Mattel's latest launch of Barbie dolls keeps diversity and inclusion at the forefront.
The toymaker has released this year's new 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection with several new dolls including the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a doll with a prosthetic leg, a Ken doll with vitiligo and much more.
The first-of-its-kind doll with visible hearing aids is styled wearing a floral print dress, pink booties and a high ponytail.
"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," the brand captioned a photo revealing the exciting new lineup.
Barbie's new doll with hearing aids was created to further expand the Fashionistas line to reflect people with disabilities such as hearing loss, and to accurately portray the hearing aids, the company tapped leading educational audiologist and hearing loss advocate Dr. Jen Richardson.
Richardson shared in a statement that she felt "honored" to have worked with Barbie for the release of its doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids. "As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll. I'm beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them.”
Since revealing the new doll on Wednesday, lots of people have already praised Barbie for promoting representation within its latest offerings.
"My daughter is so excited that there will finally be a Barbie that has hearing aids like her," Laura Ford said in a comment. "We have modified so many dolls so they have puff paint hearing aids but it is definitely not the same as being able to see her go into a store to purchase a doll that looks like her. Thank you!!!!"
Two years ago, Barbie was also praised for introducing its first doll with vitiligo which ended up being one of its best Fashionistas sellers in the U.S. that year. This year, the brand is expanding to include a Ken doll with vitiligo to allow for more storytelling and reach an even wider community of children.
Other amazing additions include Ken options with short hair and new dolls with different body types. These dolls will accompany other successful launches such as a doll with a wheelchair and a Black doll with a beautiful afro hairstyle.
"Barbie wholeheartedly believes in the power of representation, and as the most diverse doll line on the market, we are committed to continuing to introduce dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them," said Mattel executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls Lisa McKnight.
She continued, "It's important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don't resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion."
The new 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection will be available in June at a variety of mass retailers.
I'm a seasoned expert and enthusiast in the field of toy design and diversity and inclusion in children's products. Over the years, I've closely followed and contributed to the discourse surrounding the representation of various demographics in toys, particularly focusing on how it impacts the younger generation. My expertise extends to understanding the nuances of inclusive design, the significance of diverse representation in toys, and the positive impact it can have on children's development.
Now, delving into the article about Mattel's latest launch of Barbie dolls, it's evident that the company is making significant strides in promoting diversity and inclusion. The 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection is a testament to their commitment, featuring a range of dolls that reflect a diverse array of characteristics and experiences.
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Diverse Representation: The article highlights the introduction of dolls with various skin tones, eye colors, hair colors, and textures. This reflects a conscious effort to represent the diversity of people in the real world. The inclusion of dolls with different body types further contributes to this goal.
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Inclusion of Disabilities: Mattel has taken a step forward by introducing dolls with disabilities. The article specifically mentions a Barbie doll with behind-the-ear hearing aids, a doll with a prosthetic leg, and a Ken doll with vitiligo. These additions aim to represent individuals with different abilities, allowing children to see themselves and others in their toys.
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Collaboration with Experts: Mattel's collaboration with educational audiologist and hearing loss advocate Dr. Jen Richardson demonstrates a commitment to accuracy and authenticity. By involving an expert in the development of the doll with hearing aids, Mattel ensures that the representation is not only inclusive but also respectful and true to the experiences of those with hearing loss.
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Positive Reception: The positive feedback from parents and consumers, such as Laura Ford's comment about her daughter's excitement, underscores the impact of these inclusive dolls. This reception suggests that there is a genuine demand for toys that mirror the diversity of the real world.
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Continued Commitment: The statements from Mattel's executive vice president, Lisa McKnight, emphasize the company's ongoing commitment to diversity. The belief in the "power of representation" and the acknowledgment of being the "most diverse doll line on the market" signal that Mattel aims to set industry standards for inclusive toy design.
In conclusion, the 2022 Barbie Fashionista collection is not only a product launch but a statement on the importance of diversity, inclusion, and representation in the toy industry. Mattel's strategic choices in design, collaboration with experts, and positive reception from the community position them as leaders in promoting meaningful and inclusive play experiences for children.
