Indian Fashion Designer Anita Dongre and Mattel Debut First-Ever Diwali Barbie: ‘An Incredible Feeling’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Fashion designer Anita Dongre and Mattel launch new Diwali Barbie doll.Photo:Mattel Inc.

Mattel Inc.

This new Barbie doll is ready to light up the Barbie-verse!

The company partnered with Indian fashion designer and couturierAnita Dongreto design the newest Barbie Signature figurine.

“I didn’t have a chance to own a Barbie as it wasn’t available in India when I was a kid. But it’s an incredible feeling to get to design my own Barbie. This doll is my first one, and it’s so very special to finally own a Barbie I designed!” Dongre tells PEOPLE exclusively.

The Barbie Diwali doll features a koti jacket and lehenga.Mattel Inc.

Dongre always knew a career in fashion was in her future. Growing up, she’d spend her summers at the local bazaars in Jaipur, India, and even worked with the vendors to create her own designs. “I wanted to be a fashion designer and so I studied it to pursue my dream of building my own fashion house.”

And that she did. In 1995, Dongre founded her eponymous label, House of Anita Dongre, which has since expanded with additional companies: Grassroot (a subset of sustainable pieces), Pinkcity (her fine jewelry line) and Global Desi, all of which blend modern styles with traditional craftsmanship.

She’s also dressed Bollywood stars, Hollywood A-listers — including Beyoncé, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the Jonas Brothers — and political figures like Hillary Clinton and Princess of Wales Kate Middleton.

When it came time to design the Diwali doll, Dongre wanted to pay homage to her roots and portray an “accurate reflection of what contemporary Indian fashion means” to her and Indian women around the world.

And over the course of 18 months, close attention to detail went into every point in the design process, from the sketches to the actual outfit and accessories to the styling of the doll’s hair and makeup.

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Clothing details of the new Barbie Diwali doll.Mattel Inc.

Dongre’s inspiration was Rajasthan, the Northwestern Indian state that she calls her “eternal muse.“ The doll wears a floral midnight blue skirt set featuring a Rajasthan-inspired koti jacket and a contemporary lehenga, both of which are traditional garb. “The color is a signature of my brand,” she says, adding that they reflect “the triumph of light over darkness,” which is the theme of Diwali.

As this was her first time creating items as small as doll’s clothing, Dongre adds that everything was a “fun learning process.” She even shared the journey with her nieces in India and abroad, because, she says, “it was really important to me that young Indian girls felt pride to connect with Indian fashion through this doll.”

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As Diwali approaches, Dongre is looking forward to “connecting with family in celebration of togetherness and community.” Her favorite tradition, she adds, is having a Diwali lunch with her loved ones.

Now that her collaboration with Barbie is out in the world, Dongre also hopes she can empower women and girls globally to “dream big, live out their fullest potential and break boundaries" and that she, with Mattel, can encourage everyone to “chase their ambitions unapologetically.”

This is all similar to the golden advice she’d share with her younger self: “Stay authentic and always listen to your inner voice.”

TheBarbie Diwali dollis available now.

source: people.com