Article: New black Barbies hit toy stores

NEW YORK - Mattel has launched a new line of black Barbie dolls with fuller lips, a wider nose and more pronounced cheek bones - a far cry from Christie, Barbie's black friend who debuted in the 1960s and was essentially a white doll painted brown.

The "So In Style" line, which hit mass retailers last month, features BFFs Grace, Kara and Trichelle, each with her own style and interests and a little sister she mentors. The dolls reflect varying skin tones - light brown, chocolate, and caramel - and Trichelle and Kianna have curlier hair.

Barbie designer Stacey McBride-Irby, who is black and has a 6- year-old daughter, said she wanted to create a line of dolls for young black girls that ...

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