Oct 28th 2009 By Emerald Catron
In addition to having a reputation for negatively affecting girls' body images, Barbies don't do a particularly good job of representing diversity either. In fact, a new black Barbie
caught quite a bit of flak for her hair, which many people thought was a step backward, since it was straight and light brown.
But artist Loanne Hizo Ostlie has been modifying the dolls for over 10 years, and what she comes up with are
much more diverse and realistic-looking, even if they do still have cat eyes and tiny waists. Especially impressive is
her ability to change the hair of a doll -- when we were kids all we ever managed to do was accidentally cut it so short that Barbie looked like a victim of a gruesome combination of hair plugs and electroshock therapy.
Loanne has
a Web site with over 300 mods of Barbie, Skipper and even a few Kens.
Click through the gallery to see some of Ostile's best work.
http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=767205&pid=767204&uts=1258419432
http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf
Not Your Typical Barbie, Ken or Skipper
Also on Lemondrop: Dolls that may still have those skinny waists but at least now they all don't just have blonde hair and blue eyes.
Tabloach.com
Phil Walter, Getty Images
Barbie's great, but this doll only represents just one type of woman. However, artist Loanne Hizo Ostile has been modifying Barbies, Kens and other dolls to represent the diverse world we live in. Although they still have those perfect proportions, Ostile has done a great job to give doll lovers a variety of ethnicities and backgrounds and has been doing so for more than 10 years. With over 300 doll mods on her Web site, there's a Barbie, Skipper or Ken for everyone.
No doubt this beauty queen is ready to strut the catwalk and win her crown. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
Not only does this look like its made out of gold, it's a piece of art. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
It's cute to see that even in the doll world fathers and sons can dress alike. Rock that safari-camo print! (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
Here's some style that even Chun-Li would be jealous of. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
If you look really closely, it's Tyson Beckford -- with hair. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
Can you say rockstar in training? (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
So chic in 70's retro. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
Every female with straight hair would kill to have ringlets like these. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
Wouldn't you want a UPS guy show up at your doorstep every day? Grab this doll, and you can. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
A knight in shining armor ready to keep you warm at night. (tabloach.com)
Tabloach.com
More Fun Stuff on The Web:
World's creepiest toys (StreetLevel)
Check out these beautiful bedrooms that will have you itching to redecorate. (House Beautiful)
Thirty things every woman should do before 30. And... 40 things every woman should do before 40. (The Frisky)
How to recycle everything -- clothes, shoes and medication included. (College Candy)
The world's most bizarre natural landscapes. (Webecoist)
In addition to having a reputation for negatively affecting girls' body images, Barbies don't do a particularly good job of representing diversity either. In fact, a new black Barbie caught quite a bit of flak for her hair, which many people thought was a step backward, since it was straight and light brown.
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Wednesday 28 October
By James Alter
Everything is fine but why that beard on Barbie. It does not look good.
http://www.hindlist.com
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Whitney
The first one looks like a knockoff Lisa Bonet. This is categorized as Weird News because why?
Reply
Sunday 01 November
By krissy
why is it in weird news? lol
Thursday 29 October
By Kay
So, why call the doll "Barbie" at all? She is no longer a "Barbie" doll. Personally, the doll should be named something that African American girls can relate to. Makes sense to me!
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By sher
A name African American girls can relate to like what? I'm black and the name the black dolls came with (even those made by blacks for blacks) I didn't relate to. Growing up I saw Barbies on tv and wanted a Barbie...its the brand name that the kid wants. I've had many Barbie dolls and I didn't discriminate when it came to skin or hair color. I played with 'em all. But, It was nice to be able to get a Barbie that looked somewhat like me. Might have been silly of me but I liked being able to get a black Barbie and the times when the black version was only available as Christie or some other name I wondered why it had to be named differently. I now understand it was marketing and an attempt to sell more dolls. The different name didn't bother me for long though because when I got them home they all got renamed anyways.
Thursday 29 October
By Jacky
I don't know any white girl named "Barbie" either. I don't think any teenage girl, or even little girl, goes by "Barbie" these days, or at least not by me.
The dolls are given different names so you can tell them apart. The dolls are all Barbie dolls, but are named things like Chelsea and Theresa.
Thursday 29 October
By kathy
hahaha yea ok ...THIS is how great doll repaints and customizations look...that's more newsworthy trust me.
http://noeling.deviantart.com/gallery/
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By kathy
this is how great repaints and fixing looks like...
http://noeling.deviantart.com/gallery/ that's really something
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Kevin
It must be awfully tough to read and type while peering out the eyeholes in that funny-looking white hood, huh?
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By fact checker
Actually, Joan Norman, Barbie origibally had short dark brown hair. I am, sadly, old enough to remember it well. She was quite chic, too!
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By mary-sue
It's called change! I have been looking at the same barbie for 43 years! I like what you have don't. Good Luck.
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By li
Barbie was originally released as both a brunette and a blond, and the brand has been applied to dolls of all colorings. Those of you who think otherwise don't know what you're talking about. You sound ridiculous.
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By BP
THIS IS WHAT AMERICA IS BUILT ON DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. BUT 1ST YOU GUYS HAD TO TAKE IT FROM THE AMERICAN INDIAN. THE TRUE AMERICANs AND CALL IT YOUR OWN. BOY! I LIKE IT WHEN A RACIST SHOWS THERE FACE. WHAT WAS THAT YOU SAID "LEAVE OURS ALONE AND CREATE YOUR OWN", MOST BLONDS ARE BLEACHED ANYWAY, WHAT I CALL WANT TO BE'S. THE GOOD NEWS IS IT'S NOT YOURS AND THANK GOD NOT CREATED LIKE YOU.
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Anthony
You spew all this hatred and ignorance over some Barbie dolls? Really? I feel sorry for your children and your closest loved ones, it's them that suffers having to deal with morons like you on a daily basis. Get a clue, an education, and some common sense!
AntBoog is OUT!
=P
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Jim
Get a life. It is a !@#$%#$@ DOLL!!!!!!!!
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Brittany
Barbies should just be ended.
They are overly expensive anorexic looking women that make girls believe that they should be just like them. Shallow and skinny.
Q: If Barbie's so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?
Reply
Tuesday 12 January
By borntalent
Yes...they shouldbe skinny. nobody wants a fat doll or a fat girl.
BP: you are calling peopel racist and screaming about "you stole from american indians"? lololo
btw..its Native Americans.... not American Indians.
Thursday 29 October
By Mulligun
Give here a Frican name like
La_sh the _is not silent
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By T.W.
I hate to break this to you, but the "original" Barbie (circa 1959) came in Blonde AND Brunette.
Wow. I didnt know that it was possible to know how to blog, but not know how to use the Internet...
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By Tonya
The dolls have evolved, just as human beings have. Why should anything that is supposed to change over time be subjected to staying with the notions of the past? The people who say the doll should never have changed probably also believe that the Earth is flat. I like the newer diversity of the dolls, and I am sure my 9 year old daughter would love to be able to have dolls that actually look like people look today. These dolls look like her older vsister, her friends, her teachers. Only thing missing is a Granny Barbie...lol!! Hey, if they come up with one, you heard it here first!!
Reply