Category Archives: modern black dolls

Maya Angelou Barbie Diorama

Maya Angelou Barbie Diorama (photos courtesy of Laila Johnson) Made by and When: Laila Johnson, 2021 Description: Laila Johnson collects Barbies and creates dioramas for them. She began making doll dioramas because she wants her dolls to have their own space to reflect their personality. Because Maya Angelou was a writer and poet, Johnson createdContinue reading “Maya Angelou Barbie Diorama”

Jean-Michel Basquiat X Barbie

Name: Jean-Michel Basquiat X Barbie Made by and When: Mattel, ©2019, released in 2020 Material: Articulated vinyl Height: 11-1/2 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth/Other: Black synthetic fibers were used for the hair that is styled in four sections of microbraids/brown painted eyes with blue eyeshadow and painted upper eyelashes/closed mouth with dark lip color/painted blue fingernails. Clothes: DressedContinue reading “Jean-Michel Basquiat X Barbie”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie

Designed by Artistic Director Emeritus Judith Jamison for Mattel, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Barbie celebrates the 50th anniversary of the AAADT. #AAADT #AlvinaileyAmericanDanceTheaterBarbie #Judithjamison

So In Style Dolls (First Wave)

Name: So in Style (S.I.S.) Two-Doll Themed Sets Made by and When: Mattel, 2009 Material: Vinyl Height: 11-1/2 and 5 inches Hair/Eyes/Mouth: All dolls have rooted hair with painted eyes and smiling mouths. Grace and Courtney have brunette ponytails with bangs. Kara has auburn hair styled in two side ponytails; Kianna is blonde with twoContinue reading “So In Style Dolls (First Wave)”

AKA Centennial Barbie

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”

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”