Barbie has added two new dolls to its expanding range of diverse and inclusive figures: a blind Barbie and the first Black Barbie with Down syndrome.
Mattel revealed the new dolls on Tuesday as part of Barbie's 2024 Fashionistas Line, a collection that celebrates diversity with over 175 variations in skin tone, eye and hair colour, body types, disabilities, and clothing styles.
The Fashionistas Line has previously included dolls with disabilities and unique appearances, featuring Barbies and Kens with mobility aids, hearing aids, hair loss, and vitiligo. Last year's line saw the introduction of the first-ever Barbie with Down syndrome.
Mattel collaborated with non-profit organisations advocating for those with vision impairment and Down syndrome to create the new dolls. The company worked closely with members of these communities to ensure accurate details, even down to the number of lines on the Barbie's palms.
âWe 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.â
Both dolls will be available for purchase starting Tuesday and will also feature in the YouTube series, "Barbie Doll Adventures".
First Blind Barbie for the Fashionistas Line
Barbie partnered with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) to develop the blind Barbie, consulting on the doll, accessories, and even the packaging. This is the first blind Barbie for the Fashionistas Line, though Mattel previously introduced a blind Barbie inspired by Helen Keller as part of their Inspiring Women series.
The new blind doll comes with a white and red cane with a marshmallow tip and functional sunglasses. "Some blind or low-vision individuals may be sensitive to light," explained the creators, "...the lens provides additional eye protection."
Unlike some other models, this Barbie has bendable elbows for comfortable cane use. Her eyes are designed with an "eye gaze facing slightly up and out," reflecting the appearance of some blind or low-vision individuals.
Mattel consulted AFB on the doll's clothing, design, and packaging to create a more accessible experience. Testing with blind and low-vision children helped designers select a sensory-rich outfit: a satiny pink blouse and ruffled skirt for a tactile experience, a brightly coloured, high-contrast hook and loop closure on the back of her top, and an elastic waistband on her skirt for easy dressing.
The high-contrast elements enhance visibility for people with low vision, while the hook and loop fastener and elastic waistband make it simpler to change Barbie's clothes.
The packaging itself has also been made more accessible, with new features that will be applied to all Barbie Fashionistas dolls moving forward. The box features braille spelling out "Barbie", strategically placed with the guidance of AFB, and an easier-to-open design with a pull tab on the back.
âIt was an honor to collaborate with Barbie on the development of the blind Barbie doll,â said Eric Bridges, CEO and President of the 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."
Blind Barbie: Release Date and Price
The Blind Barbie is available beginning Tuesday both online at the Mattel shop and in major retailers for £8.99.
Black Barbie with Down Syndrome
Mattel has also introduced a second Black Barbie with Down syndrome. The first was released in April 2023.
This Barbie is the second to be designed in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), but this time Mattel also consulted with a focus group of Black individuals from the Down syndrome community.
The first Black Barbie with Down syndrome was sculpted to accurately depict the physical characteristics of people with the condition, including "a shorter frame, longer torso and low muscle tone." She also features palms with single lines etched in them, a common characteristic of people with Down syndrome.
Her head was also crafted with great detail, creating a face with a rounder shape, smaller ears, flat nasal bridge and slightly slanted eyes with white dots in the iris. She also comes with pink glasses, representing individuals with Down syndrome who often experience vision disruption.
The Barbie's hair and clothes were also designed based on community feedback. Her hair is textured and braided, a request made by the Black Down syndrome community, while her blue and yellow dress features a pattern associated with the Down syndrome awareness movement. The three arrows in some of the hearts on the dress "represent the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have."
âNDSS 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 representationfor the disability community,â said Kandi Pickard, President and CEO of NDSS. âWe are proud to partner with Barbie as they grow to reflect our diverse and beautiful world."
Black Barbie with Down Syndrome: Release Date and Price
The Black Barbie with Down syndrome is also available beginning Tuesday online at the Mattel shop and in major retailers for £8.99.
The Barbie Fashionistas Line
The Barbie Fashionistas line was first introduced in 2009 and releases a new lineup of dolls each year. It is described by Mattel as an inclusive range of dolls "designed to reflect the world kids see today."
The dolls come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with numerous skin tones, hair colours and types, eye colours and shapes, fashion styles, disabilities, and more to choose from. The 2023 line included several different Barbies and Kens in wheelchairs, Barbies and Kens with vitiligo, the first doll with Down syndrome, and a Ken with a prosthetic leg.
According to Mattel, the Barbie Fashionistas series offers more than 175+ looks. The dolls aim to "advance Barbieâs continued goal of reflecting a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion" and enable more children to see themselves in their dolls and "see their world reflected through play."