# Black Barbies Using Toys to Send the Diversity Message in Vogue Italia's Black Issue By Katherinev123 | Published 2009-07-21 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-barbies References: [suntimes](http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/weekend/1639671,WKP-News-fave26West.article) & [dollstuff.net](http://www.dollstuff.net/diary/so-in-style-2) When we look back on the events of 2009, we may remember two in particular: Black Barbie modeling the latest fashions in [Vogue](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nft-collection2) Italia, and the first-ever line of African-American Barbie dolls. July marks the anniversary edition of Vogue Italia’s Black Issue, which features Black Barbie in a full, high-fashion editorial spread. As the magazine hits newsstands, doll-fanatics everywhere are excitedly anticipating the fall launch of [Mattel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-doll-with-down-syndrome)’s So In Style dolls, which are designed with more authentic African-American features including fuller lips, a wider nose, and curly hair. Unlike the goal of *Vogue* Italia’s editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani, whose vision was to emphasize the importance of diversity in *fashion*, the So In Style dolls center on a decidedly more wholesome theme: mentoring. The collection’s accompanying storyline goes something like this: Barbie’s African-American friend, Grace, moves to Chicago, where she befriends two other African-American girls, Trichelle and Kara. Each begins to mentor a younger girl – the little “sis” dolls – bringing the entire collection to six dolls. Creator of the So In Style dolls, Stacey McBride-Irby makes her efforts clear: > I want to bring inspirational role models to a new generation of little girls. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.1/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Diversity in Fashion:** Opportunity for fashion brands to emphasize diversity in their designs and marketing campaigns. - **Authentic Representation:** Opportunity for toy manufacturers to create dolls with more authentic features that reflect various ethnicities and cultures. - **Mentoring and Empowerment:** Opportunity for brands to develop products that promote mentoring relationships and empower younger generations. ### Who This Affects Most - **Fashion:** Fashion industry can leverage the trend of diversity to create inclusive and representative clothing lines. - **Toy Manufacturing:** Toy manufacturers can tap into the demand for more diverse dolls by creating lines that authentically represent different ethnicities and cultures. - **Personal Development and Education:** Industries focusing on personal development and education can create products that promote mentoring and empowerment among children and young adults. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Inclusion-Focused Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-2.md) - [Inclusive Barbie Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-doll-with-down-syndrome.md) - [Inspiring Role Model Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie-role-models.md) - [Gen Alpha Barbie Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gen-z-barbie.md) - [Upcoming Inclusive Doll Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-barbie.md) - [Inclusivity-Promoting Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbie.md) - [Late Singer-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aaliyah-barbie.md) - [Diverse African Doll Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creativesoul.md) - [Indian Heritage-Inspired Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anita-dongre.md)