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." Dodging the controversy, McBride-Irby exclusively maintains to Black Voices why her new line of dolls should be the next present to the beloved little girl in your life:



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.