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Barbie introduces its first doll with Down syndrome in new Fashionistas lineup

The doll and her accessories were designed in close collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society.

Mattel

Barbie's newest lineup of Fashionistas includes a Barbie with Down syndrome.

Ever since she made her debut in 1959, Barbie has been both celebrated for her wide range of careers and criticized for her unrealistic body image. As the first mass-produced doll toy with adult features, Barbie has been an iconic part of childhood imaginary play for decades despite her controversy, and as the hype around the new Barbie feature film shows, she's still a favorite among fans.

One way Barbie has managed to stay relevant is by evolving with the times. In her earliest years, she defied the 50s housewife expectation of women and showed girls that they could have any job they wanted. Since then, Mattel has broadened Barbie's initial blonde bombshell look to allow more girls to see themselves in Barbie's features.

For instance, meet one of the newest Barbie Fashionistas—the first Barbie to have Down syndrome.

Designed in close collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), the doll was made to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome. The NDSS had input in her design from start to finish, with the goal of having her look and accessories be reflective of the Down syndrome community.

Barbie with Down syndrome

Barbie has introduced its first doll with Down syndrome.

Mattel

Some of the features that are unique to this doll are a shorter frame and longer torso, a rounder face, smaller ears, a flatter nasal bridge and sligthly slanted, almond-shaped eyes—specifications designed to make Barbie more illustrative of women with Down syndrome. Even the palms of this Barbie's hands are purposefully designed, with a single line on the palm, which is a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome (but can also be seen in people with other conditions).

The doll’s dress features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are associated with Down syndrome awareness. And her pink pendant necklace shape represents the three copies of the 21st chromosome, which is what causes the syndrome's signature characteristics.

"The three chevrons, or arrows, are a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community and are meant to represent 'the lucky few' who have someone with Down syndrome in their life," shares Mattel.

Finally, since some children with Down syndrome wear orthotics to support their feet and ankles, the doll has been fashioned with a pair of pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit.

Barbie Fashionistas

Barbie's new Fashionista lineup

Mattel

This Barbie is one of a handful of newly-released Fashionista dolls, each of which expands Barbie's range of representation with an array of features. It even includes a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg.

Mattel says Barbie is the most inclusive doll line on the market, with "over 175 looks offering a variety of eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities and fashions to tell more stories." As Lisa McKnight, Mattel's Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie & Dolls, points out, not only does this Barbie give kids with Down syndrome a Barbie that represents them, but it also reflects the world all kids live in.

“As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” McKnight said in a statement. “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. Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting 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.”

Three cheers for Barbie in all her diverse attributes, abilities and ambitions, and kudos to those who keep trying to make her world more inclusive and representative of everyone.

The internet nearly broke when the trailer for "A Wrinkle in Time" went viral last summer.

And with good reason, too.

The cast list reads like a block on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Storm Reid, Chris Pine, and Zach Galifianakis all starring in the film, which is based off the 1962 sci-fi novel of the same name.

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney.


And on January 24, 2018, the film gave fans another reason to celebrate: "A Wrinkle in Time" got the Barbie treatment.

Dolls made in the likes of Mrs. Who (Kaling), Mrs. Which (Winfrey), and Mrs. Whatsit (Witherspoon), seen respectively below, will go on sale beginning February 23, 2018.

Photo courtesy of Mattel, used with permission.

Obviously, they look marvelous.

Mrs. Whatsit? Perfection.

[rebelmouse-image 19533769 dam="1" original_size="1200x624" caption="Photos via "A Wrinkle in Time"; and courtesy of Mattel, used with permission." expand=1]Photos via "A Wrinkle in Time"; and courtesy of Mattel, used with permission.

Mrs. Who? YES.

And Mrs. Which? Nailed it.

Fans are loving the dolls.

Let's face it: The Barbie brand has been a bit ... problematic, historically speaking.

But Mattel has been trying to change that.

In recent years, the brand has launched new dolls that are more body positive and inclusive. It made waves in 2015 with its clever, progressive ad campaign encouraging girls to dream big, and the company has also made efforts to shatter gender norms that suggest that Barbies are for girls only.

Mattel's bold moves haven't been lost on Ava DuVernay, who directed "A Wrinkle in Time." She was loving the new looks modeled after the film's characters too, claiming in a tweet that while she had Barbies growing up, she's "never had any like these."

More of this, please, Mattel!

Check out the trailer for "A Wrinkle in Time" below:

Thanks for stopping by Day 29 of Upworthy's 31 Days of Happiness Countdown! If this is your first visit, here's the gist: Each day between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31, we're sharing stories specifically designed to bring joy, smiles, and laughter into our lives and yours. It's been a challenging year, so why not end it on a high note, with a bit of laughter? Check back tomorrow (or click the links at the bottom) for another installment!

Spread the news, y'all: Barbie backs marriage equality!

In a few adorable Instagram posts, Mattel shared photos of two dolls of the same gender staring lovingly into each other's (plastic, painted) eyes. In the pics, the Barbies are wearing "Love Wins" shirts. ❤️ 💜 💛 💚 💙

"Proud to wear this 'Love Wins' shirt with @songofstyle!" one caption reads. (Can we talk about how cute that little plastic pup is too? Can I have one?!)


A post shared by Barbie® (@barbiestyle) on

The Barbie on the left was inspired by interior designer and fashion blogger Aimee Song.

"When I knew I was getting my own Barbie doll, it was super important for me to have the Barbie represent who I was and what I believe in, and obviously dress like me!" Song wrote, explaining that the "Love Wins" shirts featured in the pic are available for purchase, with 50% of the proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project — a life-saving nonprofit committed to suicide prevention among LGBTQ youth.

Mattel said it was “proud to partner” with Song in launching her Barbie and, in doing so, helping The Trevor Project.

A post shared by Aimee Song (@songofstyle) on

“We are an inclusive brand that celebrates diversity, kindness, and acceptance.”

Right on, Mattel!

A post shared by Barbie® (@barbiestyle) on

No, Barbie's endorsement of marriage equality isn't shocking or groundbreaking — Mattel's made efforts to be more inclusive with its toys in recent years, after all — but it is big-hearted branding that matters.

If even one little kid feels like their favorite toy has their back, it's an endorsement that makes a big difference.

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Check out Mattel's new badass, hijab-wearing Barbie.

Ibtihaj Muhammad, who made history at the Rio Olympics, is the newest Barbie doll.

If the name Ibtihaj Muhammad doesn't ring a bell, it definitely should.

Muhammad represented Team USA at the Rio Olympics last year in fencing. She wore a hijab while competing — the first time an American athlete had done so.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images.


And now, Muhammad is making history again.

On Nov. 13, Mattel unveiled a new Barbie doll inspired by the champion fencer at Glamour's Women of the Year summit.

Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Glamour.

And it's pretty darn cool.

Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Glamour.

This is the very first time Barbie is rocking a hijab, which many Muslim women choose to wear in recognition of their faith.

"When I think about my own journey, me being a Muslim girl involved in the sport of fencing, there were people who made me feel like I didn’t belong," Muhammad said at the summit.

"For all those people who didn’t believe in me, this Barbie doll is for you."

Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images.

The groundbreaking new Barbie marks another step forward for Mattel, which has focused on creating dolls that are more inclusive and positive for girls and boys.

Throughout the decades, Mattel has (understandably) been hammered by many parents who've seen the Barbie brand as promoting unhealthy messages on body image and self-worth as well as suggesting beauty is linked to a certain, discriminatory look  (I mean, how many blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbies does a kid really need?).

More recently, however, Mattel has made efforts to feature dolls that represent girls and women of color and a variety of body types. In November 2015, Mattel launched a campaign featuring a boy playing with a Barbie doll with his friends — "So fierce!" he exclaims in the ad. A month before that, it released a clever commercial (seen below) that encourages girls to dream big when it comes to their futures.

"When a girl plays with Barbie, she imagines everything she can become," the ad tells viewers in its conclusion.

It's an inspiring message Muhammad hopes her new Barbie doll will help spread.

"Today I’m proud to know that little girls who wear hijab — and, just as powerfully, those who don’t — can play with a Barbie who chooses to wear a headscarf," Muhammad said at the summit. "She’s a Barbie who is strong enough to wield a giant sabre and dedicated enough to spend years working her way to an Olympic medal."

More of this please, Mattel.