Nationwide — In celebration of Black History Month and the 45th anniversary of Black Barbie, Mattel has partnered with the Black In Fashion Council (BIFC). The collaboration honors Kitty Black Perkins, the creator and designer of the very first Black Barbie, with the release of a limited-edition Black Barbie, a 1980s-themed collection, and a Black History Month apparel line.The partnership with BIFC, announced on February 19, aims to inspire young Black girls to explore careers in fashion and design, according to BET.
In an Instagram post, Mattel Mattel paid tribute to Black Barbie’s creator, Kitty Black Perkins, who was the Chief Designer for Barbie and worked at Mattel for 28 years.
“Among her many contributions, showing the true power of representation in toys was perhaps her most impactful. Our anniversary tribute stuns in a scarlet look inspired by the original 1980s doll and is bound to be the showstopper of any collection,” it stated.
Lindsay Peoples, co-founder of BIFC, shared her excitement about the partnership, saying, “It has been so rewarding to witness our organization Black in Fashion Council drive long-lasting change in the fashion industry. Now we can add Barbie to our list of partners who share our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating more opportunities for future generations of Black designers.”
To mark Black History Month, the partnership highlights a group of influential designers, including Larissa Muehleder, Nia Thomas, and Fumi Egbon, each known for their unique contributions to fashion.
The limited-edition Black Barbie, along with the 1980s-themed collection and Black History Month apparel, is now available on Amazon.