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
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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.
Comments:
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Thursday 29 October
By Michelle
Barbie, gave my "many" hours of joy as a child. I still look to see what is out, compared to when I was a girl! It is a doll. If the girls are having a good time, who cares. Let them play and be "girls" as long as possible!!! All this negative is not necessary!
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Thursday 29 October
By Harper
You need to get over yourself. The truth is is that America is a diverse country. I guess you are one of those people that don't appreciate this. I think those Barbies are beautiful. The old version still exists so what harm does creating other versions really do?
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Thursday 29 October
By GB
Pleasekissme1...what is your problem? Your comments have zero to do with Barbie. Take it to a "chatroom" or 'Dateline NBC" possibly they can help someone like you. Where is Chris Hansen, possibly he can assist you.
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Thursday 29 October
By Mo
Get over it, you RACIST!!!! Times change! If you can't handle the change, LEAVE AMERICA, NOW!!!!
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Thursday 29 October
By Michael
Our country is at a low point.....let's not offend anyone....the black doll is NOT a Barbie however if you speak out against it you're a homophobic, zionist, anti-semantic, bigoted, racist......OHHHH I'm offended!!!
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Thursday 29 October
By thesenewdollsarenice :)
i personally love this new idea of how the dolls are being modified to show people from everyday life. i mean, no one looks exactly like a ken or exactly like a barbie. that is just completely unrealistic. that being said, at the same time what it all comes down to is mass marketing, isn't it? people who worry about how race is affecting this need to open their minds and go read a book. barbie is blonde because that's her. but obviously people are too stupid to realize that the other dolls have their own names and look different to reach different demographics. maybe they are just oblivious to the economy and how companies are trying to find ways to reach all the people they can-regardless of race.
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Thursday 29 October
By MADISON
Every knows that there were'nt any "little colored Barbies" in the 59's and 60's,but I had a Barbie that had short curly dark brown hair. I called her "high yella Barbie". At least she had a "thick" full head of hair,when I tried to comb "lillie wht blonde" Barbie's hair , she was bald in the middle and needed a weave but at that time weaving wasn't an epidemic.
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Thursday 29 October
By Amber-Jade
I think they are not only amazing but I would totally buy them.. I have collected barbies my whole life.. and the new barbies just suck.. if these were on the shelves I would be buying them left and right.. and guess what.. I am a blonde haired, hazel eyed, white girl.. but i believe in diversity.. barbie may have started off one way..but was also created in a time where the races were seen as lower class.. forget all that bull thats the past.. we are supposed to look past skin color now.. so whats the deal with dolls.. really?? do you think that if they create a better looking african american doll.. your childs gonna wanna be that way.. come on people stop being so afraid of change.. seriously... anyways! yeah thats all i wanted to say
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Friday 30 October
By AskCarrieLee
I love them all! Good job! The second one is fantastic!!!
Reply
Thursday 29 October
By ad
I have always loved Barbie. This black Barbie with the afro hair is gorgeous! I really wish I had one! I like the Hippy looking Ken too! He's better looking than Rainbow Ken...too effeminate for me or my kid to play with.
Reply
Friday 30 October
By K
This just proves that once Barbie looks just like real people, she's suddenly kinda boring.
I mean, what's so fun about average people? Toys aren't suppose to represent average, they represent dreams and imagination! Blond and perfect, superheroes, Matchbox cars that can never really exist, Transformers...you want average, go outside and look around. There's no magic here, just ho-hum.
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Friday 30 October
By Linda
Though I remember when Barbie was a brunette, for most of her years she's been a blue eyed blond. Who cares? Midge was a redhead, Christie was black. I'm not offended that Barbie is blonde, because I have dark hair and eyes. This is political correctness that has run amuck. Leave Barbie the hell alone and give her a few minority pals. Is it still okay to use the term "minority?"
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Sunday 01 November
By Brooke
I really do like that there is some diversity. I understand that Barbie is this big thing that kids and some adults love. However, I also understand that most girl compare themselves to Barbie eventually and say to themselves "Why can't I look like her?". So I do appreciate that they've done something about it. They all look lovely to me, I just don't know why it couldn't have been done earlier. And for the record I have curly hair! Lol, so that last one made me feel very happy!
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Sunday 01 November
By kris
if barbie was a real life human being, she would be 6"00 tall and anorixic, great role model for kids eh.
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Sunday 01 November
By No one
They're all called Barbie dolls for christ sake. Yes the one who everyone calls "Barbie" is blond but technically all the dolls could be called that because there's always a big huge pink Barbie on the side of the box.
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Sunday 01 November
By Jessica
I understand what everyone is saying. Well except for the racist, Jodie Norman. I don't think race is the problem here. We need to look at who created the first Barbie's, who they created it for and the era that America was in when they first came around. America is much more diverse and Barbie's are sold all around the world. It would be natural to create other characters for the many other little girls of the world to relate to. Race shouldn't even be presented as a problem here. I think it's great that the creators are diversifying the Barbie brand name. I still have yet to see one like me. A fair skinned, island girl with soft, thick, curly hair. But hey, when I was a little girl I could've cared less. I changed their clothing styles and cut their hair when I got them home. Basically making them my own. If the kids aren't worrying about it, why do we need to sit here and argue over it? No matter if the child and the doll are the same race, the child is going to end up personalising the doll. Oh how I miss the good ole days of my childhood.
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Tuesday 03 November
By BJ
I was a white kid with a Christy doll, but couldn't take her to school because mom was afraid the kids would rip her up. (Small farm community in the late 70s)
My own daughter got a black gymnast Barbie from me, and a white one from my boyfriend in 1996...she was so happy to have the whole gymnast team.
If you look at the dark haired 1959 Barbie, doesn't she really look more mixed raced (Asian and caucasian)?
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Friday 06 November
By cdl
I used to rip the heads off of my sisters barbies as a kid. I grew up in a diverse Bronx, N.Y. but because barbie finally got a well overdue diverse look and hairdo dose not mean parents of color should line up and say, we forgive you for not giving a %$@* about us for years. It is a new day and the web is where this company will make the most strides with kids today. Kids don't know prejudice they are taught it. Go Bratz dolls!
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Thursday 19 November
By shawna
Barbie ha never represented anyone's look. She has impossible proportions and her straight blonde hair and blue eyes don't represent the majority of caucasians any more than they represent multi racial diversity of the world. I suppose little girls were not meant to identify with her but to fantasize about being her. The black women who are beauty icons today, such as Halle Berry or Beyonce look more like Barbie than I ever will, and I'm of Northern European descent. I can't imagine why anyone would care if they feel unrepresented racially by Barbie. Barbie doesn't represent anyone.
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Sunday 08 November
By kendra
You need to read! your comments are from someone who is very ignorant!
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