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| Designed by Kitty Black Perkins, the first Black Barbie was released to the market in 1980 (box date 1979; 20 years after the #1 Barbie debuted in 1959). The doll uses the Steffie head sculpt and has a curly Afro hairstyle. |
The above video is included in the article, Meet the Spartanburg Woman Who Designed Mattel's First Black Barbie by Anna B. Mitchell. Mattel's former Chief Designer for Barbie, Kitty Black Perkins, speaks about her career at Mattel. The article can be read here.
This year, Barbie turns 60.
Mattel has released dolls in celebration of the iconic doll's 60th anniversary (March 9, 2019). Stock photos of the black and white dolls are shown below.
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| 60th Anniversary Barbie |
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Well, Barbie is looking mighty fine for 60, proving that age is just a number!!! :D
ReplyDeleteMy cousin gave me a re-edition of that first Black Barbie. (I named her Diana...she reminds me of an early Diana Ross!) Thank you for sharing this because, I never knew a black woman designed her year before the arrival of Byron Lars.
It's good to know this post was informative for you. Kitty Black Perkins designs predate Lars by several years. The difference between Perkins' and Lars' association with Mattel is that Perkins was an employee; Lars was not. The Lars series was created under his supervision and were not necessarily wholly designed by him. I believe the dolls were based on his sketches. Some of the later dolls are noted to have been designed by staff designers, Sharon Zuckerman and Ann Driskill.
ReplyDeletedbg
*Kitty Black Perkins' designs predate...
DeleteI had the pleasure to meet Ms. Kitty Black Perkins at the 2018 Barbie Convention. I will NEVER forget it!!!! To meet her and hear her speak...#Priceless She is a TRUE ICON. In addition to the First Black Barbie, she has also designed tons of other dolls that we all know and love. I am sooo happy to see her get her well deserved SHINE on! -Kia
DeleteIt's wonderful that you were able to meet Ms. Perkins and hear her speak. You were in the presence of greatness.
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I have 6 older black Barbie dolls and want to sell them.
DeleteAnonymous February 23, 2024 - consider joining Barbie Facebook groups that allow selling or try to sell them on either eBay or Mercari. Good luck!
DeleteI have 6 older black Barbie dolls and want to sell them.
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