Envision long blonde hair draped across pale shoulders, a narrow hourglass waist and cheerful blue eyes with just the right shade of pink eyeshadow. This image is the epitome of a Barbie Doll. 

In 1959, Ruth Handler had the image of her daughter Barbara in her head when she created the now iconic Barbie Doll. Her daughter often played with paper dolls and acted out scenes depicting her future such as going to work or getting married, which contrast current roles that a typical young child might play. 

After observing her daughter play, Handler’s imagination sparked and she decided to create a three dimensional doll that embodied what a little girl’s future may look like. “When I conceived Barbie, I believed it was important for little girls’ self-esteem to play with a doll that has breasts,” Handler stated.

In its beginning in 1959, the Barbie Doll could only be found with blonde, brunette, or red hair and white skin. However, in 1968 Handler introduced the “Christie Doll” creating diversity by being Barbie’s first African American friend, and in 1980 the “Teresa Doll” emerged, a Hispanic doll. 

Currently, Barbies come in many different nationalities from across the globe. Over the course of 20 years the Barbie brand has evolved into a more diverse platform due to raised questions sparked by equality movements in the media.

Zendaya Coleman, an African American Disney Channel star, made headlines recently with regards to equality movements in the media. Coleman wore dreads paired with a Vivienne Westwood gown to the 2015 Oscars. Giuliana Rancic, an E! News host and Fashion Police panel member, critiqued the Disney star’s hair, stating “Like I feel like she smells like patchouli oil. Or weed.”   

This comment sparked outrage against the African American community, prompting Coleman herself to address Rancic’s racist comment. 

“To say that an 18 year old young woman with locs must smell of patchouli oil or ‘weed’ is not only a large stereotype but outrageously offensive. I don’t usually feel the need to respond to negative things but certain remarks cannot go unchecked,” said Coleman.

This controversy drew attention from a span of marketers, one being Mattel Inc., the producer of Barbies. Mattel Inc. created a “Zendaya Doll” replicating Coleman’s outfit the night of the Oscars, including her locs, honoring the star’s steadfast views on equality.

“When I was little, I couldn’t find a Barbie that looked like me, my…how times have changed,” Coleman responded.

This extension of an olive branch made news, giving the stigma attached to the Barbie brand a makeover. The innovative marketing behind this idea evolved the brand into a more diverse platform, showing consumers that they are up to modern terms by embracing the equality driven culture today. 

“We are so excited to honor Zendaya with this one-of-a-kind doll as she encourages girls to Raise Their Voices and inspires us to #BeSuper,” Mattel Inc. stated via Instagram.

Toy sections everywhere are evolving due to movements like these. The Barbie brand has transformed from your atypical blonde haired-blue eyed norm into a beautiful array of nationalities, providing insights to different cultures and in turn, acceptance of others.