Matel does not use the term “drag queen” but the doll was designed by Phillip Blond, one-half of the design duo The Blonds. The ‘Blond Diamond Barbie’ is loosely based on Phillip who is a cross-dresser himself. The doll is adorned with a long blond wig, blinged-out mini-dress, long faux-fur, glittery pumps, huge jewels, long eyelashes and dark eye makeup. This overdone version of Barbie could be typecast as a draq queen but would that still be true if the designer was not one himself?
What do you think about this collaboration with Barbie and The Blonds? She looks fierce but Barbie has always served as a role model for young girls–what career is this barbie? Even though it is not advertised as a “boy in a dress” will it be perceived that way due to the designer?
Doll was released on August 2, 2012. Retails for $125 and is on backorder until December 2012.