The Kristi Yamaguchi celebrity doll depicts her a herself at age 20 when she won the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Champion in Albertville for women’s singles figure skating. The Black Label Kristi Yamaguchi  Signature Barbie was released by Mattel April 23, 2024 as part of the Inspiring Women Series. The doll was designed by Carlyle Nuera and retailed for $35.

The museum also has the 1998 Playmate Kristi Yamaguchi doll.

Yamaguchian is American figure skate, author, and philanthropist.   In addition to her Olympic Gold, Yamaguchi won two gold medals in the World Figure Skating Championships in 1991 and 1992.  She went on to compete on the professional skating circuit and spent over ten years with the IMG/Scott Hamilton Stars On Ice figure skating tour.  She has appeared on a number of television shows as herself and in 2008 was the celebrity champion of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Barbie®
Doll

U.S. & WORLD CHAMPION FIGURE SKATER, AUTHOR, PHILANTHROPIST

INSPIRING WOMEN™
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI

Barbie® recognizes all female role models.  The Inspiring Women™ Series pays tribute to incredible heroines if their time. Courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.

After watching figure skaters perform in the Ice Follies Show, Kristi Yamaguchi immediately fell in love with the sport. She was merely 6 years old at the time.  By sixth grade, she was waking up at dawn for five-hour practice sessions on the ice before going to school.  Her discipline, dedication, and determination led her to compete in pairs and singles competitions. Kristi won her first big title at sixteen years old at the 1988 World Junior Championships in both singles and pairs, which is a rare accomplishment. She went on to compete in major worldwide events, delighting audiences and judges in combining difficult and technically challenging jumps along with exquisite artistry, poise, and grace.  In 1992, Kristi became the first Asian-American woman to win a coveted Gold Medal in figure skating at the Winter Games in Albertville, France. Her stellar work champion figure skating career earned her induction in two acclaimed skating Halls of Fame.  In her post-skating career, Kristi has authored several best-selling children’s books, and founded Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, an early childhood literacy organization.  A champions on and off the ice, Kristi Yamagchi demonstrates what is takes to be an exceptional athlete and a passionate advocate for the well-being of children.

Girls need more role models like Kristi Yamaguchi because imagining they can be anything is just the beginning. Actually seeing that they can makes all the difference.

The Yamaguchi Barbie comes wearing replica of the black and gold skating outfit from her Olympic Gold performance.  The dress is black with an attached black with gold flower material long sleeved jacket type top. There is a a skin toned net neck and a black tulle skirt.

There are no tights, but on her feet are a pair of Harlick branded figure skating boots.  She comes with a very heavy black plastic bouquet of white and red flowers.

The face is painted with brown eyes and bright red, open mouth lips. She has two painted moles, orange eye shadow, and faint blush.  The long black rooted hair is tied is a long ponytail with bangs and a gold bow.

The doll comes with a gold plastic waist grabbing stand and a Certificate of Authenticity.

The body of the doll is a Mattel petite made-to-move with articulation at the neck, shoulders, upper arms(turn), elbows (double jointed to bend 180°), wrists, hips, thighs(turn), knees (double jointed to bend 180°), and ankles.

Kristi Yamaguchi’s 1992 Gold Medal Olympic performance from Youtube.

Kristi Yamagchi’s Dancing with the Stars performances.