Barbie is teaming up with Black in Fashion Council to acknowledge and celebrate Black designers. Only a small percentage of the industry is made up of Black designers, and as a part of Barbie's dedication to celebrating people from all walks of life, Barbie recognizes Black History Month with various ways to celebrate and encourage young girls excited about joining the industry. Firstly, Barbie and Black in Fashion Council want to shine a light on three rising Black female designers: Nia Thomas, Fumi Egbon, and Larissa Muehleder. Secondly, Barbie's collaboration with Black in Fashion Council features creating a program meant for kids, teenagers, and young designers at the 2025 ENVSN Festival, an event devoted to empowering young women. Thirdly, Barbie is introducing a new doll. Lastly, Barbie is partnering with Aurora James.
The new 45th Anniversary Black Barbie doll was made in honor of Kitty Black Perkins, who, in 1980, designed the first-ever Black Barbie. Kitty Black Perkins worked at Barbie for twenty-eight years. The new doll is available now on Mattel's website. Otherwise, Aurora James founded and is the creative director of Brother Vellies. This partnership involved Aurora James collaborating with Barbie to design a feature for the BarbieStyle Instagram account. She also appeared on the Barbie Podcast.
Nia Thomas, Fumi Egbon, and Larissa Muehleder are each in leadership positions at their respective companies. Nia Thomas founded and is the creative director of the luxury resortwear label, Nia Thomas. Fumi Egbon owns Fumi the Label. Larissa Muehleder founded and is the creative director of the luxury fashion brand, MUEHLEDER. All of these successful women have explained the importance of individuality, artistry, and having a vision for their own brand and what that means for their demographics in their discussions with TV personality Blake Newby, who was brought on to help Barbie and Black in Fashion Council understand the journeys the designers went on, determine obstacles on the path to becoming a successful fashion designer, and offer advice for the next generation. Each conversation came with the reveal of a hurdle, and Barbie's new program with the Black in Fashion Council was designed to help address and move beyond those obstacles. With the goal of allowing women to feel emboldened, brave, confident, and ready for success, Nia Thomas, Fumi Egbon, and Larissa Muehleder developed their fashion statements around raising women up.
Barbie's goal continues to be based on inclusion, representation, and desire to portray women in various important roles in life. Regardless of whether it is acknowledging designers of the past, celebrating designers of the present, or hoping to create a community of future designers, Barbie is using its influence to help inspire young girls to see that there is no end to the possibilities of what they can achieve. Barbie is encouraging young Black designers everywhere, no matter their age, to go for their dreams and reach for the stars. Start with a drawing or an idea, and go from there. It could be amazing to discover what a thought or drawing could become one day.
So, check out Barbie's latest collaboration and a new doll made in honor of Kitty Black Perkins. Barbie is striving to continue its work in addressing obstacles that girls and women have to face and aiming to create a way for them to succeed in the face of adversity. Whether it be checking out Barbie and Black In Fashion Council's new program at the 2025 ENVSN Festival, listening to Blake Newby's interviews, or checking out the exciting additions made by Aurora James, Barbie is devoting February to celebrating the joy of a career in fashion design. Barbie is ready and excited to take the next step. Join them on this new journey.