Barbie Goes Black: Iconic Doll Launches New Collection
@ Essence.com
POSTED: MAY 6, 2009
It’s 2009 and Barbie has a few new friends in her clique! For the first time in history, Mattel is launching a new African-American line of dolls called So In Style (S.I.S.). The new fly girls on the block: Grace, Kara and Trichelle are all BFFs who live for fashion. But the stylish trio are also grounded and mentor their little sisters Kianna, Courney and Janesa by introducing them to activities in art, music and sports. The designer of the collection Stacey McBride-Irby (illustrated above) is a talented Black woman who has designed for Mattel over a decade and also has a five year-old daughter.
The S.I.S. doll line features a more authentic-looking African-American doll from Mattel. The doll’s facial features include fuller lips, a wider nose, more distinctive cheek bones and curlier hair. ESSENCE.com spoke exclusively to McBride-Irby and here’s what she had to say about S.I.S, “Barbie inspired me to realize my dream of becoming a designer. I want to share that same excitement and experience with other African American moms and girls.” says McBride-Irby who also designed last year’s Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. centennial doll. The S.I.S. Barbie dolls will be available in June at select Target stores–BB
These dolls are designed by Stacey McBride-Irby. There will be three main characters by the names Grace, Kara and Trichelle who are big sisters to Kianna, Courney (sp? Courtney?) and Janesa (ok, that makes it six characters yes?)
Exciting stuff!!!
Tags: african american, mattel, so in style
That’s good news. I wonder when that would happen to Asian friends of Barbie
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Therese Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Hi Niel, thanks for stopping by
I wonder about what’s happening with the Asian friends of Barbie too!
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I love the fact that this is a Black, Mom, Wife and Friend who is creating history and setting forth a Beautiful and Inspiring example for young women! I love the concept behind who each doll is and what they represent!
BEAUTIFUL!!!
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Therese Reply:
June 16th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Hi D’Wana, thanks for commenting… would you have more information on this series of dolls? Trying to find new Mattel information is so hard!
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hi all, i JUST saw these dolls in Toys R Us here in Chicago! i had them in my hand and put them down for a few mere seconds and they were snatched up. i’ll need to check target tomorrow.
the dolls are beautiful and have great new head sculpts. each doll costs approximately $22 and comes with a little sister.
i did read the back story on the boxes and it stated that Grace was a friend of Barbie who moved to Chicago.
on a side note, back in the early 1990′s Mattel produced the Shani line which, i believe, included 3 female and 1 male doll. the Shani line was more about fashion, and even had a Soul Train line of clothing.
i think it’s wonderful that Mattel is finally stepping up and doing this.
thank you Mattel and thank you Stacey!
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Therese Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 3:32 am
are you serious??? do you have any photos? OMG OMG OMG!!!
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coye Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
well, info on the male doll, Jamal, can be found on this aweseom Ken site here (make sure you click to see the pictures):
http://www.manbehindthedoll.com/JAMAL.htm
the female dolls were Shani, Nichelle & Asha Dolls. there is a photo of the full beach set here:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/616L9Z6WYQL.jpg
I haven’t had much luck googling any further, but I figure it would help get a start on this trail.
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Therese Reply:
June 18th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Thanks for the links coye
Kim Reply:
July 4th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Yes, the 1st African American series were the Shani, Nichelle, Asha, and Jamal dolls. They were not successful at first because they were not on the same shelf as Barbie dolls. They success came later when the famous designer Bryon Lars used the female faces for his first series , the Runway series. Thanks
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[...] has just commented in the New “NEWS” about So In Style Dolls! post [...]
The Creator of the S.I.S talks about creating the dolls.
http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/activities/friends/soinstyle/index.aspx
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OMG!! I hav to hav these dolls i wil check a target as soon as i get in town!
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So In Style In Rocawear
http://www.jimmyjazz.com/lifestyle/blog/entries/look-rocawear-barbies-mattel
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the dolls are so cute and i want the darren doll soooo bad!! but i can’t find him anywere .
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