So-In-Style Barbies: the black Barbies that are no longer sidekicks

I've been posting a lot recently about the politics surrounding girls' toys -- about what representions of girls are available, about what is missing, and about how we can move forward and provide girls with positive representations of girls/women that embrace a celebration of being a girl without limiting the idea about what a girl should be.

So I was pretty interested when I came across this article about a new line of Barbies being released this summer. The "So-In-Style" Barbies were created by designer Stacey McBride-Irby, an African American woman who wanted to see Barbies on the market that celebrated her community and remained true to African American features, like wider noses and fuller lips. In other words, no more "black Barbies" that are identical to the white Barbie but with a slightly darker skin tone! The dolls in the So-In-Style collection have a variety of skin tones, a spectrum of hair styles (ranging from curly ponytails to sleek styles to an Afro!) and a range of interests - one prefers journalism while another loves music and math, and yet another represents the cheerleader team.

Check out this video with McBride-Irby for an introduction to these beauties!

I must say that I think these dolls are pretty cute! I know that they of course do not solve all of the problems of representations in girls' toys (I know -- we still see few larger-sized dolls, for example), but it's cool to see women engaging with these issues and opening up more options for girls.

Thoughts?

xo, jessalynn

Barbie turns 50!

Today is the big 5-0 birthday for Mattel's iconic doll, Barbie. And since I've always been a total girly-girl, having a pretty impressive collection of the dolls growing up, hearing the hype about Barbie's big bash (rumor has it the Malibu dream house will be abuzz with celebs strutting the pink carpet outside) made me a bit nostalgic for afternoons spent surrounded by Barbies and my imagination.

There's no doubt that Barbie has been a controversial figure in the toy market since her inception in 1959. Sears apparently first refused to sell the doll because of her prominent breasts and sultry face. Feminist critique also changed the course of Barbie's life, from a stewdress to a pilot (just two of her 108 careers!), and in 1992 Mattel widened her waist to bring her proportions to a more "realistic" standard.

And while she may still be a "woman" of controversy (First year women's studies classes still talk about how, if Barbie was a real woman, she would not be able to stand because of her enormour breasts, tiny waist, and lack of body fat - yes, studies have been done!), there's no denying her place as a pop culture icon that has shown up in everything from make-up (last year MAC cosmetics ran a Barbie campaign) to music (remember, Aqua's 'Barbie Girl'?).... But perhaps most importantly, Barbie has been a source of fun and imagination for girls who not only idolized her, but also for those who have been known to give Barbie a mohawk or a homemade pen tattoo.

So here's to 50 more years of pretty plastic heels, dream houses, and infinite career possibilies, happy birthday Barbie!

xo, jessalynn