Parents praise Mattel for Barbie which creates representation for 'community'

25 April 2023 , 16:47

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Ellie Goldstein praised the launch (Image: PA)

Barbie lovers say their hearts have been 'filled with joy' after Mattel unveiled its first-ever Barbie doll with Down's syndrome.

The historic launch has also been praised by parents delighted to learn the toy company consulted with the USA's National Down's Syndrome Society (NDSS) to design the toy.

Mattel's first doll with an intellectual disability, the toy was designed to represent and celebrate people with Down's syndrome.

As a result of the consultation, the £13.99 Barbie has a shorter frame and longer torso to be more illustrative of women with the condition. She also has a rounder face, with smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge.

Mattel worked alongside USA's National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to design the doll (PA)

Meanwhile, the doll's pink pendant necklace features three upward chevrons to represent the three copies of the 21st chromosome, and her palms include a single line, a characteristic often associated with people with the condition.

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Talking to Parents, the president and CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society, who is also a parent of a child with Down's syndrome, emphasised the importance of the launch.

"This doll is about representation, awareness, acceptance, and inclusion," said Pickard. "It isn't just a Barbie with Down syndrome. It's a representation of our entire community."

The parent added: "The Down syndrome Barbie reflects children and adults who didn't see themselves reflected before."

She said she feels 'so happy that there is a Barbie with Down's syndrome' (Mattel, Inc./Cover Images)

British model Ellie Goldstein, 21, who teamed up on a campaign with Mattel for the launch, also spoke of the joy she experienced when she first saw a Barbie with the same condition as her.

"I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down's syndrome," said Ellie, one of Vogue's cover stars this May.

"Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed - it meant a lot to me and I'm so honoured and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.

"Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away."

It's a sentiment that has been echoed across social media in the hours after the announcement.

Barbie's first doll with Down's syndrome has been praised by many (PA)

Reacting to the news on Twitter, one fan said: "Heart just filled with joy." Another wrote: "Beautiful! #RepresentationMatters." And a third said: "Love love love this."

Someone else added: "I think she's adorable. My daughter's have a doll in a wheelchair. I got this for them when I started needing a wheelchair. Children learn through play and seeing diversity in their dolls is a good thing."

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Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & dolls, Mattel said: "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."

The new Barbie will form part of the company's Fashionistas range, and it is available to pre-order from today (April 25).

Will you be buying the new Barbie doll? Let us know in the comments.

Danielle Kate Wroe