Name: AKA Centennial Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 2008 (designed by Stacey McBride-Irby) Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Brown rooted upswept hairdo with sideswept bangs/brown painted eyes/closed mouth Clothes: Sleeveless salmon pink gown has gold trim crisscrossing the bodice and around the waist. Apple green diamond-shaped fabric centers the bodice and flows downContinue reading “AKA Centennial Barbie”
Category Archives: modern black dolls
Byron Lars In the Limelight Barbie
Photographs courtesy of Telisa Spain Name: In the Limelight Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 1997 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black rooted hair styled up in an array of curls, brown painted eyes, closed smiling mouth Clothes: This doll wears a velvety gown of rich chocolate brown that is boldly accentedContinue reading “Byron Lars In the Limelight Barbie”
Shani and Friends Video
Please enjoy The Marvelous World of Shani: Mattel’s First “Ethnically Correct” Black Dolls video below. Tidbits and detailed history of the Shani line and other Black friends of Barbie throughout the past four decades are discussed and illustrated. _________ Your comments are valued. Donations aid the initiative to preserve Black-doll history. If you subscribe to DeeBeeGee’sContinue reading “Shani and Friends Video”
Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls
Name: Soul Train Shani, Asha, Jamal, and Nichelle Made by and When: Mattel, 1993 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle) and 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Shani and Nichelle have rooted long black hair; Asha has auburn rooted hair. Jamal has sculpted black hair/painted brown eyes/smiling mouths with painted appearance of teeth. Clothes:Continue reading “Shani and Friends Soul Train Dolls”
Shani and Her Friends
Name: Shani and Her Friends Asha, Nichelle, and Jamal Made by and When: Mattel, 1991 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches (Shani, Asha, and Nichelle); 12 inches (Jamal) Hair/Eyes/Mouth: All three have rooted, wavy textured hair with bangs. Shani and Nichelle have long black hair; Asha has long auburn hair. Their large eyes are painted brown.Continue reading “Shani and Her Friends”
Sunsational Malibu Christie
Name: Sunsational Malibu Christie Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Brown below-the-shoulder-length curly hair, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow one-piece, orange-trimmed bathing suit; mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: An illustration of a doll with the Steffie head sculpt is on the lower bottomContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Christie”
Sunsational Malibu Ken
Name: Sunsational Malibu Ken (1st Black Ken) Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 12 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black-rooted Afro, brown-painted eyes, closed mouth Clothes/Accessories: Yellow swim trunks with orange trim, mirrored aviator sunglasses, and a beach towel Other: Often referred to as “Afro Ken” because it is the first Black KenContinue reading “Sunsational Malibu Ken”
Magic Curl Barbie
Name: Magic Curl Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 1981 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Dark brown curly hair that can be “straightened”, brown-painted eyes, slightly parted lips Clothes/Accessories: Yellow full-length dress with puffed sleeves and a sash, a white hair ribbon, a yellow towel wrap, high-heel mules, one each small andContinue reading “Magic Curl Barbie”
Yara Shahidi Barbie
Name: Yara Shahidi Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, 2020 Material: Vinyl, Made to Move Petite body Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair, Eyes, Mouth: Black curly textured hair, brown painted eyes and eyelashes, smiling mouth with painted teeth Clothes: Yara Shahidi Barbie wears a gray tweed-ish pants suit, a white tee with VOTE printed on theContinue reading “Yara Shahidi Barbie”
Venus and Serena Williams
Photographs courtesy of Telisa Spain and John (ebay seller oxy–moron) Name: American Champions Venus and Serena Williams Made by and When: Play Along, 2000 (released in 2001) Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: Rooted hair with multiple braids/painted brown eyes/smiling mouths with painted teeth Clothes: Venus: Tennis dress has white halter straps, a red bodiceContinue reading “Venus and Serena Williams”
DeeBeeGee's Virtual Black Doll Museum™ 