Mannequin Ellie Goldstein celebrates the primary Barbie doll with Down syndrome: 'Folks have to see extra folks like me'

• Mattel simply introduced a brand new Barbie doll with Down syndrome.
• Mannequin Ellie Goldstein, who has Down syndrome, shared her pleasure concerning the doll’s launch.
• “It means rather a lot to me that kids will have the ability to play with the doll and study that everybody is totally different,” Goldstein stated.

Mattel simply introduced it will likely be releasing a Barbie doll with Down syndrome in its newest effort to be extra inclusive.

Ellie Goldstein, a mannequin who additionally has Down syndrome, shared her pleasure over the most recent Barbie, saying that when she first noticed the doll, she “felt so emotional, and proud.”

“It means rather a lot to me that kids will have the ability to play with the doll and study that everybody is totally different,” Goldstein wrote in an Instagram put up shared on Tuesday.

Goldstein, who was additionally chosen by the corporate to seem in a marketing campaign saying the most recent doll, continued by saying that “range is essential as folks have to see extra folks like me on the market on this planet and never be hidden away.”

“Barbie will assist make this occur,” she continued.

Mattel labored with the Nationwide Down Syndrome Society to design the doll. In accordance with a press launch, the brand new Barbie’s face is a rounder form, has almond-shaped eyes, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge. 

“The doll’s palms even embody a single line, a attribute usually related to these with Down syndrome,” Mattel stated.

The doll, which is presently obtainable for preorder in the UK, additionally has a shorter body and longer torso than the opposite dolls in its Fashionista assortment.

The doll wears a floral-patterned gown that pays homage to the colours sometimes related to Down syndrome consciousness, in addition to a pink necklace with three upward chevrons representing the three copies of the twenty first chromosome and pink ankle foot orthotics.

That is simply the newest step that Mattel is taking to make its Barbies extra inclusive.

In September, the corporate launched a line within the UK that featured dolls with listening to aids and prosthetic limbs. The corporate has additionally introduced out dolls which have wheelchairs and ranging physique varieties, in addition to new pores and skin colours and hair textures. 

“Our aim is to allow all kids to see themselves in Barbie, whereas additionally encouraging kids to play with dolls who don’t appear to be themselves,” Lisa McKnight, the manager vice chairman and world head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, stated in an announcement.