Barbie® Introduces the First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll and Black Barbie Fashionista Doll With Down Syndrome, Allowing Even More Children to Tell Stories Through Play
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) has introduced two new Barbie Fashionistas dolls: the first blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome. These additions aim to increase representation and inclusivity in the toy industry. Mattel collaborated with the American Foundation for the Blind and the National Down Syndrome Society to ensure accurate representations.
The blind Barbie features a white and red cane, sunglasses, elbow articulations, and textured fabrics. The Black Barbie with Down syndrome has specific physical characteristics, including a shorter frame and a unique face sculpt. Both dolls are part of Barbie's commitment to reflecting diversity and helping children develop empathy through play.
The new dolls are available online now and will be in stores this Summer, priced at $10.99. Mattel is also collaborating with Aille Design on a Barbie-inspired accessible fashion collection featuring braille beadwork.
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) ha introdotto due nuove barbie Fashionistas: la prima Barbie non vedente e una Barbie nera con sindrome di Down. Queste aggiunte mirano ad aumentare la rappresentanza e l'inclusività nel settore dei giocattoli. Mattel ha collaborato con la American Foundation for the Blind e la National Down Syndrome Society per garantire rappresentazioni accurate.
La Barbie non vedente è dotata di un bastone bianco e rosso, occhiali da sole, articolazioni ai gomiti e tessuti testurizzati. La Barbie nera con sindrome di Down presenta caratteristiche fisiche specifiche, tra cui una statura più bassa e un volto unico. Entrambe le bambole fanno parte dell'impegno di Barbie a riflettere la diversità e ad aiutare i bambini a sviluppare empatia attraverso il gioco.
Le nuove bambole sono disponibili online ora e saranno nei negozi quest'estate, al prezzo di 10,99 dollari. Mattel sta anche collaborando con Aille Design per una collezione di moda accessibile ispirata a Barbie, caratterizzata da lavori in perline in braille.
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) ha presentado dos nuevas muñecas Barbie Fashionistas: la primera Barbie ciega y una Barbie negra con síndrome de Down. Estas adiciones buscan incrementar la representación y la inclusividad en la industria de los juguetes. Mattel colaboró con la American Foundation for the Blind y la National Down Syndrome Society para asegurar representaciones precisas.
La Barbie ciega cuenta con un bastón blanco y rojo, gafas de sol, articulaciones en los codos y telas texturizadas. La Barbie negra con síndrome de Down presenta características físicas específicas, incluyendo una estatura más baja y un rostro único. Ambas muñecas son parte del compromiso de Barbie de reflejar la diversidad y ayudar a los niños a desarrollar empatía a través del juego.
Las nuevas muñecas están disponibles en línea ahora y estarán en las tiendas este verano, con un precio de 10,99 dólares. Mattel también está colaborando con Aille Design para una colección de moda accesible inspirada en Barbie que presenta trabajo en perlas en braille.
마텔(NASDAQ: MAT)은 두 개의 새로운 바비 패셔니스타 인형을 출시했습니다: 첫 번째 시각장애인 바비와 다운 증후군이 있는 흑인 바비입니다. 이러한 추가는 장난감 산업에서 대표성과 포용성 증가를 목표로 하고 있습니다. 마텔은 미국 시각 장애인 재단과 국립 다운 증후군 협회와 협력하여 정확한 표현을 보장했습니다.
시각장애인 바비는 흰색과 빨간색의 지팡이, 선글라스, 팔꿈치 관절, 질감이 있는 직물로 구성되어 있습니다. 다운 증후군이 있는 흑인 바비는 더 짧은 체구와 독특한 얼굴 조각을 포함한 특정 신체적 특징을 가지고 있습니다. 두 인형 모두 다양성을 반영하고 어린이들이 놀이를 통해 공감을 개발하도록 돕는 바비의 의지의 일환입니다.
새로운 인형은 지금 온라인에서 구매할 수 있으며, 여름에 매장에서 판매될 예정이며 가격은 10.99달러입니다. 마텔은 또한 Aille Design과 협력하여 점자 비드워크를 특징으로 하는 바비 영감을 받은 접근 가능한 패션 컬렉션을 진행하고 있습니다.
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) a introduit deux nouvelles poupées Barbie Fashionistas: la première Barbie aveugle et une Barbie noire avec le syndrome de Down. Ces ajouts visent à augmenter la représentation et l'inclusivité dans l'industrie du jouet. Mattel a collaboré avec la Fondation américaine pour les aveugles et la National Down Syndrome Society pour assurer des représentations précises.
La Barbie aveugle est dotée d'une canne blanche et rouge, de lunettes de soleil, d'articulations au niveau des coudes et de tissus texturés. La Barbie noire avec le syndrome de Down a des caractéristiques physiques spécifiques, notamment une stature plus courte et un visage unique. Les deux poupées font partie de l'engagement de Barbie à refléter la diversité et à aider les enfants à développer de l'empathie par le biais du jeu.
Les nouvelles poupées sont disponibles en ligne dès maintenant et seront dans les magasins cet été, au prix de 10,99 $. Mattel collabore également avec Aille Design pour une collection de mode accessible inspirée de Barbie avec des broderies en braille.
Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) hat zwei neue Barbie Fashionistas-Puppen eingeführt: die erste blinde Barbie und eine schwarze Barbie mit Down-Syndrom. Diese Ergänzungen zielen darauf ab, die Repräsentation und Inklusivität in der Spielzeugindustrie zu erhöhen. Mattel hat mit der American Foundation for the Blind und der National Down Syndrome Society zusammengearbeitet, um genaue Darstellungen zu gewährleisten.
Die blinde Barbie verfügt über einen weißen und roten Stock, eine Sonnenbrille, Ellenbogengelenke und strukturierte Stoffe. Die schwarze Barbie mit Down-Syndrom hat spezifische körperliche Merkmale, einschließlich einer kürzeren Statur und einer einzigartigen Gesichtsform. Beide Puppen sind Teil von Barbes Engagement, Vielfalt zu reflektieren und Kindern zu helfen, Empathie durch Spiel zu entwickeln.
Die neuen Puppen sind jetzt online erhältlich und werden im Sommer in den Geschäften erhältlich sein, mit einem Preis von 10,99 Dollar. Mattel arbeitet auch mit Aille Design an einer von Barbie inspirierten zugänglichen Modekollektion mit Perlenarbeiten in Braille.
- Introduction of new inclusive dolls may boost brand image and appeal to a wider consumer base
- Collaboration with reputable organizations enhances product authenticity and credibility
- Expansion of the Fashionistas line could potentially increase sales and market share
- Partnership with Aille Design for accessible fashion collection may open new revenue streams
- None.
- Released as part of this year’s global Barbie Fashionistas lineup, Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind and National Down Syndrome Society to ensure doll designs accurately reflect the community they are designed to represent
Barbie® Introduces the First Blind Barbie Fashionista Doll and Black Barbie Fashionista Doll with Down Syndrome, Allowing Even More Children to Tell Stories Through Play (Graphic: Business Wire)
“We recognize that Barbie is much more than just a doll; she represents self-expression and can create a sense of belonging," said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls. “We proudly introduce a new blind Barbie doll and Black doll with Down syndrome to our Barbie Fashionistas line, reinforcing our commitment to creating products that represent global belonging and inclusivity in the doll aisle.”
Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), an organization dedicated to creating a world of endless possibilities for individuals with blindness and low vision, to ensure details of the blind Barbie doll, including face sculpt, fashion, accessories, packaging experience, and e-commerce communication, accurately depict individuals with blindness or low vision.
Counseled by AFB, Barbie was committed to represent individuals with blindness and low vision throughout all stages of the design process, from the doll’s sculpt to the dress pattern:
- Accessories: The doll comes with a white and red cane with an identifiable marshmallow tip and includes stylish and functional sunglasses. With some blind or low-vision individuals sensitive to light, the lens provides additional eye protection.
- Elbow Articulations: The blind Barbie doll includes elbow articulations to ensure comfortable cane use.
- Textured and Vibrant Fabrics: Barbie conducted testing with blind and low-vision children to ensure that the doll provided an accessible and satisfying play experience for kids with blindness or low vision. With AFB’s guidance, Barbie designed the doll’s fashion to include a satiny pink blouse with a textured ruffle skirt for tactile interest. Additional details include a brightly colored high-contrast hook and loop fasteners for closure on the back of the doll’s top, as well as an elastic skirt waistband to make swapping outfits easier.
- Packaging and Design: Barbie worked with AFB to create accessible packaging for the doll, including the placement and writing of ‘Barbie’ in braille on the package.
- Eye Gaze: The doll is designed with an eye gaze facing slightly up and out to accurately reflect the sometimes-distinct eye gaze of a blind individual.
"It was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the blind Barbie doll,” said Eric Bridges, CEO and President, American Foundation for the Blind. “By increasing representation and promoting awareness about the experiences of blind individuals and those with low vision, our shared goal is to inspire boundless opportunities for everyone, ultimately leading to a world of greater accessibility and inclusion."
In 2023 Barbie introduced the first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome, which won the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year award presented by the Toy Association. This year, Barbie once again partnered with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to introduce its next doll with Down syndrome to the Barbie Fashionistas 2024 lineup. Throughout all stages of the design process, Barbie and NDSS worked together to ensure the Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome accurately reflected and resonated with members of the Down syndrome community. NDSS connected Barbie with a focus group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome community, including a young Black woman with Down syndrome, to review the doll’s sculpt, hair, fashion and glasses:
- Sculpt: Barbie collaborated with the NDSS to accurately represent physical characteristics of people with Down syndrome including a shorter frame, longer torso and low muscle tone. Additionally, the doll’s palms include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome. Special care was put into the face sculpt, featuring a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. The eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape while white dots can be seen in the iris.
- Hair: The doll has a braided hair texture which was one of the key features asked from the Black Down syndrome community.
- Fashion: Symbols are incorporated throughout the doll’s outfit, and the blue and yellow color palette represents Down syndrome awareness. The three arrows in some of the hearts on the dress, represent the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have.
- Glasses: The doll also wears pink eyeglasses, representing individuals with Down syndrome who often experience difficulties with their vision.
"NDSS is thrilled to introduce a second Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Having this doll launched alongside the new Barbie doll with Blindness marks another important step in expanding representation for the disability community,” said Kandi Pickard, President and CEO, NDSS. “We are proud to partner with Barbie as they grow to reflect our diverse and beautiful world."
“We are delighted to introduce these dolls in partnership with the American Foundation for the Blind and National Down Syndrome Society to further our mission for every young girl to feel represented and celebrated through Barbie.” Berger continued.
Doll play has proven to help develop empathy and social processing skills among children, fueling social skills needed to excel in their futures as they imagine they can be anything. As the brand's most diverse doll line, the Barbie Fashionistas series offers more than 175+ looks in a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities and fashions. This includes dolls with vitiligo, dolls that use a wheelchair or a prosthetic limb, a doll with hearing aids and a doll without hair. The 2024 Fashionistas dolls aim to advance Barbie’s continued goal of reflecting a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion, allowing more children to see their world reflected through play.
The 2024 Fashionistas dolls, including the blind Barbie doll and Black Barbie doll with Down syndrome, are available online now and in-store this Summer at major retailers for
To celebrate this launch, Barbie is also collaborating with accessible fashion brand Aille Design (pronounced: eye) on a Barbie-inspired collection, featuring pieces with fully legible braille beadwork. Details include Barbie’s original black and white chevron pattern on a slip dress, a black neck scarf and a classic t-shirt in a hue of iconic Barbie pink, each featuring Aille Design’s signature braille beadwork made with Swarovski® pearls.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, MEGA® and Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com.
About the American Foundation for the Blind
Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) creates equal opportunities and expands possibilities for people who are blind, deafblind, or have low vision through advocacy, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships. In addition to publishing the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness (JVIB), AFB is also the proud steward of the Helen Keller Archive, honoring the legacy of our most famous ambassador who worked at AFB for over 40 years. Learn more at www.afb.org.
About NDSS
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS empowers individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing resources, driving policy change, engaging with local communities, and shaping public perceptions. Founded in 1979, NDSS supports and advocates for the Down syndrome community by focusing on three key areas of programming: Resources & Support, Policy & Advocacy and Community Engagement. Within these focus areas NDSS engages in various activities, events and programs on topics that are critical to our community such as federal and state advocacy and public policy, health and wellness, education and employment. NDSS creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families and caregivers across the lifespan and hosts community events throughout the country including the National Buddy Walk® Program, the Times Square Video presentation and New York City Buddy Walk®, Racing for 3.21 for World Down Syndrome Day, Run for 3.21, and various other events. Visit www.ndss.org for more information.
MAT-BARB
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240722329826/en/
Devin Tucker
devin.tucker@mattel.com
Aly Lloyd
Aly.lloyd@mattel.com
Source: Mattel, Inc.
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