Mattel, Inc. recently announced this week that they will be celebrating Black History Month with a new partnership alongside the Black in Fashion Council.
Announced in a press release yesterday, the partnership will be aimed towards celebrating the work of three Black women making their way into and revolutionizing the fashion industry. Through conversations with these women, Barbie and BIFC will be releasing a podcast hosted by Blake Newby to inspire other generations interested in entering the career field of fashion design. Topics set to be explored include barriers to the job world and how to address them.
The three women set to be spotlighted through the partnership are the founder of the fashion brand Muehleder, Larissa Muehleder; the founder of Fumi, Fumi Egbon and the founder of a sustainable fashion company, Nia Thomas.
Through the partnership, Barbie and BIFC will also offer custom programs for kids, teens and young designers. Set to be held at the 2025 ENVSN Festival, an event that brings attendees ranging from the ages of 12 to 27 together to interact with industry professionals, the programs will include workshops and panels.
“The Black in Fashion Council is proud to team up with Barbie in support of their mission to inspire limitless possibilities for girls. We founded BIFC with a vision of an equal workforce across the fashion and beauty industry – knowing there are countless obstacles designers face during their careers – especially at the start,” said the co-founder of BIFC, Sandrine Charles, per a press release. “By using the Barbie brand’s global platform to celebrate Nia Thomas, Fumi Egbon, and Larissa Muehleder’s stories while also providing resources to overcome the direct barriers they encountered, we hope to empower aspiring young designers and lessen those potential barriers for the next generation.”
Mattel is also set to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the first-ever Black Barbie doll with a new collectible.
Debuted in 1980, the doll was created by trailblazer Kitty Black Perkins, who became a principal designer for the company two years after joining in 1976. Created to diversify the brand, Perkins emphasized the need to have representation for children by making the first Black Barbie to have the name of the doll herself.
Previously, Black dolls made by Mattel were created to be marketed as the friends of Barbie. Modeled after Diana Ross, the doll was dressed in a red gown alongside gold and red accessories.
To commemorate the doll, the newest collectible will pay homage with a red gown featuring a satin skirt and a sweetheart neckline, as well as red heels and a gold bracelet to honor the 1980s style.
“Throughout my 28-year career there, I was steadfast in my dedication to advancing representation within the toy aisle, ensuring every young child had the chance to see themselves in Barbie,” said Perkins. “We have made significant strides since the first Black Barbie doll in 1980, and I’m proud to say Barbie continues to represent the broadest range of stories, careers, and backgrounds of dolls on the market.”
