THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jul 12, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
NY Post
New York Post
25 Apr 2023


NextImg:Barbie with Down Syndrome helps more kids ‘see themselves’ in toys: Mattel 

Life in plastic is now even more fantastic.

Barbie manufacturer Mattel announced their first-ever doll with Down Syndrome on Tuesday as the brand seeks to expand the doll’s diversity and representation, reports The Mirror.

Advertisement

The doll is part of the company’s Fashionistas line and costs $10.99.

“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,” said Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global head of Barbie & Dolls.

“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.”

Working closely with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Mattel said that the organization “informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging.”

Advertisement

The Post reached out to both Mattel and the NDSS for comment.

“It was an honor working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome,” NDSS CEO Kandi Pickard said in a statement. “This means so much for our community, who for the first time, can play with a Barbie doll that looks like them.”

“This Barbie serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the power of representation,” continued Pickard. “It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating.”

The doll will also feature a flatter nose and will be dressed in a yellow and blue dress, which represents the colors of Down syndrome awareness.
Barbie/Mattel

Advertisement

Barbie will also be wearing pink ankle foot orthotics for those children who need them to support their feet and ankles.

Barbie will also be wearing pink ankle foot orthotics to represent the children who need them to support their feet and ankles.
Barbie/Mattel

The doll is part of the company's Fashionistas line and costs $10.99.

The doll is part of the company’s Fashionistas line and costs $10.99.
Mattel

Mattel says the doll will help children 'see themselves' in toys.

Mattel says the doll will help children ‘see themselves’ in toys.
Mattel

Mattel revealed that the brand-new Barbie will have a longer torso and shorter frame with a rounder shape and smaller ears.

Advertisement

The doll will also feature a flatter nose and will be dressed in a yellow and blue dress, which represents the colors of Down syndrome awareness.

Barbie will also be wearing pink ankle foot orthotics to represent the children who need orthotics to support their feet and ankles.

Mattel revealed that the brand-new Barbie will have a longer torso and shorter frame with a rounder shape and smaller ears.

Mattel revealed that the brand-new Barbie will have a longer torso and shorter frame with a rounder shape and smaller ears.
Mattel

Working closely with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Mattel said that the organization "informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging.”

Working closely with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), Mattel said that the organization “informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging.”
Mattel

“Her pink pendant necklace has three arrows to represent the third 21st chromosome that individuals with Down syndrome have, and they point outwards to represent rising up and moving forward,” reads the doll’s product description.

According to the CDC, Down syndrome occurs in children who are born with extra chromosomes and occurs in several different forms.

The CDC also states that nearly 6,000 babies born in the US have the disability.

The toy was brought to market through work with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), to ensure it accurately represents someone with the condition, the company said.

The toy was brought to market through work with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), to ensure it accurately represents someone with the condition, the company said.
Barbie/Mattel

Advertisement

"I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down Syndrome," Goldstein said to The Mirror. "Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed - it meant a lot to me and I'm so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world."

“I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down Syndrome,” Goldstein said to The Mirror. “Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.”
Mattel/Catherine Harbour

Mattel said the Barbie is available for pre-order now and is set to hit select retailers this summer.

Mattel said the Barbie is available for pre-order now and is set to hit select retailers this summer.
JASON TIDWELL/MATTEL/AFP via Getty Images

In an effort to spread awareness for the doll, Mattel teamed up with British model Ellie Goldstein, 21, who also has the disability.

“I am so happy that there is a Barbie with Down Syndrome,” Goldstein said to The Mirror. “Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honored and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.”

Advertisement

“Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”

The toy brand also made headlines in August 2022 when they announced they would be releasing a doll of Madame C.J. Walker, the first female self-made millionaire.

Mattel said the Barbie is available for pre-order now and is set to hit select retailers this summer.