Mattel releases its first ever Barbie with Down’s syndrome
Mattel has announced the release of its first ever Barbie with Down Syndrome in an effort to represent even more little girls around the world.
The brand’s latest doll will be available to pre-order from Smyths in the UK from today.
British model Ellie Goldstein, 21, who lives with Down syndrome and has worked with Vogue, Gucci and Adidas, celebrated the new doll’s arrival and admitted she was “overwhelmed” with joy when she saw the toy.
Mattel teamed up with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US to design the doll to better represent women with the condition, and she has a shorter frame and longer torso, as well as features generally associated with the down syndrome.
The Barbie is released as part of the brand’s inclusive Fashionistas collection.
Mattel has released its first ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome as part of its inclusive Fashionista line. Pictured: British model Ellie Goldstein revealed she was “overwhelmed” by the toy’s arrival
Her face and body is larger than other Barbie dolls to reflect the body shape of many women with Down syndrome.
Her face is also rounder, with smaller ears, a flat nose bridge and almond-shaped eyes. Her palm contains a single line, which is a feature associated with Down syndrome.
The doll is dressed in blue and yellow dresses with a butterfly pattern: the colors associated with Down syndrome awareness.
Her pink necklace made of three upward chevrons, representing the three copies of the 21st chromosome.
This genetic material causes the characteristics associated with the condition. The chevrons, which resemble small arrows, are a symbol of “The Lucky Few,” representing the people living with Down syndrome.
Mattel has left nothing to chance and the choice of shoes for this Barbie is also important.
The doll, which was designed with the help of the US National Down Syndrome Society, has several features and symbols associated with the condition, from her face to her body shape. The blue and yellow colors of her dress are associated with DS awareness, and her ankle-foot orthotics are worn by many people living with the condition
The doll’s face is rounder, with smaller ears, a flat nose bridge, and almond-shaped eyes. Her palm contains a single line, which is a feature associated with Down syndrome
She wears pink ankle-foot orthoses (aka AFOs for short) to match her other accessories.
AFOs are mostly used in the US for children with the condition, and while not all people with Down syndrome wear them, Mattel chose to represent the adaptive gear by including them as accessories for his doll.
Kandi Pickard, the president and CEO of the NDSS, said it was an “honor” to advise on the doll’s thoughtful design.
“This means so much to our community, who for the first time can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them,” she said.
This Barbie reminds us never to underestimate the power of representation. It’s a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment we celebrate,” she added.
Ellie Goldstein was one of the first to see the doll in the UK and was overwhelmed with emotion.
Ellie, who has worked with Gucci and Adidas and is one of the cover stars of British Vogue in May, said the doll in the photo means a lot to her
The model said she is ‘honoured’ to introduce the doll to the British public, adding that diversity should be on display and not ‘hidden’
The Barbie is part of the Fashionista lines, which include a Ken with a prosthetic leg and dolls of different ethnicities and body shapes
The model, who is one of the cover stars of British Vogue in May, said: ‘I’m so glad there’s a Barbie with Down syndrome. When I saw the doll I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I am so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.
“Diversity is important to me because people need to see more people like me in the world and not be hidden,” she added.
Carol Boys, the managing director of the UK Down Syndrome Association, also welcomed the doll’s addition to the Fashionista line.
“As the UK’s only charity supporting all aspects of Down syndrome, we often hear from families who feel their children are not being represented enough in the mainstream media,” she said:
“So we welcome the fact that children in our community can play with a doll that represents them and their lives. We look forward to seeing her on shelves alongside Barbies wearing hearing aids, using wheelchairs and celebrating inclusion,” she added.
This year, the Fashionista collection also includes a Barbie with braces and a Ken with a prosthetic leg.
“As the most diverse line of dolls on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are committed to doing our part to help eradicate social stigma through play,” said Lisa McKnight, the Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel.
Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls that do not resemble themselves.
“Playing with dolls outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world. We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better represent the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play,” she added.