Barbie Makes History With Debut of First Doll With Down Syndrome

Barbie is pulling through once again on its commitment to inclusivity!

Mattel, Inc announced this week that the iconic children's toy brand is introducing the first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome.

The inspirational doll was created as part of this year's global Barbie Fashionistas lineup, which aims to "allow even more children to find a Barbie doll that represents them," per a press release shared on Tuesday, April 25.

"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, Mattel. "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."

"Doll play outside of a child’s own lived experience can teach understanding and build a greater sense of empathy, leading to a more accepting world," McKnight continued. "We are proud to introduce a Barbie doll with Down syndrome to better reflect the world around us and further our commitment to celebrating inclusion through play.”

The doll was created in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to "ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome."

"NDSS’s guidance and real-world experiences informed the design process from start to finish, including the doll’s sculpt, clothing, accessories and packaging," states the release, which also notes, "The close partnership ensured the Barbie team celebrated individuals with Down syndrome through a doll that would immediately connect with the community."

Related: Barbie Announces New Doll Geared Toward Preschool Children

“It was an honor working with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome,” said Kandi Pickard, NDSS President and CEO. “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. It is a huge step forward for inclusion and a moment that we are celebrating."

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Every detail about the doll was purposely designed to properly represent the Down syndrome community, including the doll's sculpt, which "introduces a new face and body sculpt to be more illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso. The new face sculpt features a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape. The doll’s palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome."

As far as her fashion goes, "the doll’s puff sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness. The doll’s pink pendant necklace with three upward chevrons represents the three copies of the 21^st chromosome, which is the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. The three chevrons, or arrows, are a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community and are meant to represent 'the lucky few' who have someone with Down syndrome in their life."

The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down Syndrome also wears "pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit and her sneakers tout a zipper detail." As Mattel pointed out, "Some children with Down syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles, and NDSS provided a box of orthotics to serve as real-life inspiration for the ones this Barbie Fashionista is wearing, matched to her outfit and the bright colors in her design."

Barbie—described as the most inclusive doll line on the market—features "over 175 looks of dolls with a variety of eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities and fashions to tell more stories."

The full 2023 Fashionistas lineup also includes new dolls in "a variety of body types including a new Fashionista doll wearing braces and a Ken Fashionista doll with a prosthetic leg."

The 2023 Fall Fashionistas dolls, including the Barbie doll with Down syndrome, are available in limited quantities online now and in-store this Summer and Fall at major retailers for $10.99 USD.

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