Britt Jones
Mattel announced today a first in the world of Barbie - a doll with Down's syndrome.
As part of the Mattel Barbie Fashionistas line, the dolls included within the range are released represent diversity and to challenge the beauty standards around disabilities in order to help support children with how they view themselves.
In other versions of Barbie Fashionistas, there have been dolls that feature a prosthetic leg, hearing aids, a wheelchair user, and a doll with the skin condition Vitiligo.
And for the newest Barbie Fashionista dolls, Mattel has said that it worked very closely with the National Down's syndrome Society to get the correct representation of the features of a person with the genetic disorder.
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This included the doll’s shape, facial features, clothing, accessories, and packaging.
Down's syndrome is a genetic condition which affects cognitive ability, which often causes learning disabilities that range on severity.
Kandi Pickard, the NDSS president and CEO, said in a statement: “This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them.”
“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.”
The intricacies of the details provided to this doll for accuracy and representation includes palms with a single line, which is something often associated with Down's syndrome, according to Mattel.
The new Barbie outfit is also conscious of what she wears. For example, she wears a pink ankle foot orthotics to support her feet and ankles.
And the doll’s necklace includes three upward chevrons which is a symbol that unites the Down's syndrome community and represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome.
Ellie Goldstein, a model and advocate for people with Down's syndrome, said she was 'overwhelmed' after seeing the doll, stating: "Diversity is important... as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away."
Mattel’s executive vice president, Lisa McKnight stated: “Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves.”
With a shared goal to 'counter social stigma through play', the brand wants to help others to understand each other.
McKnight concluded: “Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy… We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down's syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.”
Mattel has been adding inclusivity to the 64-year-old iconic Barbie brand over the last few years, which is largely due to the age-old criticism the brand has faced for creating dolls with unrealistic body standards.
After its debut in 1959, Barbie dolls were always white, slim, and blonde, big breasted and long legged.
Finally, as sales started to soften in 2016, Mattel decided to mould Barbie into a more realistic depiction by making newer dolls which showed inclusive and diverse appearances, such as different body types and skin tones.