Photo: Instagram/shionat
If you ever grew up to be obsessed with barbies and never find the one that personifies you as a young black kid, then this will definitely make your day. American stylist and a street style maven, Shiona Turini, have officially created black barbies with braids, waist-length twists, and super glorious afro hair to represent the black community.
As for Shiona, Barbie was one of her first fashion icons when growing up but unfortunately, there was nothing that looked like her after ‘searching shelves for a doll at the time.” In this case, Turni made a bold step and collaborated with Barbie Style to honor Black History Month as well as celebrate diversity through fashion. And the result is heavenly looking black barbies, clad in their red ensembles and African-inspired hairstyles.
Photo: Instagram/shionat
“Black Barbie dressed in…,” the fashion stylist wrote on Instagram. “I grew up obsessed with @barbie and while she was one of my first fashion icons, I clearly remember searching shelves for a doll that looked like me and coming up empty-handed.”
Although the first black Barbie was introduced in 1980, it is clear that the level of diversity was minimal. Shiona did amazing work, adding 5 more barbies to the first creation. Now there’s a barbie in a crop top and wide-leg pants, a barbie in a net dress with her super long ‘do, and another one in halter neck jumpsuit, sporting a voluminous white afro hair with her lookalike afro sister dressed in a wrap kind of a dress. She also recreated the old barbie seated like a queen mother in her sparkly red dress while surrounded by her new friends.
Photo: Instagram/shionat
“The first black Barbie was introduced in 1980 – in a sparkly red dress with an Afro pick in her hair.” the stylist continued. “Here she is, on her customized throne, surrounded by friends created and styled by me. I hope other young children, and adult Barbie lovers, are as excited to see themselves reflected in these dolls as I am. Thank you @barbiestyle – for collaborating with me to create barbies with braids, finger waves and everything in between. Chicks by the layers, all different flavors. And even a curvy doll, in a crop top, with waist-length twists.”
Photo: Instagram/shionat
What’s even more exciting about this is that the Bermuda-born beauty created a barbie out of herself. Just check out the one in a jacket and a pleated skirt. It’s a prototype of Shiona Turni, sporting her lustrous jumbo twist. “Baby Shiona is PROUD. Representation matters and I’m so grateful to be a part of this moment,” she added.
While this is an exciting development that’s taking a step to close the diversity gap, you should know that it makes the creator not only confident but empowered. “It was important for me to reflect on Barbie as an icon through the lens of black culture during Black History Month. I drew inspiration from the first black Barbie seated in her all-red look. I incorporated her into the lineup with no alteration and built new looks with inspiration from an outfit ➡️ that makes me feel confident and empowered,” she said.
