Mattel Introduces First Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome Representation

As part of its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, Mattel has introduced a Barbie doll that accurately represents individuals with Down syndrome. Photo credit: Mattel

Mattel, the company behind the iconic Barbie doll, has recently introduced its first-ever version of a Barbie representing a person with Down syndrome. The new doll is part of the Barbie Fashionistas line, which aims to offer kids more diverse representations of beauty and fight the stigma around physical disabilities. This is a significant step forward for the toy industry, as representation in toys is essential in creating a more inclusive world.

As someone with Cerebral Palsy who uses a wheelchair, I can attest to the fact that growing up, I never had any toys that looked like me. It can be challenging to feel seen and included when the toys and media around you only depict a narrow definition of "normal." However, with the new Barbie Fashionista, children with Down syndrome can now have a toy that accurately represents them. This means so much for the community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them.

Mattel worked closely with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) on the doll’s shape, features, clothing, accessory, and packaging to ensure that it accurately represents a person with Down syndrome. The genetic condition affects cognitive ability, causing mild to severe learning disabilities and distinctive facial characteristics. The new Barbie wears a pink ankle foot orthotic to match her dress, and her sneakers feature a zipper to represent children with Down syndrome, some of whom use orthotics to support their feet and ankles.

The new Fashionista doll introduces a new face and body sculpt illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso. The face features a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape. Its palms include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome.

Mattel unveiled a new addition to its Barbie Fashionistas line, which is the first-ever Barbie doll to represent a person with Down syndrome. Photo credit: Mattel

Moreover, the doll’s pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons, a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community, represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome, which is the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The Barbie’s puff-sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness.

Mattel's goal with the doll is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie, while also encouraging children to play with dolls who do not look like themselves. As Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s executive vice president and global head of Barbie & dolls, stated, "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 syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play."

Mattel has recently 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. 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's Barbie Fashionista line of dolls, which aims to offer more inclusive and diverse representations of beauty and appearance, now includes a doll representing a person with Down syndrome. Photo credit: Mattel

In conclusion, Mattel's introduction of a Barbie representing a person with Down syndrome is a significant milestone in promoting inclusion and diversity in toys. It is an essential step forward in creating a more inclusive world where children can see themselves reflected in the toys they play with. The new Barbie doll serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation.