Mattel Unveils New Filipina Barbie
Filipino-American artist Carlyle Nuera designed the Filipina Barbie, released in time for Asian American heritage
Filipino Barbie fans have something new to add to their collection. Just in time to celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, Mattel announced it has launched a new Barbie under the Styled by Design series known as the Filipina Barbie.
The Barbie was designed by Filipino-American artist Carlyle Nuera, which according to the description, “elevates traditional Filipino fashion into the realm of haute couture, paying homage to his Asian American heritage with this spectacular Barbie doll.”
“From the radiant crown of the Philippine sun and fingers that sparkle with elegant gold janggay jewelry, to the intricate bahay kubo designs featured on her bakya platforms, Carlyle’s Barbie doll is radiant from head to toe,” Mattel wrote on the website.
Inspiration for the Barbie
In his post, Carlyle discussed further the inspiration from the motherland. “Being Filipino is my most foundational identity. I’ve always been proud to be Filipino, and that’s thanks to my family, my parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, the way we grew up. And now, being connected to and a part of the larger Filipino-American community, I am sooo hyped for this Barbie to finally be out in the world and hopefully make the anaks feel seen, represented, inspired and proud.”
Describing the creation as the “second coming” of his Mutya ng Barbie from 2015, Carlyle added: ” Mutya Barbie really changed the trajectory of my career and made me realize the power and platform I have as a designer, especially for an enduring global icon like Barbie. So I wanted to build upon all of that with my Styled By Design Barbie. And for her to be released in October during Filipino American History Month?”
He ended his description, by thanking Mattel for giving him the chance to bring to life his design.
Carlyle’s Barbie joins several Barbie designs that have been inclusive through the years. In 2023, it launched a Barbie with Down Syndrome and produced Barbie dolls inspired by Tina Turner and Vera Wang.
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