Barbie was my childhood. Barbie is actually the reason I have my current job, funnily. I had half a dozen of them in varying styles with equally engaging bedroom setups, kitchens and bathtubs – I was a Mattel loyalist without a doubt. All that mix-and-match of clothing is the reason why I ended becoming a fashion journalist in the first place. The escapism packed in promise was the real allure of it all. And I’m sure it was (and is) the same for a lot of people.
Having shaped many childhoods, Mattel has now taken a step in championing inclusion by introducing a blind barbie doll. And let me just say, it’s much more than a toy – she’s on a path to foster a feeling of community and serve as a symbol of self-expression. They’re also launching a second variant of the black doll with Down Syndrome, which will be featured in the Barbie Fashionistas 2024 collection. More the merrier!
Now more about the process: They collaborated with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to guarantee that doll designs appropriately reflect the community they are intended to represent. From the face sculpt to clothing, accessories and packaging, there have been efforts undertaken to accurately depict people with blindness or low vision.
The doll is seen with a white and red cane with a recognisable marshmallow tip and practical sunglasses, some people with low vision or blindness are light-sensitive, so the lens offers extra protection for their eyes. The blind Barbie doll also has elbow articulations to ensure comfortable cane use. In order to faithfully replicate the occasionally distinct eye gaze of a blind person, the doll is created with its eyes looking slightly up and out.
Barbie tested the doll on children who were blind or had low eyesight to make sure that it offered a fun and accessible play experience for those children. Extra features include an elastic waistband for the skirt to facilitate changing clothes and vividly coloured, high-contrast hook and loop fasteners for closing the doll’s top. On the packaging grounds, they collaborated with AFB to design and produce accessible packaging for the doll, which included writing ‘Barbie’ in braille and positioning it on the package.
Sometime last year, The Toy Association of the USA had also awarded Barbie the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year award after they unveiled the first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome and there’s one more in the making, this year! In order to evaluate the doll’s sculpt, hair, clothing, and spectacles, National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) arranged for a meet with a focus group of Black people from the Down syndrome community, including a young Black lady with the condition.
They have made an effort to depict the shorter stature, longer torso, and low muscle tone of individuals with Down syndrome. The facial sculpt, which has a flat nasal bridge and a rounder form, was carefully designed. The doll’s attire is adorned with the colours blue and yellow, which stands for awareness of Down syndrome. The 21st chromosome is represented by the three arrows in parts of the dress’s hearts.
And that’s on delivering on the intent grounds. Still a proud Barbie fan, come rain or shine.
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