This October, Barbie made history with her first-ever Diwali doll, designed by Anita Dongre, embodying the spirit of the Festival of Lights and showcasing a representation of Indian heritage while continuing to evolve as a symbol of inclusivity and cultural celebration.
In October 2024, Mattel (headquartered in El Segundo, California) announced the release of their first-ever Diwali doll, who is adorned in a Festival of Lights look. This Barbie, designed by Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre, sold out online in less than 24 hours. The Diwali festival symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Mattel described the doll as "perfectly radiant in her Moonlight Bloom set, with a choli top and skirt lush with dahlias, jasmines, and an Indian lotus representing strength and beauty."
Dongre expressed her excitement about the collaboration in an Indian Vogue interview, stating, "This Barbie Diwali doll represents the fashion-forward modern woman, who wears India on her sleeve with pride. I'm honored for this opportunity to represent contemporary Indian fashion on a global platform and hope it inspires kids across the world to connect with their culture and heritage." By incorporating elements of Indian clothing such as traditional floral prints and modern accessories like chandbali earrings and gold bangles, Dongre aims to empower girls and “represent the India of today”. This blend of tradition and modernity is a staple in Dongre’s designs.
Barbie has been a cultural icon and inspiration to young girls since the release of the first model in 1959. Within the first year of Barbie's release, 300,000 dolls were sold and the doll continues to be relevant today, especially with the 2023 release of the live action movie. The Barbie universe has continued to expand including countless Barbies, with various outfits, careers, and a diverse line of friends and family members.
Mattel's first Black doll, Barbie’s best friend Christie, was released in 1968, though the first ‘Black Barbie,’ designed by Kitty Black Perkins, was not released until 1980. Today, Mattel is known for creating dolls that celebrate diverse cultures and honor inspiring women and men the world over. Dolls are frequently released to align with cultural heritage months; a doll of Isabel Allende, a Chilean American author and human rights activist was released for Hispanic Heritage Month; Kristi Yamaguchi, a figure skating icon and the first Asian American to win a gold medal, for AAPI Month; and Madam C.J. Walker for their Barbie Inspiring Women Series.
This is not the first Indian Barbie released by Mattel. There have been a number of Barbies released since 1981, all of which were met with controversy due to inaccuracies in terms of description, clothing, appearance, and other accessories. This Diwali Barbie reflects the beauty and diversity of Indian identity but honors the rich cultural traditions, reinforcing the importance of representation for young girls around the world. While there have been critiques regarding the doll’s skin tone not being dark enough, it is acknowledged that this Barbie doll, in comparison to the previous Indian Barbies, features a darker skin tone, dark hair, and brown eyes.
Samantha Garcia participates in the Young Professionals Program at the East-West Center in Washington, DC. She is also a student at Ewha Womens University, acquiring her M.A. in Development Cooperation with concentrations in East Asia and Womens Studies.