Born in 1948 to a modest family in Spartanburg, S.C., Kitty Black Perkins grew up in a household where dolls were a luxury her parents could not afford. From a young age, she learned the art of sewing from her mother and grandmother, which sparked her creativity in designing her own outfits. After completing high school, Perkins moved to Los Angeles to pursue her passion for fashion design at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. She earned her Associate’s degree in 1971 and began her career working for a couture designer. Five years later, she responded to a newspaper advertisement from Mattel seeking a fashion designer. Her talent shone through, and she was hired in 1976. The six designs she had created for the job interview became an instant success.

Perkins became Mattel's first Black Chief Designer, a position in which she played a pivotal role in shaping the Barbie line for nearly three decades. She was instrumental in creating the first Black Barbie doll, which debuted in 1980. Her other creations include the Brandy doll, the Fashion Savvy Collection, Bath Time Barbie, Tangerine Twist' Barbie, Uptown Chic, and Dance with Me. Aside from Barbie dolls, she worked on 'Shani &…