Vogue Italia's Black Barbie Issue

To celebrate the success of Vogue Italia's "Black Issue" last year, editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani has come up with a new issue featuring black Barbie dolls and calls it the "most iconic edition."


"Barbie has been an icon for whole generations which is why I really wanted to give a strong sign in step with the times, and dedicate the anniversary issue to Black Barbie," says Sozzani.

The magazine recalls how the first black doll was introduced as a friend of Barbie called Francie in 1967. To celebrate Barbie's 50th anniversary, this autumn will feature black Barbies through the launching of the So In Style dolls designed with "more authentic-looking black features" - facial sculpt with fuller lips, wider nose, distinctive cheek bones, and curlier hair.

The black Barbies are believed to reflect today's recognition of black models. Senior Vice President Richard Dickson says "Barbie has been a mirror of the times for 50 years and continues to reflect the trends and interests of the day."


But while Vogue Italia has been praised for it's so-called recognition of the presence and importance of black people in the fashion industry, some question why the magazine just have to publish a yearly "Black Issue" for the black models and not include them in its EVERY issue.

As for the black Barbies, it's a good reminder that beauty lies in diversity. Little girls will not be made to believe that they have to be white, blond, and blue-eyed to be beautiful. The black Barbies will discourage racism and encourage healthy body images. However, Vogue is still criticized for featuring so much lingerie and fetish-wear on black Barbies - going back again to that issue of black women as mere exotic creatures, often overly sexualized in the media.

Still, Vogue Italia has to be complimented for its pioneering efforts to feature diversity in fashion magazines through the black supermodels and the black Barbies. There may be questions that are not yet resolved but the intention is basically good. As for the criticisms, hopefully the fashion industry will work towards that aspired diversity, one step at a time.

50 Dresses For 50-Year Old Barbie

Barbie will turn 50 on March 9 and for her golden anniversary, she receives a fabulous gift of 50 frocks designed by today's top fashion designers.


The celebrant will receive a red carpet-worthy gown from Marchesa. From Diane von Furstenberg, there's a hot-pink wrap dress. From designer Betsey Johnson, Barbie will look hip in an outrageous green party dress. With Nicole Miller, she will be clad in a checkerboard trapeze dress and swing coat. Carmen Marc Valvo will dress Barbie in a frothy black strapless cocktail dress with pleats. Tommy Hilfiger, on the other hand, will design a hand-beaded white minidress for the famous doll.

Needless to say, the designs reflect the personal experiences that the fashion designers had with the celebrated doll. As Carmen Marc Valvo puts it, “She's an American icon, and there has to be an interesting association between play and Barbie, and creativity and fashion.”

The 50 fabulous creations that designers have for birthday girl Barbie will be featured in her New York Fashion Week catwalk debut on Saturday.

Aside from the success that Barbie had achieved, there's much to the most popular doll that the company Mattel should be grateful for. One of them is the fact that Barbie is made of plastic and that she will be forever youthful and can easily change her style to suit the changing fashion trends.

And thank God Barbie is a doll! Otherwise, she would have to undergo many medical procedures like breast implants and botox just to strut down the runway at the age of 50.