Mattel presented its first “Barbie Diwali”, a doll dedicated to the celebration of Hindu festival of lightsDiwali, which this year will begin on October 31st. Created in collaboration with Indian designer Anita Dongre, the new Barbie features a series of traditional elements reflecting India’s rich cultural heritage.
Among these, the doll wears a cholia crop top, accompanied by a floral vest, known as a koti, and a lehengaa long, ornamental skirt. These garments not only represent traditional aesthetics but are also enriched with cultural symbols: the lehenga is decorated with flowers such as dahlias, jasmine and Indian lotuswhich evoke concepts of strength and beauty.
Lalit Agarwal, country manager, Mattel India, expressed the intent to showcase India’s vibrant heritage on a global scale, using the doll as a medium to celebrate diversity. The doll is sold at the price of 40 dollars and will be available at major retailers.
It aims to encourage the appreciation of Indian culture throughout the world
Anita Dongre highlighted that the Diwali Barbie project is a way to encourage appreciation of Indian culture around the world. The doll’s accessories, such as gold earrings and bracelets, are designed for reflect the glittering lights of the festivalhighlighting the importance of light and joy during celebrations.
For over 60 years, Barbie has faced criticism for her curdlinglimited understanding of beauty and gender roles; however, in recent years, it has made notable progress. Today the dolls come in 35 skin tones and feature a wide range of hairstyles, body shapes and disabilities such as blind Barbie or one with Down syndrome.
In this sense, therefore, the Diwali Barbie wants to become a symbol of evolution and acceptance, underlining that every culture has a story to tell and a beauty to celebrate. As Diwali celebrations approach, this doll offers a unique way to honor one of India’s most significant holidays, encouraging younger generations to recognize and embrace cultural diversity.
