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.
Comments:
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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 Jodie Norman
Barbie is BLOND period ! Barbie started out as blond and should stay blond.She has had many friends over the years THEY ARE NOT BARBIE!.
This is what is wrong with the USA right now,it is one ethnic group after another that is always trying to change an icon to look or be like them .USE YOUR imagination start your own icons leave ours alone.
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.
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...
Thursday 29 October
By Will. I. Am
You look to Barbie as an Icon?! Really? Then I feel that you need some deep self evaluation or a life. They should make a middle aged or elderly caucasian barbie doll and see how popular that is. There are other races that do have children that want to play with barbie, and there is no reason that these little ethnic female children can't play with a barbie doll in their likeness. You should stop being so self indulged and think of the children.
Thursday 29 October
By Diane Smith
Jodie Norman you're an idiot period...America was built on diversity so you should really stop being the racist ass that you are and except the fact that diversity is alive and well. That's what makes America great in the first place diversity. If you really want to talk about groups in general trying to change an icon into another why don't you take a look at reality first because it looks like people are always trying to change somehting about themselves, from the foods they eat to their tans to their hair. We inspire one another, but of coure you're just too ignorant to see that. RACISM IS DEAD. Deal with it.
Thursday 29 October
By MICHELLE
It's just a doll! FYI: My Barbie, circa 1970, was brunette, not blond AND all my friends Barbie's were brunette, too. Actually, I don't remember seeing a blonde Barbie until I was in high school. I do remember seeing the first black Barbie around 6th or 7th grade.
Friday 30 October
By Grim McGriddlecakes
Shut your stupid mouth Jodie.
Thursday 29 October
By dia
I agree Barbie* is the style of doll... Moesha can be black with dreadlocks, but dont call her Barbie...
Thursday 29 October
By hotmama
Get over your narrowminded wanna be "blonde" barbie mentality. Your attitude in general needs to disappear. "Barbie" may have started as a blonde but since we are trying to raise our future generations as a multi cultural, diverse and in a rich enviroment, Barbie can should be able to extend to all races and types since the mass market is geared to young girls. Perhaps you should step out of your warped misperception or not come out of your box. Thank you
Thursday 29 October
By cj
Barbie was created with all hair colors. Later on barbies of color were introduced. If people are bigoted they like to keep things the same. They hate change and are never open to new things and they never embrace people unlike themselves! Most people that live their lives this way never grow and most likely never will! I feel sad for anyone that does not open their minds or their hearts! We are all Gods children! And even barbies should depict all of us! not just white not just blonde! By the way I am white, and blonde.
Thursday 29 October
By sher
You need to look into Barbie's history. Barbie was not always just a blonde. The original Barbie came in blonde or brunette. I think what you're really objecting to is the black doll also being called Barbie. Which is just sad that you feel that little girls of other ethnicities should be forced to never have a "Barbie" unless they choose to have one that looks nothing like them. Really the reason for Barbie having many friends over the years is probably more for marketing/sales reasons than fear of corrupting Barbie by making her another race. Kind of like so you bought a blonde Barbie now buy her a red haired friend named Midge, a brunette named Whitney, a black friend named Christie, an eastern friend named Kira/Miko, and a Hispanic friend named Teresa.
Thursday 29 October
By jillian
You want to know the real problem with people in America? Well YOU dont have to search far because you happen to be the perfect example!! That`s right! Its people like you that make America the place it is today. Whats soo wrong with creating a black barbie? last time i checked there are very few of them, so what message to you want your little girl to grow up with? That everyone is Hitler`s prized blonde hair blue eyes, and has light skin and perfect complection? That everybody has a perfect figure and has a stunning look? Cause that`s not the world! So we shouldnt give dolls to little girls that say that message. Because people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And they are all beautiful! There are plenty of beautiful blacks whats so wrong with showing our girls the real world? That the world is and will always be diverese? But do what u want because no matter if they make every single barbie the same, white, blonde, with blue eyes... when the little girls get out in the REAL world, they`ll still be facing the same thing chinese, black, asian, white, spanish... all kinds of people. So be my guest! and trick the little ones into thinking the world is made of up of perfect people just like barbie, but it will only be that much harder when they realize its the complete opposite.
Thursday 29 October
By Christine
Actually, each doll has her own name.
The black dolls name is Christy, the Spanish dolls name is Theresa, and so on...
Seriously, though.
Get a life. Its just a doll.
If its really affecting the way you live that much, then you really need to reconsider your life and jump off a bridge.
Thursday 29 October
By Lisa Wicks.
Honey, most Black people could say the same thing about rock and roll, hip hop, rap and hair braids. Come up with your own ideas and stop ripping ours off. Get a grip.
Thursday 29 October
By Mellie Mel
Pure ignorance
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?
Thursday 29 October
By Mo
Get over it, you RACIST!!!! Times change! If you can't handle the change, LEAVE AMERICA, NOW!!!!