Barbie has been a part of all our childhood. No matter what year you were born in, every little girl has been blessed to own a Barbie of her own.
The fashion doll which was launched more than six decades ago has today become one of the most diverse brands in itself. Apart from having an ethnically diverse line, Barbie is all set to launch a doll with hearing aids and a Ken doll with vitiligo.
As per the brand, this has been done to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them.
Mattel, the manufacturing company of Barbie Doll, said that it worked alongside Dr. Jen Richardson, a practitioner in educational audiology, to accurately model behind-the-ear devices for the doll.
As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, Richardson feels that it’s inspiring to see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll.
The company’s global head, Lisa McKnight, has expressed that it’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in products and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them, to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.
The 2022 Fashionistas line, out next month, will also feature a Barbie with a prosthetic leg, a Barbie who uses a wheelchair, and male dolls that are thinner and less muscular.
In its recent Twitter post, Barbie has described its upcoming 175-look collection as its “most diverse and inclusive doll line, offering a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions, to inspire even more stories.
Ready to make waves? 🌊🕶️ Dip into new #Barbie Fashion Dolls – our most diverse and inclusive doll line, offering a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions, to inspire even more stories! https://t.co/k2mKw8VhG8 pic.twitter.com/voglMMZgvE
— Barbie (@Barbie) May 11, 2022
Barbie has been working really hard with inclusivity in its line of products. This has helped the brand to connect with the youth even today.
