Barbie releases 2024 Día de Muertos Dolls

Dia de muertos dolls have become an annual tradition at Mattel and this year once again showcases the beauty and traditions of the holiday. The latest Dia De los Muertos Barbie Mattel has released is a collection of three special edition dolls honoring the Latin American holiday and the rich culture behind it. The 2024 Día de Muertos collection includes: a Barbie and Ken in coordinating outfits and a special doll created by renowned Mexican fashion designer Kris Goyri that showcases traditional Indigenous Mexican culture. 

The special edition Día de Muertos doll wears a white dress inspired by traditional Oaxaca styles and features papier-mâché cempasúchil, or marigold, flowers symbolizing the path to the afterlife, a woven sash at the waist in homage to Mexican weavers and artisans. Goyri additionally hand-designed the makeup, inspired by La Catrina, and styled the doll’s sleek black hair in a long updo with cempasúchil flowers. She dons a turquoise necklace with a golden sun in the center, which match the golden sun earrings. 

The doll’s packaging design is inspired by “Mictlán,” the underworld of Nahua mythology. The Mexican designer created the doll to emphasize the importance of connecting with Indigenous roots and traditional crafts. In the post announcing the special edition doll created by Goyri, Barbie Style highlights the cultural significance in its creation:

“Nahuatl legend details the path a soul takes to cross into the world of the dead, guided by the sacred dog, Xolo. Ahead of the festival of remembrance, Barbie and Mexican fashion designer @KrisGoyri pay homage to this ancient myth with the 2024 Premium Día de Muertos doll, adorned with bold marigolds and festive nods at Mexican tradition.”

The matching Barbie and Ken Día de Muertos dolls, both created by Mattel designer Javier Maebe, wear complimentary black outfits with colorful accents and embroidered details. The Barbie doll dons a black ruffled gown with embroidered sugar skulls and a vibrant blue ruffle detail and wears her hair in an orange headband updo that evokes the iconic cempasúchil flowers. The Ken doll wears a black satiny suit with turquoise accents and embroidered details paired with a silver belt and a wide-brimmed sombrero. Both dolls wear traditional calavera face paint. 

The 2024 Día de Muertos collection not only honors the beloved tradition, but also highlights the holiday’s Indigenous roots and mythology. The special edition Día de Muertos doll was a $100 and is sold out, but the matching Barbie and Ken Día de Muertos dolls can be purchased at the Mattel Creations website for $75.