Recently, Mattel honored the late and legendary Mexican actress María Félix with a special new Barbie. The Mária Félix Barbie doll celebrates her legacy, contribution to Mexican cinema and cultural betterment, and her advocacy for women’s equality and indigenous groups. It seems that this time around, critics think Mattel finally landed on a more accepted choice as far as representation goes. Félix was a stunning actress in the ’40s, so her look is gold, black and 100% glam.
Overall, Latina Barbie is now a whole vibe in the Mattel universe. These dolls are a part of the Barbie Fashionista line, which features dolls with diverse skin tones, hair types, and body shapes. Among Latina Barbie dolls included in the collection, you can find:
- Barbie Fashionista #158 with long brown hair, a light pink dress, and gold shoes.
- Barbie Fashionista #145 with curly black hair, a colorful striped shirt, and jean shorts.
- Barbie Fashionista #138 with a cute pixie cut, a blue and white striped shirt, and denim overalls.
Why Having Latina Barbie Dolls Matters
As a toy, Barbie has always been a symbol of empowerment and self-expression. She has inspired countless young girls to dream big, be confident in themselves, and pursue their passions, no matter what obstacles may come their way. Her diverse range of professions, from astronaut to doctor to teacher, has shown girls that they can be anything they want to be and that nothing is impossible if they set their minds to it.
While the empowering message was great, the way Barbie was promoted was not – the commercials saw stereotypical Barbie as white, blonde hair and blue eyes. Thankfully, as the Barbie generation grew, so did our understanding of representation.
Representation in toys can play a significant role in shaping children’s perceptions of themselves and others. When kids see different people represented in dolls, it can have a positive impact on their self-esteem, empathy, and understanding of diversity.
When girls see dolls that represent diverse body types, skin tones, and hair textures, it promotes self-acceptance and a positive body image. It shows them that there isn’t just one “ideal” look for a woman and that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. This can help girls feel more confident and comfortable in their skin.
Creators don’t always get it right, but we’ve made some progress.
Recently, the Barbie movie took the world by storm with its clever commentary on acceptance, objectification, and Ryan Gosling’s “casa dojo mojo house.” Latina actress America Ferrera played Gloria, a mom and assistant to Mattel’s CEO.
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FUN FACT The real Mattel commemorated Ferrera by creating a doll of her character, Gloria, so in real life, she became the first person of Central American descent to have a Barbie made out of themselves. Her parents, América Griselda Ayes and Carlos Gregorio Ferrera were originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and immigrated to the United States in the mid-1970s. |
The Barbie movie featured an impressive 30 different Barbie dolls, each with their own unique style and personality.
From the classic blonde Barbie with her iconic pink outfit to the sporty soccer-playing Barbie and the adventurous pilot Barbie, there was a doll to represent every young girl’s dreams and aspirations. Not only did the Barbie movie showcase the diversity of the Barbie brand, but it also highlighted the importance of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance.
In addition to her empowering message, Barbie has also become a cultural icon, representing both the past and present. Her vintage looks and classic outfits evoke a sense of nostalgia for many adults who grew up playing with her, while her modern styles and diverse range of dolls reflect the changing times and the world we live in today.
A (Failed?) Attempt at Latino Barbie Dolls
A few years ago, Mattel launched a Mexican Barbie that caused a negative reaction in the Hispanic community. This Latina Barbie is part of their Dolls of the World collection Barbie Dolls of the World which also includes dolls from Chile, Argentina, and Spain. This is not the first time that Mattel has sold Mexican Barbie dolls, but according to the critics, this particular one is too pink, stereotypical (comes with a Chihuahua) and includes a passport.
The Dolls of the World collection was first introduced in 1980, and since then, has grown to include dolls representing over 40 different countries. Each doll is dressed in clothing that is specific to the country they represent, and their accessories are often inspired by local traditions or landmarks. For example, the Barbie Doll of India wears a saree, while the Barbie Doll of France comes with a miniature Eiffel Tower.
Aside from showcasing the fashion and traditions of different cultures, the Dolls of the World collection also aims to teach children about diversity and acceptance. By playing with dolls that represent different races, ethnicities, and cultures, children can learn to appreciate the differences between people and celebrate the beauty of diversity.
When I was a kid, Barbie dolls were my favorite toys. In my opinion, these dolls have always been about stereotypes. When I saw all the pictures of the Barbies of the World collection, they reminded me of a traditional dress competition in the Miss Universe pageant. Nobody is against that, so why is there so much outcry about these dolls? Maybe the 2013 Chihuahua was too much, but I like the pink dress.
Also, all the dolls from the collection Barbie Dolls of the World include a passport, not just the Mexican Barbie, so although I understand that the immigration topic is sensitive nowadays, a passport is a legitimate representation of world travel.
Latina Barbie Dolls in Mattel’s Collection
However, aside from this one, questionable for some attempt, there are several other Latino Barbie Dolls in Mattel’s collection that deserve recognition and should be talked about. So, here are the Barbie dolls for Spanish–speaking countries from the Dolls of the World collection, plus other Hispanic Barbies from previous years.
Dia de los Muertos Barbie Doll
Dia de Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a vibrant two-day holiday that takes place annually in November. It is a time when families gather together to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed away. In recent years, Barbie has released a few special editions of its iconic doll to commemorate this beautiful holiday.
The first Dia de Muertos Barbie was released in 2019, with the second edition hitting shelves a year later. Although these dolls come with a jaw dropping price tag, they have quickly become a collector’s item for adults. The dolls are dressed in traditional Dia de Muertos attire, which includes colorful dresses, various crowns, and skull face paint – a nod to the holiday’s famous sugar skulls.
Many people have praised Barbie for creating these dolls, as they help to bring awareness to a holiday that is often misunderstood.
Mexican Barbie Doll
First version released in: 1989
Official Latina Barbie doll description:
“Mexico Barbie looks wonderfully bright in a pink dress with ruffles, lace, and ribbon in brightly colored accents. With a ribbon in her hair and a Chihuahua friend, Barbie is ready for a fiesta. The Barbie Dolls of the World also come with accessories to add play value that include a passport and sticker sheet to help record Barbie doll’s travels.”
And here are a few of the specialty Mexican barbies of the World collection available:
- Princess of Ancient Mexico barbie
- Dia de Muertos Mexico Barbie
- Dia de Muertos Ken doll
- Cinco de mayo from the barbie festivals of the world collection
Chilean Barbie Doll
First version released in: 1998
Official Latina Barbie doll description:
“Chile Barbie looks like the perfect cowgirl in the clothing of the huaso (Chilean cowboys). Lace ruffles peek out the neckline of her red vest and the slit in her knee-length corduroy skirt, a colorful sash is tied at her waist. Knee-high black boots and a traditional black hat complete the look. With her dog friend, Barbie is ready to round ’em up. The Barbie Dolls of the World also come with accessories to add play value that include a passport and sticker sheet to help record Barbie doll’s travels.”
Argentinian Barbie Doll
First version released in: 2011
Official Latina Barbie doll description:
“Barbie from Argentina is ready to tango in a dress that captures the beauty and drama of the dance. A stunning blue satin bodice with a ruffle at the neck drops below the waist to a skirt of black flowing fringe. A black lace shawl, fishnet stockings, and black heeled dancing shoes accessorize the outfit. For an Argentine tango touch of passion, Barbie doll has a rose around one ankle and in her hair. Her sweet baby cougar ensures she always has an audience. The Barbie Dolls of the World also come with accessories to add play value, which include a passport and sticker sheet to help record Barbie dolls travels.”
Spanish Barbie Doll
First version released in: 1983
Official Barbie doll description:
“Spain Barbie wears a flamenco-inspired gown with ruffled layers and polka dot accents. Strappy shoes, drop earrings, and a classic Mantilla comb complete her look. The doll comes in keepsake travel trunk packaging and includes a “pink passport” for the perfect way for Barbie to travel the world in style.”
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Spanish Barbie dolls are technically not Latina Barbie dolls, as Latino is used to refer to people from Latin America. Still, Spain is a Spanish-speaking country, so we included it regardless. |
Peruvian Barbie Doll
First version released in: 1986
Official Latina Barbie doll description:
“Peruvian Barbie doll represents one of the most beautiful and mysterious countries in South America. She wears an authentic Peruvian dress and shawl in vibrant multicolored fabric reflecting the excitement, passion, and beauty of Peruvian culture. Accompanying Peruvian Barbie doll is an adorable baby dressed in a turquoise-colored diaper and a red hat.”
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Fun Fact: A different version of the Peruvian Barbie doll was actually the first Latina Barbie doll released under the Dolls of the World Barbie collection back in 1986. |
This is the second of the Barbie Peru collection we’ve found:
Princess of the Incas from the dolls of the World Princess Collection
Puerto Rican Barbie Doll
First version released in: 1997
Excerpt from the back of the box:
“I hope you like the special white dress I am wearing. It is very typical of a dress I might wear to a festival or party. The white color keeps me cool in our warm climate, which is usually between 70 and 80 degrees all year around.”
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Fun Fact: This one of the Latina Barbie dolls actually evoked mixed feelings when it was first released – some Puerto Ricans living in the US felt as if the doll was objectionable. |
Check out these other Learning Spanish Slang articles.
Featured photo credit: Tracheotomy Bob via photopin cc | Barbie dolls photos: Amazon.com
