Dreamgirls

In 1967, "Francie", Barbie's politically correct black friend was born. Much later, in 1980, the world was given a black version of Barbie herself (I wonder if black Barbie and Francie got along? They would at least have shared an amused dislike of Ken for sure, particularly if Ken tried to go all wangsta on them).

In July 2008, Vogue Italia released its Black Issue, featuring only black models - the edition was designed to raise in the consciousness of the fashion world that fashion should embrace and celebrate diversity. As well as a celebration of diversity, it has become an excellent advertising platform for the next collector's edition black Barbie - So In Style - to be released by Mattel early next year. This year's July edition from Vogue Italia features the new black Barbies (designed to more authentically reflect the facial features of black women - I cringed typing that: black is the latest PC term for black, isn't it?). Anyway - here are some of the shots, including the cover.


What do you think? I like the idea of an all-colours edition as opposed to strictly black - black is a tad monochrome, don't you think? And the issue surrounding recognising diversity is kind of tired these days. I don't see anything particularly cutting edge about dressing a Barbie doll up - in the year of her 50th birthday when everyone is doing it anyway (albeit not a black Barbie except the celebrity dolls) - as part of what is clearly a calculated advertising push by the folk at Mattel. But I can't speak Italian, so I have no idea what they said about it in the edition. I'm just judging a book by its cover is all. Tut tut.