Meet Stacey McBride Irby of Gardena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey McBride Irby.

Hi Stacey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Now why would I be interested in a doll who looked nothing like me? Barbie was magical with sparkly blue eyes, long, silky blonde hair, tons of fashions to dress her perfect, peach colored physique. I loved playing with all of her dream accessories. By me being creative with a passion for drawing, Barbie inspired my desire to be a fashion designer. For encouragement, my dad shared an Los Angeles Times newspaper article of an African American Barbie designer right before heading to design school. After college, and a few design assistance jobs in the fashion industry, I cold called, interviewed with the LA times featured Barbie designer at Mattel. I was blessed to have her as my apprentice, learning everything about how to design “feature” Barbie’s My first advertised doll under Kitty Black Perkins was Dentist Barbie. After leaving the nest as Kitty’s assistant, I was able to design Disney Princess Barbie’s, I Can Be Career Barbie’s, Customized for Target Barbie’s, the first African American Sorority AKA Collector Barbie, and the African American line of Barbies called So in Style. The S.I.S. line was inspired by my daughter not enjoying Barbie like I did as a little girl, Disney was launching Princess Tiana, and Kitty’s Shani line of dolls from the 90’s. As I did Kitty, my community began to look up to me. The So in Style dolls were created as a positive reference with a variety of brown skin tones, hair textures, a fuller nose, lips, and the big sister mentored her little sister. Thanks to Mattel for believing in my story and ability, allowing me to create these doll, and the design team’s support, Stephen Sumner and Kimberly Kim. Kitty was retired at the time but was a surprise guest at the LA Urban League dinner where my 30th Anniversary of Black Barbie was auctioned off. Reconnecting with her was a proud moment then and being featured together in the Daytime Emmy winning, Netflix documentary, Black Barbie.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggle was having to give up my career at Mattel and choose my family due to the longer work hours. When I left my dream job, I created the Prettie girl dolls which allowed me to work from home. It was tough getting funding and paid but the dolls did make it to retail at Walmart and Toys r Us. Unfortunately due to this, it was a struggle to get back into the Toy Industry. I had to reinvent myself, start my career over from scratch in customer service. Now I’m an HR Learning and Development Coordinator. Some speaking and diversity design opportunities are solicited along the way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As stated in some of my story, I am a former Barbie doll designer. I was at Mattel, as a Project Designer for 15 years. I am most proud of the So in Style line of African American Barbie Dolls. I am set apart because I am living a childhood dream. Barbie inspired my desire to be a fashion designer, and I was blessed to design for my favorite doll, icon. It’s like a fairytale story. My creativity and purpose to be an example to my community is a passion. And to be featured in a Black Barbie documentary, doing what I love to do which wins not one but two Daytime Emmy Awards!

How do you define success?
I define success as doing what makes you happy, which trickles down to others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mcirby.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceymcirby/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forbes/videos/i-couldnt-imagine-being-a-black-barbie-designer-at-mattel-at-the-time-when-i-was/1154418225779479/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacey-mcbride-irby-79a91517/
• Twitter: https://x.com/staceymcirby
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgGvEJ5DW7U
• Other: https://www.womenintoys.com/member-spotlight/stacey-mcbride-irby