Meet Makena Williams, Evette Peeters, and Maritza Ochoa—three friends working together to make their world a better place. As told in a unique series of overlapping stories, the three young friends find their voices on important social issues, like racial justice, environmentalism, and immigrant rights. Their relevant, timely stories show girls that they don’t need to wait until they grow up to make a difference—they can do it right now! And best of all, standing up for what you believe in can be fun...and fashionable!
American Girl x HFR
Inspired by Makena’s use of fashion to stand up for important issues, American Girl partnered with Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) to create exclusive outfits for each World By Us character. HFR is a premier design agency that creates a bridge between brands and designers of color in fashion. Founded by Brandice Daniel, HFR aims to champion and uplift designers of color. “HFR and American Girl understand passion and purpose,” says Daniel. “For our youth today, this partnership is all about possibilities and what it means to stand tall and dream big—no matter your race, culture, gender, or background.”
Watch with your girl and hear more from Daniel about American Girl’s partnership with HFR in this video:
Meet the Designers
Three celebrated designers, Samantha Black, Nichole Lynel, and Kristian Lorén, created exclusive outfits for each World By Us character. You and your girl can learn more about each designer in the videos below.
Nichole Lynel x Makena
An LA-based fashion designer, author, influencer, and creative entrepreneur, Nichole Lynel has been featured in Ebony, Essence, InStyle, and Forbes. Lynel designed two outfits that shine as bright as Makena does, which she talks about below.
To me, fashion is the way that you can say what you want to the world before they even hear you open your mouth.
-Nichole Lynel
Samantha Black x Evette
A graduate of Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and a contestant on Project Runway in 2013, Samntha’s Sammy B line takes inspiration from her own culture to New York City—and beyond. Watch with your girl and learn more about Black’s approach to Evette’s outfits below.
What excites me about the World By Us dolls is that it’s taking inclusivity to the next level.
-Samantha Black
Kristian Lorén x Maritza
Since developing a passion for fashion at an early age, Kristian has been featured in Vogue and made her New York Fashion Week debut in September 2020. Watch with your girl to see how Maritza’s outfits came to life in this video:
If I can encourage or help a young girl discover who they are or what they want to be, sign me up.
-Kristian Lorén
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