Even after you’ve aged out of playing with dolls, there’s something special about holding a Barbie that looks like you. And if there’s anything we learned from the popularity of Greta Gerwig’s award-winning movie, it’s that no one is ever too old for Barbie.
Ahead of this weekend’s Caribbean Carnival in Toronto, seven girls aged 11 to 16 were guided through a step-by-step workshop on how to create their own carnival-themed dolls. The event, held in an east Toronto community centre, was put together by Brown Gyal Diary, an organization that runs events and provides resources for young Caribbean women.
The first question on the girls’ minds: Is my doll going to look like me?
“You will all be getting Barbies and they will not be white,” chuckled Ashley Abdul, the founder of BGD. Once the dolls were put on the table, laughter and yelling swept the room as the girls clamoured to find the one they would take home.
“The inspiration was just being able to provide a space for young women that I never had,” says Ms. Abdul, who founded BGD four years ago. “And definitely a big part of BGD is destigmatization.” She hopes to provide the girls with a carnival experience that’s as educational as it is fun, and that lets them explore their own culture in an accepting environment.
The workshop to build personalized carnival Barbies was just one in a series called “Carnival Canvas,” inspired by the parade and meant to introduce young girls to different creative pursuits, and help them better understand their own culture. The workshops are funded by Artreach and the Toronto Arts Council.
Ms. Abdul hopes that the events also remind the girls about the origins of Carnival, which celebrates the rebellion against enslavement.
“It’s about your freedom,” said Brampton, Ont.-based Sabrina Sooknanan, who led the workshop and who designs mas (short for masquerade) costumes. Initially she made Carnival Barbies for her friends so they could remember what they wore, but after seeing them gain popularity on social media, she started selling customized dolls so other people could have a mini version of their costume. “There’s so many ways to be involved in the carnival space other than just putting on a costume and being on the road,” she added.
The girls shared their creations with The Globe and Mail.
