A Day at the Museum with Kitty Black Perkins
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Join Kitty Black Perkins for a day at the museum!
Join us at the museum for a Peaches ‘n Cream-themed all-day celebration with our guest Kitty Black Perkins. The day will include special museum exhibits showcasing her design work, lunch, activities, moderated conversations with Kitty, and more.
Registration is required at https://ncmdtm.org/event/kitty-black-perkins/
Date & Location:
Saturday, October 10, 2026
9:30 am to 4:00 pm
At the NC Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures at 440 South Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28159
Our guest is Kitty Black Perkins, creator of the first Black Barbie and Chief Designer of Fashions & Doll Concepts (1976-2003) for Mattel’s Barbie.
Kitty became the first Black designer at Mattel in 1976 and remained with the company for almost three decades, becoming the Chief Designer of Fashions and Doll Concepts. She designed Black Barbie in 1980 in addition to a long list of other iconic and beloved Mattel creations.
Kitty grew up in Spartanburg, SC. After high school, she moved to California and attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College. She graduated with a degree in fashion design, and she worked in the fashion industry for six years before her career at Mattel started.
In addition to Black Barbie, Kitty has worked on the designs of too many iconic Barbies to count – among them are the Sun Lovin’ Malibu line, Golden Dreams Christie and Barbie, Peaches ‘n Cream Barbie, Superstar Barbie, Day to Nite Barbie, Barbie and the Rockers, Brandi, and the Lounge Cats.
Kitty is a true legend in the doll community and beyond for her deep creativity and versatility, passion, dedication, and brand-defining designs. The world of Barbie wouldn’t be the same without her, and we are so honored and excited to welcome Kitty and a community of Barbie fans to the museum to celebrate her work!
Cost is $90 for museum members, $95 for non-members. You can become a member while you register if desired. Add a souvenir t-shirt for $28. Our museum is a nonprofit.
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.