Barbie is one of the most iconic and popular dolls ever created. Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has undergone many changes and iterations, with new versions released each year featuring the latest fashions and trends. One of the most noticeable features about Barbie is her long, blonde hair. However, not all Barbies have had blonde hair. Over the decades, Mattel has created Barbies with varying hair colors and styles, including beautiful black-haired versions. So who exactly is the black haired Barbie? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular black haired Barbies throughout history.
Barbie’s Origins and Ruth Handler
Before diving into specific black haired Barbies, it helps to understand the origins of Barbie herself. Barbie was created in 1959 by Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel, Inc. Ruth was inspired by watching her young daughter play with paper dolls and imagining adult roles. Ruth realized there was an opportunity for a 3-D doll that allowed girls to imagine future careers and grown-up adventures.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1945 | Ruth Handler co-founds Mattel with her husband Elliot |
| 1959 | The first Barbie doll debuts at the American Toy Fair in New York City |
| 1961 | Barbie’s boyfriend Ken debuts |
This led to the creation of Barbie, named after Ruth’s own daughter Barbara. The first Barbie wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit, had blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, and red lips. Underneath the fashionable exterior, Barbie had an adult female figure with shapely curves. This was revolutionary at the time when most children’s dolls had bodies of little girls or babies.
The First Black Haired Barbies – Midge and Christie
Given that the original Barbie had blonde hair, it did not take long before Mattel introduced new friends for Barbie with varying hair colors and ethnicities. In 1963, just four years after Barbie’s debut, the first black haired Barbie friend arrived. Her name was Midge Hadley.
Midge Hadley was marketed as Barbie’s best friend. She had short black hair cut into a bob and freckles on her face. Her head mold was also different from Barbie’s, with a wider smile and more youthful, girl-next-door look. Midge’s everyday fashion style reflected her friendly personality, with colorful skirts and flats or loafers. Midge was eventually given a boyfriend too, Alan Sherwood, so the two friends could double date with Barbie and Ken. For several years, Midge was Barbie’s regular black-haired gal pal until another iconic black-haired doll entered the scene.
In late 1967, Mattel introduced the doll Christie to their teen fashion line. Christie had long, straight black hair parted in the middle and down past her shoulders. Her features were more sophisticated than Midge, with dramatic dark brows and a slight smile. She wore trendy mod fashion with go-go boots, mini skirts, and bold earrings. Christie was regarded as the first mainstream fashion doll to represent African American women. She was included in Mattel’s marketing as Barbie’s friend, but also quickly gained popularity as a stylish doll in her own right.
Francie Fairchild – Barbie’s Modern Black Haired Cousin
In 1966, Mattel decided to capitalize on Barbie’s runaway success by introducing new family members. This included Barbie’s teenage cousin Francie Fairchild in 1967. Francie had long black hair with straight cut bangs. Her facial features were distinct from Barbie, with wider eyes, a smaller nose, and slight underbite. She was marketed as a “mod, mod, mod” teen doll who loved the latest fashions.
Francie shared the same adult figure and similar height as Barbie. The two cousins could share clothes and accessories, expanding the available Barbie fashions. Francie came with her own group of friend dolls too like Casey and Twiggy. During her peak popularity, Francie even had her own parade float featured in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For several years, Francie offered a black-haired family member alternative to Barbie fans.
Skipper Roberts – Barbie’s Perky Pre-teen Sister
In 1964, Barbie gained a new family member – her brunette little sister Skipper. Skipper Roberts was introduced as Barbie’s younger sister, estimated to be around 10-12 years old. She had short brown hair cut into a flipped bob with straight cut bangs. Skipper’s sense of style reflected her energetic youth, with patterned tops, skirts, candy-colored go-go boots, and fun accessories.
Skipper was made 4 inches shorter than Barbie so the two sisters could interact and play together. At first, Skipper could only be posed to sit as her joints did not move. But later versions allowed her to stand independently and bend her arms and legs in more active ways. Skipper represented the tween market between young girl dolls and mature Barbies. She remains one of Barbie’s most popular siblings and friends even today, going through many updated looks and fashions over the decades.
The 1980s – Black Hair Gains Prominence
During the late 1960s and through the 70s, blonde Barbie dominated as the central doll while her black-haired friends played more secondary roles. But in the 1980s, Barbie dolls with black hair became more popular and prevalent. By now, the women’s movement had progressed where embracing more diverse beauty standards was becoming mainstream.
Mattel responded by making black hair a more prominent and visible look for Barbie herself, not just her friends. They began selling versions of the Barbie doll with long, straight black hair instead of her signature blonde locks. African American Barbies also increased in popularity, proudly wearing elegant black hairdos.
Popular black haired Barbies from this era included:
- Great Shape Barbie (1983) – Barbie’s first major diet and exercise line, featuring Barbies with black hair in aerobics and exercise outfits.
- Day to Night Barbie (1985) – Barbie with long, shiny black hair that could be styled from day into evening looks.
- Sparkle Beach Barbie (1988) – Barbie with long black hair in a green and pink swimsuit, reflecting beachy 1980s style.
Mattel also introduced new Barbie friend dolls showcasing trendy 80s styles with gorgeous black hair:
- Dancin’ Tina (1980) – Barbie’s friend with glowing black hair, legwarmers, mini skirt, and boombox stereo for 80s dance parties.
- Rocker Dana (1986) – Barbie’s punk rock friend with raven black hair styled in wild curls and spikes.
- Treasure Chest Ashanti (1987) – A stunning black Barbie doll with long, straight black hair, golden earrings, and dramatic Egyptian-inspired makeup.
The prominence of black hair in Barbie’s circle continued rising as she entered the 1990s.
The 1990s – Black Hair Dominates
In the 1990s, Barbie dolls with black hair completely dominated the scene. For starters, Barbie herself adopted black hair as one of her signature looks throughout this era. Almost every year featured new versions of Malibu or Holiday Barbie designed with long, perfectly coiffed black hair.
Other hot black haired Barbies in the 1990s included:
- Hollywood Nails Barbie (1990) – With cascading black hair, bold lipstick, and trendy 90s sunglasses.
- Pizza Party Barbie (1994) – Barbie with long black hair pulled into a ponytail wearing funky workout clothes.
- Shoppin’ Fun Fashions Barbie (1999) – Barbie looking trendy in jeans, heels, and shiny black hair.
Barbie’s friends and family were predominantly brunette during this time as well. Beloved black haired friends like Teresa, Steven, and Kayla got more modern makeovers. The rockin’ Roller Blade Barbie line featured a black haired version with neon clothes and inline skates.
Even Skipper got a grown up black-haired makeover in 1997 as the “Teen Skipper” doll, now taller and able to share clothes with Barbie. Collectors had no shortage of gorgeous black-haired Barbies to choose from during the 90s.
Barbie in The New Millennium
As Barbie has entered the new millennium, blonde hair has regained prominence as her signature look. But black hair remains an important part of the Barbie universe, representing diversity and showcasing Barbie in the latest fashions.
Some noteworthy black haired Barbies since Y2K include:
- Generation Girl Barbie (1998) – With extra long black hair down to her toes.
- Barbie as The Island Princess (2007) – As a Disney princess with lush black hair.
- Barbie Style Mel (2009) – An artsy Barbie with streaks of black and pink in her black hair.
- Birthday Wishes Barbie (2016) – Brunette Barbie celebrating her 57th birthday.
In 2016, Mattel also made waves by adding three new body types to its Fashionista line – tall, petite, and curvy. The curvy Barbie featured lovely brunette curls. This continued push for diversity and inclusion shows black haired Barbies will remain popular for years to come.
Rare and Vintage Black Haired Barbies
For collectors looking for rare finds, there are some exceptionally valuable vintage black haired Barbies from decades past. Here are some of the rarest and most expensive versions prized by collectors:
| Name | Year | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Solo in the Spotlight Christie (1968) | 1968 | $2,000 |
| Twist ‘N Turn Christie (1971) | 1971 | $425 |
| Live Action Christie (1973) | 1973 | $900 |
| Quick Curl Francie (1967) | 1967 | $2,500 |
| Talking Francie (1968) | 1968 | $400 |
| Julia Doll (1967) | 1967 | $800 |
As you can see, mint condition black haired Barbies from the 1960s and 70s can command top dollar on auction sites, due to their age, beauty, and scarcity. Those with original packaging intact rise even higher in value. For everyday play, modern black haired Barbies are easily found. But serious collectors should keep an eye out for these prized vintage beauties.
Modifying Barbie’s Hair Color
Of course, there are also creative ways Barbie fans can customize or transform their doll’s hair. Rerooting a Barbie involves replacing the original factory hair with new lengths and colors. Custom Barbie stylists carefully remove the head and use a special tool to inject new strands of mohair into the scalp. This allows turning a blonde Barbie brunette, or giving her ombre highlights, streaks, and more.
However, rerooting is complex and can damage the doll if done improperly. Beginners may want to use safer wash-out hair chalk, colored hair spray, or wigs to temporarily change Barbie’s trademark blonde locks to stunning black tresses. With the right approach and tools, Barbie’s hair color possibilities are endless.
Conclusion
While blonde hair may be Barbie’s claim to fame, her black-haired friends and family have become equally legendary over the decades. From her first brunette pals Midge and Christie to later favorites like Teresa and Skipper, black hair has always had an esteemed place in Barbie’s world. After over 60 years in fashion, Barbie continues to set trends across all hair colors and styles. For collectors and playtime fun, black haired Barbies capture the doll’s adventurous spirit through different eras in history. With so many beautiful variations, the only question is – which gorgeous black haired Barbie will you choose?