Mattel Releases Día De Los Muertos 2020 Barbie Doll

Mattel’s released the Día de los Muertos Barbie almost exactly a year ago and after its success they’re re-releasing a 2020 version. The three-day holiday celebrated in Mexico and throughout Latin America has continued to grow in popularity in the U.S. and the launch of these Barbies is proof of that. Just like with the original doll the attention to detail is impressive with the traditional sugar skull art and a blush-colored lace dress over a layer embroidered with floral and sugar skull accents.

“As a Mexican-American designer, it was important for me to use my creative voice to design a doll that celebrates the bright colors and vivid textures of my culture, as well as the traditions I grew up with that are represented and celebrated in Barbie,” Mexican-American designer Javier Meabe said in a statement from Mattel.

The doll – which retails for $75 – is the second in a collection the company is planning to release dedicated to the holiday as a result of the success of the original Día de los Muertos Barbie.

“We wanted to make sure that the second Día de Muertos Barbie was just as special as the first doll,” Meabe said in a statement. “Research is always the first thing I do before putting my pencil on paper. So, I looked at new elements that we could introduce to the second doll. Adding new textures, fabrics, flowers, and a new dress silhouette were ways to introduce the new elements to the second doll while still keeping traditional elements that are important to the Día de Muertos celebration. Traditions like marigolds, skeleton details, and Calaveras makeup were elements that I knew we had to keep but introduce in a new way.”

The doll features  a crown of skeleton hands holding roses and marigolds along with the iconic Catrina design and a new dress silhouette. He added that he was inspired by the color gold seen through Mexican culture and that the roses represent important moments in life.

“It was very important that the second Día De Muertos doll felt just as special as the first in the Barbie series,” Meabe said. “As a Mexican American Designer, it was important to me to use my creative voice to design a doll that celebrates the bright colors and vivid textures of my culture, as well, as have the traditions I grew up with represented and celebrated in Barbie.”

The doll was officially released Sept. 2 and is currently out of stock on their site as well as Target, Walmart, and Amazon but customers can sign up for an alert for when it goes on sale.

“My hope for these dolls is that they’re able to bring more awareness to the Día de Muertos celebration. The Día de Muertos celebration is very important because it honors and pays respect to family and friends that are no longer with us. It is such a beautiful tradition and I love that Barbie is now honoring the Día de Muertos holiday,” Meabe said. “I also know how important representation is in our community, and I wanted little girls to see themselves through this doll. Barbie has always been a doll that celebrates women and dreams, and inspires girls. I am beyond grateful that Barbie is now celebrating traditions and cultures that mean so much to so many people.”