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Parents' Guide to

Barbie Fashion Design Maker

By Amanda Bindel, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

One outfit, many fabrics available in limited toy tie-in.

Barbie Fashion Design Maker Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

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Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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BARBIE FASHION DESIGN MAKER is very limited compared to other design apps, but that's simply because it's designed to match up with the printable outfit available with the toy. The options for patterns, colors, and accessories -- and the option to create your own pattern -- allow for a surprising number of fun design options, but there's no way to remove the pink necklace Barbie is wearing. Diversity is not limited to the outfit choice; although kids have the option of choosing a white or an African-America Barbie, the two look exactly alike, shape and feature-wise, with only differently colored skin, eyes, and hair.

App Details

  • Devices: iPad , Android
  • Subjects: Language & Reading : vocabulary, Hobbies : fashion
  • Skills: Creativity : imagination, making new creations
  • Pricing structure: Free (The app is designed to pair with the Barbie Fashion Design toy that retails for $49.99 and allows kids to print onto special fabric the designs they create with the app.)
  • Release date: July 23, 2014
  • Category: Entertainment
  • Topics: Arts and Dance
  • Publisher: Mattel, Inc.
  • Version: 1.1
  • Minimum software requirements: iOS 6.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up
  • Last updated: July 8, 2020

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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