Barbie Launches Doll With Down Syndrome In Historic First

Apr 26, 2023 by apost team

In a bid to help children see themselves represented by the toy industry, Barbie has released a host of new dolls that celebrate inclusivity under its Fashionista line, including some with hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs and vitiligo. Now, it has launched its first-ever doll with Down syndrome. 

The new doll is the culmination of a collaboration between the toymaker and the National Down Syndrome Society. Among its features representative of those with Down syndrome are a "rounder shape… almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears and a flat nasal bridge," according to the toymaker. The doll also sports hot pink orthotics.

"The doll's palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down's syndrome," Barbie's manufacturer Mattel added.

Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel, Lisa McKnight, explained the motivation behind the new doll.

"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," she said.

The doll also sports a necklace bearing a symbol of the condition that comprises three arrows, which represent the three 21st chromosomes that result in Down syndrome. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 6,000 babies in the United States are born with Down syndrome each year.

National Down Syndrome Society Kayla McKeon told "Good Morning America" on Apr. 25, 2023, that she was thrilled by the doll, which she hoped would "showcase the ability of somebody with Down syndrome."

"When I was talking to Barbie about her design, I thought it is incredible and it's definitely going to be a best-seller today. I cannot wait to see my friends and my peers have a doll that looks just like me," McKeon added.

In September 2022, Mattel's UK marketing director, Kelly Philp, told Insider that Barbie's Fashionistas line was aimed at representing people from across the vast spectrum of abilities and normalizing differences. 

"The Fashionistas line began with a variety of skin tones, hair colors and textures, eye colours and facial structures and has since expanded to include body diversity, dolls reflecting permanent disabilities, dolls with no hair and dolls with skin conditions like vitiligo, across Barbie and Ken," Philp said.

Philp added that the line has seen overwhelmingly good reviews and elicited positive feedback from members of the new communities that are now being represented by Barbie.

"We have been working over the past decade to be more reflective and the Fashionistas line is the most diverse doll line in the market, with expansions in different skin tones and hair textures, body diversity, and dolls reflecting people with permanent disabilities," Philp stated.

Meanwhile, the National Down Syndrome Society said demand for a Barbie with Down syndrome has been increasing over the years.

"I have to say that the Down syndrome community has been asking for a Barbie with Down syndrome, and Mattel listened, and we feel represented in our community," the society's president and CEO, Kandi Pickard, told "Good Morning America."

On Apr. 24, 2023, a model with Down syndrome, Ellie Goldstein, took to Instagram to share how "emotional" and "proud" she was with Barbie's new offering.

"It means a lot to me that children will be able to play with the doll and learn that everyone is different. … Diversity is important as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away, Barbie will help make this happen," she wrote.

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How great is it that Barbie has expanded to include such an inclusive line? Are you planning to order any of the Fashionistas dolls anytime soon? Let us know, and don't forget to pass this along to friends and family, too.