-hop," said Barbara Mootoo, 15, of Manhattan, looking at Kara's silver rope chain necklace. "They gave her a chain like a 50 Cent video."
Another feature being criticized is the long, flowing hair of each doll:
Tyaine Danclaire, 15, of the Bronx, liked Trichelle's straight, long hair because it looked like "a weave," but she thought the idea "was sorta racist."
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Black Barbies
Flip through black celebrity dolls through the years and the new So In Style dolls.
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BlackVoices.com
Black Voices: What inspired you to create these dolls?
Stacey McBride-Irby: Since I was a child, I used to play with Barbie, and Barbie was an inspiration to me to become a designer. I created these dolls because I also want African American girls to have positive play experiences, and I want African American girls to be fully represented.
BV: There are other African American dolls on the market. How are So In Style dolls different?
SMI: They are different because they reflect more of our hues and features, like broader noses and different skin tones, and then there is the mentoring aspect.
BV: You mention how mentoring is important. How do you represent this with your doll line?
SMI: I have big and little sisters play together in positive ways. Grace and Courtney are in to science and drill team. Kara and Kianna are into math and music, and Trichelle and Janessa are into art and journalism.
BV: How are these interests played out by the dolls?
SMI: On the back of every package, there are play pieces that come with each of those themes.
BV: Barbie has made a number of African American dolls over the years, some in the likeness of Oprah Winfrey and Diana Ross. There were also culture-inspired dolls, such as the Kwanzaa Collector Barbie Doll. Did your collection pull from any part of this legacy?
SMI: Yes, I designed the AKA doll. It came out in June 2008. They were these beautiful black dolls. After I designed that, it really inspired me to create more dolls that represent African Americans.
BV: You mention that Barbie dolls inspired you to be someone successful. What message do your dolls drive home?
SMI: Barbie helped me meet my dream of becoming a designer, and I want my dolls to also allow African American girls to play, create and aspire to meet their dreams.
BV: You also mention that you want your dolls to serve as role models. In what way?
SMI: Well, mentoring is important to me, so I thought that creating big and little sisters together would teach girls the importance of mentoring.
BV: When do your dolls come out?
SMI: They came out in July, but they hit major yesterday. The big sister can be purchased for $19.99 and the little sister can be purchased for $7.99.
BMI: Why should moms buy your dolls?
SMI: Moms should get my dolls because the dolls represent their children and show them they can be anything.
Comments: (632)
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By: alexander on 10/02/2009 10:57AM
People should really find out the details before a comment is made. I
think it is ridiculous that this article was written. There is
absoluting nothing racist about these dolls. They represent young
college educated black girls with their sisters NOT their children.
Why are negative comments from 15 year old girls being added for this
article and no positive comments. Fifteen year old girls are most
definiting not playing with dolls. These dolls are meant to collect
or play with and surely a 15 year old is not playing with them. With
the limited products out there that ACTUALLY represent black beauty
and TRUE black culture, people should really stop complaining about
such silly things. Did a black person even write this article, if not
shut up.
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By: vivian on 10/02/2009 11:07AM
If you read the story, the younger Barbie is a LITTLE SISTER!
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By: Heather on 10/02/2009 11:14AM
IT'S NOT A BABY you need to read it again it's her little SISTER
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By: danielle on 10/02/2009 11:17AM
If you actually read the article, it clearly states that the kid dolls are the older dolls' kid sister. She wanted to represent family and mentoring. If you are going to drw conclusions, at least read the whole article first.
I don't find this offensive in any more ways than the fact that most barbies are representing a perfect bodied, blonde bombshell. All of this crap about dolls misleading children aggravates me.
They're just toys people!
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By: Toni on 10/02/2009 11:35AM
There is a black Dr. Barbie. White Barbie comes with a little girl too & no husband in the box. It doesn't mean they are fatherless. I think sometimes, we as blacks can be too critical. It's not like they took a white doll & painted his or her face in "black-face" We come in all shapes,sizes and shades. Barbies have always been styled according to the times "punk-rock, rap etc. it doesn't have to be racist, it's just to our children a variety to choose from. When I was growing up you had a hard time finding a African American doll anywhere. I think our natural, God-given features are beautiful, why make the doll have a small pointed nose when we all have different nose & hair, not everyone's hair is nappy & weaves/. wigs are in for all races. We're all a race.... the human race, we all have the same eventuality... death, which isn't racist.
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By: lrth4004 on 10/02/2009 11:37AM
OMG!!!!!!! Some ppl will find ANYTHING to whine about!! There is NOTHING racist about this doll. You look to hard! You want to find something so you can create an uproar. And the doll just came out. Give the designer time to add all the other things you want her to have. Like a husband, which barbie didn't have until YEARS after she was invented. And the little girl is her sister not her child. I honestly think the things that you find offensive are due to YOUR racist stereotypes and not everyone elses!!!
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By: Steph on 10/02/2009 11:43AM
Did YOU read the whole article or did you just LOOK at the pictures? THOSE are not their children they are their little sisters! Way to find something to b*tch about though when you didnt even take the time to read the whole article. You made YOURSELF seem unitelligent by your negative comments. Not everyone spews your stereotypes!
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By: nika on 10/02/2009 11:58AM
"Widening the nose, thickening the cakes and kinking her hair" actually is a step forward for Barbie. The Black barbie dolls used to look just like the white dolls just with dark skin. Like it or not these are features of black people so why not give your little girl a doll that looks like her when the white girls have one that looks like them with blonde hair, blue eyes, thin lips and pointy noses.
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By: sarah on 10/02/2009 12:33PM
Your ignorant!! I played with black barbies in the 60's and never thought once about their skin color. You are a racist. Get counseling.
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By: Diana on 10/02/2009 12:37PM
By: oldmev on 10/02/2009 6:37AM - It isn't the Barbie line, it's an independent line by a person who had worked on designs for Barbies.
If that is so, then Barbie will soon sue if this line does better than Barbie and demand that kids not get to play with what they want, but be forced to play with just Barbie! I will NEVER buy another Barbie after their lawsuit with Bratz! My daughter tossed all her barbies in a campfire and never wants another one again! It is pretty sad that Barbie can't handle competition....great lessons they taught our kids!
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