Review: Diwali by Anita Dongre

There are some dolls who catch my eye, some who even turn my head, but very few capture me entirely.

The Barbie Diwali doll, designed in collaboration with Indian fashion designer Anita Dongre, is one of those rare gems. She had me at "Moonlight Bloom," and I knew from the moment I saw her that she was a must-have.

This doll brought back memories of when I first discovered the 1994 Native American Barbie. I remember spotting her in the doll aisle and being mesmerized—her black hair and warm complexion were a welcome departure from the blonde-haired Barbies that dominated the stores in my little corner of the world. It was a moment of excitement and connection, one that made her an instant favorite. The Barbie Diwali doll sparked that same reaction. So much for being an adult, huh?

When the seller warned me that the box was damaged during shipping to her, and asked if I wanted to cancel, I couldn’t help but laugh. This doll was never going to stay in her packaging anyway—she was destined to be freed! It was waiting to free her, in order to get pictures for today’s post, that was the real challenge - I had to wait a whole 14 hours. What can I say, what little patience I have is generally eaten by meetings that could have been emails. For my younger readers (if I ever have any), someday you’l know what I mean. My condolences.

A Closer Look at Her Ensemble

Her outfit is lovely. Dressed in a Moonlight Bloom lehenga, choli, and floral koti vest, the faux embroidery features dahlias, jasmine, and Indian lotus—each a symbol of strength and beauty. The vibrant colors and intricate details are very pretty, and they suit the doll very well. Then again, I think some dolls, much like the fabulous Mz. Monroe herself, would look good even in a potato sack.

I would have loved to see them use quality fabrics, like this gorgeous outfit from Mimidollss (no longer on Etsy), but I know that would likely have increased her price significantly. Mattel could have at least embroidered the embroidery instead of simply printing it on the fabric. It feels lesser than it should have been, which is unfortunate—this doll deserves luxury and celebration.

Infact, Mimidollss has already used her as a model in one of their gown designs. How beautiful is this?!

Her accessories add to her charm, with glowing gold earrings, a set of delicate bangles, and a matching pair of gold heels. I’m actually impressed with the earrings and the bangles, both feel very much like a departure from the typical lackluster accessories Mattel generally tosses on these dolls. These accessories feel thoughtful, and they’re more intricate. Maybe its my imagination, but they also feel somehow sturdier. I’d love if this signalled a new direction for Mattel on the whole, these accessories are most certainly appreciated.

Unfortunately, the same acan’t be said about the shoes. Maybe I’m just not a shoe girl? But these look flimsy.

Makeup and Hair

Her face is gorgeous and her makeup are perfectly executed—tasteful and demure, absolutely stunning. Softly arched brows frame her captivating eyes, a subtle flush of blush highlights her cheeks, and her lips are painted in a flattering tone. Complementing her look is a traditional red bindi on her forehead, a meaningful and culturally significant touch that adds to the authenticity and elegance of the doll.

I don’t think they could have done a better job on this face, I really don’t.

Her hair is another standout feature. Dark brown and black (streaks), sleekly pulled back, it flows into long, wavy tresses that curl gently at the ends. The style is polished and sophisticated. I would have liked it to be longer, but I do think it’s lovely, and at this length, quite manageable.

Articulation and Body Details

As an adult who poses her dolls, I was happy to discover that she has an articulated Fashionista body, offering articulation at the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. While it doesn’t have the full range of motion of a Made to Move Barbie, the articulation is similar to that of Integrity Toys’ Fashion Royalty dolls.

I bent her hips as far as they would go, same with the knees and elbows. I didn’t want to break her. Unfortunately, she’ll have a tough time touching her face and folding her arms.

Here she is next to a made to move barbie, so you can get an idea of their body differences:

One limitation is her fixed-ankle design, which means she’s restricted to wearing heels. As with most of my dolls, though, this one will be getting a made to move body, assuming I can find a skintone match for her.

That being said, what the fuck is this?:

This isn’t the first doll Mattel has created that has this horrible texture shift beneath her clothes. For those that don’t want to rebody these dolls, I’m afraid they’ll either have to wear very specific length outfits to hide this, or photoshop it out. Am I the only one who thinks this is weird?! I wish Mattel would stop whatever is causing this, because it’s really horrible.

Final Thoughts

The Barbie Diwali doll is not just a standout; she’s a reminder of why I love dolls. Her elegance, thoughtful design, and the story behind her creation make her truly special. While her outfit isn’t embroidered, and she has a weird texture shift on her legs, I still think she was very much worth it…even if I had to wait to open up the box.

Before I close, I’d like to thank you all for your patience. Since the passing of my little fluffy family member, it’s been difficult to get excited about much. The motivation to participate in things seemed to disappear in that moment, but I’m trying.

Not a great note to close on, so, indulge me: Have you added the Barbie Diwali doll to your collection, or is she on your wishlist? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!