Mattel has recently released a new celebrity Barbie in acknowledgement of International Women’s Day.

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As part of their Inspiring Women series, Mattel has recently added the Frida Kahlo Barbie to the shelf. According to Mattel.com, “The Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before.”

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The artist, who was born in Mexico in 1907, is widely known for her innovation not only in her craft but as a feminist icon. Overcoming the violence and controversy that has followed her throughout her entire life, Kahlo has long been a symbol of strength and fighting adversity.  Additionally, her work indicated a change in modern art, as her unique realist/fantastical and uncensored technique brought up important ideas about identity and self image.

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Additionally, because Kahlo does not fit the conventional standards of beauty as society typically defines them, with her characteristic thick unibrow and physical ailments, causing her to use a wheelchair.

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Mattel has justified the creation of this doll by stating, “The Barbie Inspiring Women Frida Kahlo doll celebrates the groundbreaking achievements, heroism, and long-lasting contributions Frida made in the art world and for women. Her extraordinary life and art continue to influence and inspire others to follow their dreams and paint their own realities.”

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However, though Mattel stated that they created this Barbie to inspire future generations, they have encountered significant backlash.

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In fact, Kahlo’s own family did not approve of the doll.  Kahlo’s niece, Mara de Ande Romeo spoke out about the difference between her aunt’s appearance and that of the Barbie.

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“I would have liked the doll to have traits more like Frida’s, not this doll with light-colored eyes,” Romeo stated, according to the BBC.  In addition, she was notably upset about the misrepresentation of Kahlo’s brow.

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Romeo’s lawyer, Pablo Sangri, spoke on her behalf to The Guardian.

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“We will talk to them about regularizing this situation,” he said. “And by regularizing I mean talking about the appearance of the doll, its characteristics, the history the doll should have to match what the artist really was.”

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Actress and activist Salma Hayek also spoke out about the lack of likeness between the artist and the doll. Hayek was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Kahlo in the 2002 film, “Frida,” directed by Julie Taymor.

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"#FridaKahlo never tried to be or look like anyone else. She celebrated her uniqueness. How could they turn her into a Barbie," Hayek wrote on her personal instagram including two “thumbs down” emojis.

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Additionally, many have noted the significant absence of the wheelchair that Kahlo used for a large portion of her life. This absence is especially distressing to fans of Kahlo, who had seen the chair frequently depicted in self portraits of the artist.