Mexico bans Barbie-Frida Kahlo doll, sparking legal battle with Mattel

A Mexican court has banned the sale of a Barbie doll modeled after Frida Kahlo, ruling that it violates the artist's image rights and offends her memory. Mattel launched the doll on March 8, 2018, as part of its 'Inspiring Women' collection, which includes 14 Barbies honoring historical women such as Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson, and chef Hélène Darroze. The company aimed to modernize Barbie's image and respond to criticism of promoting stereotypical femininity. However, in Mexico, where Kahlo is a national icon, public outcry focused on the doll's lighter skin and lack of her signature unibrow. Kahlo's family, backed by the judiciary, obtained a nationwide sales ban. Mattel counters that it holds rights through an agreement with Frida Kahlo Corporation in Miami, which licenses Kahlo's name and identity for numerous products including clothing, perfume, and tequila. The company has announced legal action in the United States, hinting that the family's opposition may be financially motivated, as the doll sold out in Mexico within hours.