Frida Kahlo versus Mattel: Who Won?
Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist known for her 'trademark' unibrow and questioning of certain political truths in Mexican culture with her paintings. Many feminists since her life (1907 - 1954) have taken inspiration from her and her art.
Mattel recently released an 'Inspiring Women' series, which included three dolls. One of which was a doll of Frida Kahlo.
Almost immediately after the dolls from this series were announced and put to sale, Frida Kahlo's family (more specifically her great-niece) fought Mattel over the doll's appearance in this series. Critics also pointed out the doll's appearance seemed 'toned down' - no unibrow or unique style of dressing here.
On Thursday (the 19th), the judge of the case said that Mattel could not commercialize the doll until a resolution was reached. Mexican stores have pre-emptively taken the doll off the shelves, obviously not happy with the toned down appearance of Frida. Mattel got permission to use Frida's image from the Frida Kahlo corporation but not the actual family themselves, it seems. For now, Mattel can't sell the doll due to the judge's non-commercialization order.
My opinion on this? It has to suck to be Mattel this year. Other than any American Girl troubles, a popular (or it should be, I remember all the buzz around the three dolls when they first got put out) doll gets pulled. Yet I'm disappointed in the 'toned-down' appearance of Frida Kahlo and the family has a right to their relative's image.
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/temporary-injunction-bans-sales-frida-kahlo-barbie-article-1.3947170
Mattel recently released an 'Inspiring Women' series, which included three dolls. One of which was a doll of Frida Kahlo.
Almost immediately after the dolls from this series were announced and put to sale, Frida Kahlo's family (more specifically her great-niece) fought Mattel over the doll's appearance in this series. Critics also pointed out the doll's appearance seemed 'toned down' - no unibrow or unique style of dressing here.
On Thursday (the 19th), the judge of the case said that Mattel could not commercialize the doll until a resolution was reached. Mexican stores have pre-emptively taken the doll off the shelves, obviously not happy with the toned down appearance of Frida. Mattel got permission to use Frida's image from the Frida Kahlo corporation but not the actual family themselves, it seems. For now, Mattel can't sell the doll due to the judge's non-commercialization order.
My opinion on this? It has to suck to be Mattel this year. Other than any American Girl troubles, a popular (or it should be, I remember all the buzz around the three dolls when they first got put out) doll gets pulled. Yet I'm disappointed in the 'toned-down' appearance of Frida Kahlo and the family has a right to their relative's image.
Source: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/temporary-injunction-bans-sales-frida-kahlo-barbie-article-1.3947170
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