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Barbie® doll’s pink ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) match her outfit perfectly and support her as she walks, while her white sneakers have a zipper detail so kids can easily slip them on and off! Ellie Goldstein, a British model with Down’s syndrome who has appeared in a campaign with the new Barbie, said she was “so happy” to see the new doll. She added: “Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”
Mattel said the new Barbie’s puff sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness. Like in advertising and the media, it’s important that kids with disabilities see themselves represented in the toys they play with, yet disabilities are underrepresented despite nearly 25% of the population living with a disability. Not only does playing with dolls with disabilities increase empathy in all children, but it’s especially affirming to kids with disabilities. Meaningful symbols are incorporated throughout her outfit, like butterflies -- which are a symbol of Down syndrome -- and the blue and yellow color palette, which represents Down syndrome awareness. She said: “I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down’s syndrome. Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed - it meant a lot to me and I’m so honoured and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world. Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”British model Ellie Goldstein poses with Barbie's first doll with Down's syndrome, the newest addition to the Fashionistas line Mattel recently has embraced a more inclusive approach to its 64-year-old iconic Barbie brand. But the company has long faced criticism for giving girls a role model of a female body type with unrealistic proportions. This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them. For decades after its debut in 1959, Barbie dolls continued to be light-skinned – white – slender, blonde, with a very narrow waist, ample bosom and always teetering on impossibly high heels.
AFO’s are most commonly used by children with Down’s syndrome in the US. While not all people with Down’s syndrome wear ankle foot orthotics as each person is unique, Barbie took the decision to promote the representation of adaptive equipment in the play space by including them as accessories. How is having a doll with Down syndrome not doing any of that? My daughter is strong. She’s independent, she loves who she is, she’s happy, she’s a self-advocate and an ambassador for numerous organizations. Her story is important too. Showing she’s a strong and capable little girl is important for other typical kids to see too. Having Charlie see a physical doll that looks similar to her shows that she’s worthy too. It shows all individuals who have Down syndrome that the world isn’t shutting them out and choosing not to include them. It shows that as a society, we are moving in the right direction and making sure that ALL individuals are represented equally. Finally, in 2016, as it faced softening sales of the doll, Mattel crafted Barbie into a more realistic depiction by making the newer dolls more inclusive and diverse in their appearance. Barbie was reintroduced in four body types and seven skin tones, with 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles. Her evolution continues with Barbie Fashionistas, which came three years later. Mattel Inc. announced a new Barbie doll with Down syndrome. It was created to give more children an opportunity to see themselves in Barbie, the company said.The doll wears a yellow and blue dress with butterflies, all symbols associated with Down syndrome awareness, according to NDSS. Since its inception in 1959, Barbie has introduced more than 175 looks with a variety in skin tones, hair textures, body diversity and dolls reflecting people with disabilities. This realisation – that play can be a valuable tool in shaping how children think – has sent toymakers around the world scrambling to better capture the rich diversity of the world around us. Dolls that are gender neutral, in wheelchairs or which have prosthetic limbs have proliferated in recent years. This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.” Designed to reflect the world kids see today, this diverse line of Barbie® Fashionistas™ showcases bright and trendy styles that make for endless storytelling possibilities.
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