When you’ve got a Barbie child in your life you then’re in all probability aware of the Fashionista line. These should not your mom’s Barbies — or your Barbies, for that matter.
Since 2016, the Fashionista dolls have provided children greater than 175 appears to be like in quite a lot of pores and skin tones, eye colours, hair colours and textures, physique varieties, disabilities and fashions. There are dolls that use wheelchairs (my daughter’s hands-down favourite), dolls with vitiligo and alopecia, and others with prosthetics and listening to aids all to raised reflecting the extensive world of children taking part in with them. And now, Barbie is introducing the primary blind Barbie and the primary Black Barbie with Down syndrome of their newest Fashionista lineup.
The corporate partnered with the American Basis for the Blind (AFB) and Nationwide Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to make sure doll designs precisely replicate the communities they’re designed to symbolize.
The blind Barbie, whose eyes higher replicate the typically distinct gaze of a blind particular person, comes with a white and pink cane with an identifiable “marshmallow tip” and cute sun shades. (Some blind or low-vision people are delicate to gentle, so these give Barbie the extra eye safety she wants.) She additionally has elbow articulations to make sure extra sensible cane use.
Each her clothes and packaging had been designed with accessibility in thoughts. Her outfit is vibrant and tactile (satiny shirt, ruffled skirt) —with excessive distinction hook and loop fasteners and an elastic waistband for simpler outfit swaps — and the field she is available in consists of braille.
“It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the event of the blind Barbie doll,” stated Eric Bridges, CEO and President of AFB. “Barbie was dedicated to symbolize people with blindness and low imaginative and prescient all through all levels of the design course of, from the doll’s sculpt to the gown sample: objective is to encourage boundless alternatives for everybody, finally resulting in a world of better accessibility and inclusion.”
Whereas Barbie launched a doll with Down syndrome final yr (incomes Mattel a Company Social Accountability Initiative of the 12 months award offered by the Toy Affiliation), the doll solely got here in a white pores and skin tone. This yr, Barbie as soon as once more partnered with the Nationwide Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) and a spotlight group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome group to make sure authenticity within the doll’s sculpt, hair, style (her blue and yellow gown represents Down syndrome consciousness) and glasses. This Barbie has a shorter body, longer torso, and facial options widespread amongst people with Down syndrome.
“NDSS is thrilled to introduce a second Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Having this doll launched alongside the brand new Barbie doll with Blindness marks one other necessary step in increasing illustration for the incapacity group,” stated Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of NDSS. “We’re proud to accomplice with Barbie as they develop to replicate our numerous and delightful world.”
Imaginative play is how youngsters study to navigate and perceive the world. So these dolls are necessary illustration for blind and low-vision children and Black youngsters with Down syndrome. However they’re additionally glorious additions to any baby’s Barbie assortment. As a result of it’s not simply the children who can see themselves in these toys who profit, however youngsters who may discover a higher connection to their friends who’re blind and/or have Down syndrome.
“We acknowledge that Barbie is rather more than only a doll,” stated Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and World Head of Dolls for Mattel. “She represents self-expression and might create a way of belonging … [these new dolls] reinforce our dedication to creating merchandise that symbolize international belonging and inclusivity within the doll aisle.”
The 2024 Fashionistas dolls, together with the blind Barbie doll and Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome, can be found on-line now and in retailer this Summer time at main retailers for $10.99.
