Mattel Celebrates 45th Anniversary of Black Barbie, Partners with Black in Fashion Council

In honor of Black History Month, Mattel is celebrating the 45th anniversary of the first Black Barbie, designed by Kitty Black Perkins, by partnering with the Black in Fashion Council (BIFC). This initiative aims to inspire young Black girls to explore careers in fashion design and address the underrepresentation of Black designers in the industry, who currently make up only 7.3%. The partnership features emerging designers Larissa Muehleder, Nia Thomas, and Fumi Egbon, who will highlight the barriers they face and share their experiences through interviews and interactive programs at the upcoming 2025 ENVSN Festival. Barbie's collaboration with BIFC intends to create pathways for aspiring designers and promote diversity in fashion. Additionally, a new limited-edition Black Barbie and a themed apparel line celebrating Black History Month have been launched. The initiative emphasizes Barbie's commitment to fostering creativity and empowerment for future generations of designers.