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Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.” Barbie® Fashionistas™ celebrate diversity and offer endless possibilities for storytelling and fashion exploration. With this inclusive range of dolls, kids can see how fun it is to express personality through style! They’re an ideal gift for fashion-loving kids everywhere. Each sold separately, subject to availability. Dolls cannot stand alone. Colors and decorations may vary. Mattel said it consulted the NDSS and medical professionals to inform the design process, introducing a new face and body sculpt to be more illustrative of women with Down’s syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso. But at least one doll maker disagrees with American Girl’s position — Kristy Leigh Walker, a master doll maker who has been creating lifelike dolls with Down syndrome for more than five years. If a company like American Girl followed her lead, Walker told The Mighty, beautiful dolls with Down syndrome could be provided to thousands of people around the world. 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.”
She said: “I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down’s syndrome. 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.This realisation – that play can be a valuable tool in shaping how children think – has sent toymakers around the world scrambling to better capture the rich diversity of the world around us. Dolls that are gender neutral, in wheelchairs or which have prosthetic limbs have proliferated in recent years. The newest Fashionista doll, which Mattel said was reviewed by a medical professional, 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, a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape. The new Barbie is part of Mattel's Barbie Fashionista line of dolls which champions diverse representations of beauty and appearance. Mattel
The move was welcomed by charities, with Carol Boys, chief executive of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association, saying: “Children in our community will be able to play with a doll that represents them.”
Meaningful symbols are incorporated throughout her outfit, like butterflies -- which are a symbol of Down syndrome -- and the blue and yellow color palette, which represents Down syndrome awareness. American Girl has stated that their purpose is to, ‘Build character through strong characters, represent every girl’s story and focus on authenticity,’” Robertson said, adding: The doll’s puff sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colours, which are symbols associated with Down’s syndrome awareness
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