Shondaland has unveiled a trailer for its latest documentary, “Black Barbie,” delving deep into the creation and cultural impact of the dolls. The trailer showed the untold stories behind the iconic toy, featuring insightful interviews with the visionary women who spearheaded their development at Mattel and other key figures.
Executive producer Shonda Rhimes set the tone with poignant reflections, expressing the significance of representation in shaping one’s self-perception. She said in the trailer,
If you go through life, and you’ve never seen anything made in your image, there is damage done. She further amplified the enchantment surrounding Black Barbie, affirming, I thought Black Barbie felt magical.
Netflix, the streaming giant behind the project, further highlighted the documentary’s focus on celebrating the pivotal contributions of Black women within Mattel, underscoring their transformative influence on the Barbie brand.
At the heart of the documentary lies an exploration of the genesis of the first Black Barbie in 1980, a milestone moment that reverberated through generations. The trailer teased a profound examination of the importance of representation and the profound impact of dolls in shaping identity and nurturing imagination.
From the trailer, Kitty Black Perkins, the visionary designer behind Black Barbie, shared her impassioned perspective:
I designed Black Barbie to reflect the total look of a Black woman.
Her words encapsulated the intentionality and depth infused into the creation of these iconic dolls, underscoring their role in championing diversity and inclusivity.
Black Barbie will be released on Netflix on June 19, also known as Juneteenth.
More than just a doll. Black Barbie, a new documentary from Shondaland, celebrates the impact Black women at Mattel had on the evolution of the Barbie brand. Premiering June 19. pic.twitter.com/sl4fIzohaP
— Netflix (@netflix) June 4, 2024
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