"She is ready to take on the world."
Mattel has been working to ensure Barbie dolls look more diverse and now, the first Indian one has been created.
The doll has been created in collaboration with Deepica Mutyala, the founder and CEO of makeup brand Live Tinted.
Live Tinted put brown skin makeup on the map.
The doll has the likeness of an Indian businesswoman, complete with jhumkas, bangles and a red power suit.
On Instagram, Deepica wrote:
“Meet 2022’s Barbie. Her skin is TINTED, her eyes big, and brows bold.
“She wears her jhumkas and bangles proud with her power suit. She is ready to take on the world. Her identity is hers.”
Deepica went on to say that her Barbie will break down “cultural barriers”.
“Leads with empathy and kindness.
“A fearless go-getter with a deep desire to make an impact in the world. She’s a CEO. THIS is the new Barbie.”
Deepica continued: “It was so important to me for young girls out there to see a South Asian American Barbie, paving her own path and turning her dreams into a reality by unapologetically being herself.
“Although this doll isn’t for sale (yet), I’m grateful this visual representation exists.
“This is the next step towards our mission of creating a more inclusive world for the next generation.”
Deepica recalled bursting into tears when she held the Barbie doll for the first time.
“I cried when they mailed it to me. And we didn’t post it, which I know is shocking, because it was such a special memory for me.
“But I just wanted to keep it for myself because it was such a visceral reaction.
“It was a roller coaster of emotions – I couldn’t believe it took 32 years to see this as an adult.”
“With this doll, it feels very different from any other, accolade or award, because it feels like it’s making a cultural shift and a little bigger impact.
“It’s a very complex emotion. Like grief. My tears were not just happy tears.
“It took me back to that little girl playing with my neighbour Shannon and her Barbie dolls and wondering, how cool would it have been if I had this doll then?”
Desi social media users were happy to see a Barbie doll that represents them.
One person said: “Finally, a Barbie that looks like me, now I can call young brown girls Barbie.”
Another wrote: “My dream come true!!”
A third commented: “This is amazing! I would have loved a Barbie like this growing up.”
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