Cover The new Anna Sui doll joins Barbie’s Inspiring Women collection to mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
The new Anna Sui doll joins Barbie’s Inspiring Women collection to mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
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An Anna Sui Barbie honouring the fashion designer has been released to mark Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month this May
Barbie has just released its latest product to mark Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, which takes place every May. The new doll honours fashion designer Anna Sui, who is known for her ‘90s grunge aesthetic and with whom Barbie worked closely to create the doll in her likeness.
The new Anna Sui doll is part of Barbie’s Inspiring Women series, which “pays tribute to courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before” according to the Mattel website. It joins other Inspiring Women dolls that include tributes to Cuban singer Celia Cruz; conservationist Jane Goodall; the first-ever female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Wilma Mankiller; American entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist Madam C.J. Walker; journalist, educator and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells, and writer and activist Maya Angelou, as well as last year’s AAPI Heritage Month doll, the Kristi Yamaguchi Barbie, honouring the first Asian American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating.
The Anna Sui Barbie is part of a growing collection of dolls inspired by or created in collaboration with Asian women.
See also: Mattel’s new blind Barbie is designed for kids with visual impairments
1. Anna Sui Barbie doll
Above Fashion designer Anna Sui with the new Barbie, created in her likeness (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
Fashion designer Anna Sui with the new Barbie, created in her likeness (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
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Anna Sui’s rebellious, bohemian look is perfectly reflected in Barbie’s new release to mark AAPI Heritage Month 2025. The doll dons a star-print dress and chunky boots that resemble a look from Sui’s 2007 collection, while the Barbie’s sunglasses are a recreation of a pair in this Spring’s collection. Jet-black jewellery is an Anna Sui signature embraced by the doll. No detail is too small, as the doll’s nails are painted green, Sui’s favourite hue from her cosmetic brand’s nail polish collection, while accessories include a miniaturised bottle of the Anna Sui Classic Day de Toilette.
Sui said what a “full-circle moment” it is to have a Barbie doll created in her likeness. “I’ve been a Barbie fan since childhood, and dressing Barbie played a pivotal role in igniting my passion for fashion. I spent countless hours designing looks for my dolls with fabric scraps leftover from my mum’s sewing projects—it was a creative outlet that encouraged me to follow my dreams. I know my younger self would be incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, and I hope my doll inspires fans to embrace curiosity, nurture their creativity and dream without limits.”
See also: When fashion and literature collide: How luxury fashion houses are embracing the literary world
2. Diwali Barbie doll designed by Anita Dongre
Released in October ahead of Diwali, this new doll is designed by Indian couturier and fashion designer Anita Dongre, who is the founder of House of Anita Dongre. Dressed in a fine lehenga, a traditional formal outfit comprised of full skirt and a choli top, the doll’s attire pays homage to Dongre’s support of time-honoured Indian craftsmanship and the rural women who Dongre works with to uphold these traditions.
“Designing the Barbie Diwali doll has truly been a fun and fulfilling experience. This Barbie Diwali doll represents the fashion-forward modern woman, who wears India on her sleeve with pride,” said Dongre. “I’m honoured for this opportunity to represent contemporary Indian fashion on a global platform and hope that it inspires kids across the world to connect with their culture and heritage.”
3. Kristi Yamaguchi Barbie doll
Above Barbie Inspiring Women Kristi Yamaguchi doll (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
Above Kristi Yamaguchi with her doll (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
Barbie Inspiring Women Kristi Yamaguchi doll (Photo: courtesy of Mattel)
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The first Asian American woman to win a gold medal in figure skating at the Olympic Games, Kristi Yamaguchi is not only a pioneer on ice. The athlete is also a best-selling author of children’s books, including Dream Big, Little Pig, and an advocate for early childhood literacy.
The Barbie Inspiring Women Kristi Yamaguchi doll was released to mark Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month in May 2024, and is decked out in the black leotard and accompanying golden hair ribbon that the skater wore on the ice in Albertville, France, where she clinched her gold medal at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games.
See also: 19 Asian women in sport to know
4. Anna May Wong Barbie doll
The first Chinese American movie star, Anna May Wong paved the way for Asian actors in Hollywood. At a time when most Asian characters were played by white actors in yellowface, she challenged typecasting and broke down barriers for future generations of Asian actors, going on to found her own production company.
The Barbie Inspiring Women Anna May Wong doll, which was designed by Barbie's lead designer Carlyle Nuera, was released in April 2023, and portrays Wong in a red gown with golden dragon design.
See also: 7 women who have helped to advance women through history to today
5. Guo Pei Barbie doll wearing golden-yellow gown
Guo Pei is one of China's most renowned couturiers, but it was her Yellow Empress gown, from her 'One Thousand and Two Nights' collection that thrust the designer into the global spotlight when Rihanna wore it on the red carpet at the 2015 Met Gala.
It was Barbie's turn to don the dress in 2022, when Guo brought the couture look to the Mattel doll, miniaturising the brocade gown and its ornate embroidery and faux fur trim.
6. Lunar New Year Barbie dolls designed by Guo Pei
In 2022 and 2023 Guo Pei worked with Barbie's senior product designer Joyce Chen to create special Lunar New Year dolls. While there have been a handful of Barbie dolls decked out in traditional attire to celebrate this festival, the collaborations with Guo again showcase the Chinese couturier's exquisite embroidery, for which she is renowned, and reference imagery typically associated with the occasion.
For the 2022 collaboration, the Lunar New Year doll wore a long Chinese red dress with phoenix elements and accessories representing femininity and grace, while in 2023, Guo went with a two-piece look in royal blue with dragon embroidery and golden accessories.
See also: Ladies Who Lead: Celebrating female leaders in luxury and fashion
7. Vera Wang Barbie doll
Fashion designer Vera Wang might be best known for her wedding dresses, but for the Mattel doll created in tribute to the creative visionary, Barbie designer Nuera took inspiration for the doll's outfit from Wang's 2017 ready-to-wear collection. The doll, which was released in May 2022 in honour of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, wears a monochromatic outfit comprised of a black romper with chiffon overlay and puffed sleeves with the word 'love' embroidered on it. It was boxed alongside a quote from Wang: "Success isn't about the end result, it's about what you learn along the way."
"Thank you for the honor, privilege and respect of creating a Barbie in my image," wrote Wang on Instagram following the doll's release. "To be included among such extraordinary women is something I could never have dreamt of."
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About
Rachel Duffell is regional content director for Power & Purpose, including Front & Female, and former regional content director for Tatler Dining. She is a journalist and editor who has been covering people, gender, impact, leadership, culture and lifestyle for more than 15 years.
