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.

Black Model Looks Like A Monkey?

One of Britain's top model, black beauty Jasmia Robinson has her own share of discrimination in the modeling industry as she revealed how a fashion agent once said that she looked like a monkey.

The 21-year old model added that she was “horrified and sickened” by the monkey jibe during a modeling audition, which had also rejected her.

In her words, “I was the only black model there. One of the people running the casting said to my agent that I looked like a monkey.”

Though jibed as a monkey, Jasmia Robinson remained confident of her looks. Her beauty has helped her win the runner-up title of Britain’s Next Top Model.

As to the discrimination of black models, however, the young model believed that modeling agencies were not doing enough to recruit talent from ethnic minorities.

She said, “There is even less opportunity if you are a young black girl. People at the agencies still categorize me as a black model. I am a model, not a black model.”