From The Verge:
Ava DuVernay, outspoken director of the Academy Award-nominated Selma, is at the forefront of a new generation of filmmakers not just earning but demanding accolades for their work and the work of other women and people of color. She “serves the story” by writing for and about black girls and women. So it was only fitting that Mattel make their latest Barbie, one of the single most recognizable and revered toy brands in the world, in her likeness.
Back in April, Mattel announced that DuVernay, alongside former?Lucky magazine editor Eva Chen, Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, actress Emmy Rossum, singer Trisha Yearwood, and five-year-old J. Crew fashion designer Sydney “Mayhem” Keiser, would be honored with their own Barbies as?one of Mattel’s “Sheroes.” And there can be no denying that the final product does the director justice, complete with director’s chair:
None of the dolls were made available to the public at the time, but DuVernay’s was the only one that fans petitioned Mattel to release to adult collectors. The doll was finally released in a limited run yesterday ? only to sell out in a matter of minutes.
The response is understandable, and speaks to how treasured a black female director is at the moment ? a moment that sees?women throughout Hollywood, like Shonda Rhimes and Lena Dunham, speaking out about the systemic issues affecting them and their work.
Read more at The Verge.
