The creator of the first Black Barbie grew up in segregated South Carolina and went on to become principal designer for Mattel

Yoonji HanApr 11, 2023, 00:42 IST

Kitty Black Perkins designed thousands of outfits for Barbie dolls throughout her career.Fiona Hanson/PA Images via Getty Images

Kitty Black Perkins led an illustrious career designing outfits for Barbie dolls, creating over 100 fashions a year.
She designed Mattel's first-ever Black Barbie in 1979.

Kitty Black Perkins is renowned in the toy industry for designing the first-ever Black Barbie, and was a pioneer who helped diversify the mega-popular doll franchise.

Kitty Black Perkins.Courtesy of South Carolina Foundation for Education Leadership

Born in racially-segregated Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1948, Black Perkins grew up playing with white dolls gifted by her mother's employers. She went on to work in the fashion industry after graduating from college.

Many of the dolls produced in the 1950s were white.Erich Andres/United Archives via Getty Images

Born in racially-segregated Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1948, Black Perkins grew up playing with white dolls gifted by her mother's employers. She went on to work in the fashion industry after graduating from college.

Black Perkins bought her first Barbie doll from Toys R Us when she was 28 years old to prepare for an interview with Mattel. The company asked her to take a Barbie home and to bring it back in a week with a new wardrobe.

Barbie's many outfits.Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Black Perkins bought her first Barbie doll from Toys R Us when she was 28 years old to prepare for an interview with Mattel. The company asked her to take a Barbie home and to bring it back in a week with a new wardrobe.

Since it was unveiled in 1959, Barbie became an instant best-seller. But critics chided Mattel for failing to represent the diversity of America, especially as the country was in the thick of the Civil Rights Movement.

Early Barbie dolls were thin, white, and blonde.Craig Ruttle/AP Photo

Since it was unveiled in 1959, Barbie became an instant best-seller. But critics chided Mattel for failing to represent the diversity of America, especially as the country was in the thick of the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1969, Barbie got a friend, Talking Christie. Christie would be the first Black doll under the franchise, even if she wasn't a Barbie.

The Talking Christie doll.New-York Historical Society

In 1979, Black Perkins, who had become Barbie's principal designer the year before, was tasked with creating an outfit for the first-ever Black Barbie. "She's Black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!" the doll's box said.

A heritage edition of the My Favorite Barbie: Black Barbie doll.Jin Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In 1979, Black Perkins, who had become Barbie's principal designer the year before, was tasked with creating an outfit for the first-ever Black Barbie. "She's Black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!" the doll's box said.

Black Perkins took inspiration from magazines, stores, and couture shows in Europe. She was also inspired by her daughter, who had 60 Barbie dolls as a child.

Bathtime Fun Barbie.Courtesy of Toy Sisters

Black Perkins was responsible for over 100 designs a year as chief designer for Barbie, a position she held for nearly 30 years. She received several prestigious awards for her work.

Barbie doll designs and drawings at a Paris Fashion Week exhibit, 2016.Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images

Black Perkins was responsible for over 100 designs a year as chief designer for Barbie, a position she held for nearly 30 years. She received several prestigious awards for her work.

The Brandy dolls, MC Hammer doll, and the Shani & Friends dolls — Mattel's first exclusive line of Black dolls — are among Black Perkins' other notable designs.

Pop singer Brandy was represented in a new line of celebrity dolls created by Mattel in September 2000.Online USA/Getty Images

The Brandy dolls, MC Hammer doll, and the Shani & Friends dolls — Mattel's first exclusive line of Black dolls — are among Black Perkins' other notable designs.

Black Perkins' legacy is shown in the diversified range of Barbie dolls now available around the world.

Barbie dolls on display during the "Barbie, Life of an Icon" exhibition in 2016.Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images

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The creator of the first Black Barbie grew up in segregated South Carolina and went on to become principal designer for Mattel

Kitty Black Perkins is renowned in the toy industry for designing the first-ever Black Barbie, and was a pioneer who helped diversify the mega-popular doll franchise.

Born in racially-segregated Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1948, Black Perkins grew up playing with white dolls gifted by her mother's employers. She went on to work in the fashion industry after graduating from college.

Black Perkins bought her first Barbie doll from Toys R Us when she was 28 years old to prepare for an interview with Mattel. The company asked her to take a Barbie home and to bring it back in a week with a new wardrobe.

Since it was unveiled in 1959, Barbie became an instant best-seller. But critics chided Mattel for failing to represent the diversity of America, especially as the country was in the thick of the Civil Rights Movement.

In 1969, Barbie got a friend, Talking Christie. Christie would be the first Black doll under the franchise, even if she wasn't a Barbie.

In 1979, Black Perkins, who had become Barbie's principal designer the year before, was tasked with creating an outfit for the first-ever Black Barbie. "She's Black! She's beautiful! She's dynamite!" the doll's box said.

Black Perkins took inspiration from magazines, stores, and couture shows in Europe. She was also inspired by her daughter, who had 60 Barbie dolls as a child.

Black Perkins was responsible for over 100 designs a year as chief designer for Barbie, a position she held for nearly 30 years. She received several prestigious awards for her work.

The Brandy dolls, MC Hammer doll, and the Shani & Friends dolls — Mattel's first exclusive line of Black dolls — are among Black Perkins' other notable designs.

Black Perkins' legacy is shown in the diversified range of Barbie dolls now available around the world.