When Barbie dolls first hit store shelves in 1959, they quickly became a favorite toy for millions of children around the world. However, it wasn’t until 20 years later that the brand finally launched a Black doll with Barbie’s name.
The journey of Black Barbie to store shelves is a story worth telling, and it is beautifully captured in Shonda Rhimes’ latest documentary.
Louvenia Black Perkins, also known as Kitty Black Perkins, played a pivotal role in the creation of the first Black Barbie doll. Louvenia, an African American fashion designer, began working at Mattel in 1976 after responding to a blind newspaper ad for a clothes designer.
Born in 1948 in South Carolina during a time of segregation, Louvenia attended an all-Black high school in the 1960s. She graduated with an associate’s degree in fashion design in 1971 and quickly made a name for herself in the industry.
When Louvenia interviewed at Mattel, she impressed the vice president of the company by bringing in six outfits she had designed for Barbie dolls. Not only did she land the job on the spot, but her designs were put into the line that year.
In 1979, Louvenia was given the task of creating an outfit for the first Black doll to bear the Barbie name. The Black Barbie doll made its debut in stores in 1980, featuring short, curly black hair and a red bodysuit with a disco skirt and heels.
Louvenia’s vision for Black Barbie was to create a doll that could do all the same things as the original Barbie but with a little extra spice. She wanted Black Barbie to be a sharp contrast to the pastel-colored outfits typically worn by the original doll.
After 28 years at Mattel, Louvenia retired in 2004 as the Chief Barbie Designer. She has since launched a line of embellished jeans and continues to do custom alterations.
The story of Louvenia ‘Kitty’ Black Perkins and her contribution to the world of Barbie dolls is a testament to her talent, creativity, and determination. Shonda Rhimes’ documentary, Black Barbie, premieres on Netflix on June 19, offering viewers a glimpse into the inspiring story behind the creation of the iconic Black Barbie doll.
