Frida Kahlo’s Barbie doll faces criticism for not resembling her

Frida Kahlo’s family thinks the Frida Barbie doll is not a good representation of Frida and claims Mattel actually stole the artist’s image.

“I would have liked a doll that actually represents my aunt’s features, like the unibrow, the dark eyes, darker skin, and also wearing the beautiful, regional clothes that she wore, made by Mexican artisans, and her Oaxacan earrings.. a fitting Frida.” said Mara Romeo, great niece of Frida Kahlo.

On International Women’s Day, the Barbie maker, Mattel launched a series of dolls, based on iconic women but the Frida Kahlo doll is getting a lot of criticism for leaving out the traits that made Kahlo unique. Kahlo’s family says Mattel had no right to make a Frida doll and has written to Mattel threatening to sue.

Kahlo’s grand-niece claims all the rights to the artist’s image but Mattel says it worked with The Frida Kahlo Corporation- an American company which also claims right to Frida’s image.

Mattel spokesperson said, “In addition to the Frida Kahlo Corporation being an important part of the doll development process, we have their permission and a legally binding agreement to make a doll in the likeness of the great Frida Kahlo.

The Kahlo family and their lawyer say the corporation only had rights to Frida’s name but never had the rights to her image. Kahlo’s image has been used for branding on products like lipstick, beer and coffee mugs but the family says they are being made without permission and tainting Frida’s message of contributing good to the world.

“I think if we do something, it needs to be something good, something that represents not only my aunt Frida, but all of Mexico,” emphasized Romeo.