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Ever since Barbie debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959, she’s been on a journey of evolution.
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices,” creator Ruth Handler famously said, who was first inspired to make a doll that gave her daughter more choices.
From style icon to president, astronaut to fencer, Barbie can be anything. But the dolls – known for their trademark blonde hair, slim physique and white skin – haven’t always reflected the women in the society we live in. In 2015, the brand committed to diversifying, introducing additional skin tones, hair colours and face sculpts, and has since strived to be more of a reflection of the times.
Now in 2023, the first Barbie with Down’s syndrome has been unveiled as part of this year’s inclusive Fashionistas range, the latest edition in the brand’s timeline of progression.
Read more: Laverne Cox celebrates 50th with bikini video after inspiring first trans Barbie
April 2023 – First doll with Down’s syndrome
British model Ellie Goldstein has introduced the first Barbie with Down’s syndrome, which will go on pre-order in the UK from 25 May via Smyths.
“I’m so happy there’s a Barbie with Down’s syndrome,” says Goldstein on the launch. “Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honoured and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.”
“Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”
Barbie has brought the new doll to life in partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US. To both accurately represent and celebrate a person with Down’s syndrome, consultation with the NDSS and medical professionals informed the design process of the doll.
This includes a new face and body sculpt, and a necklace with three upward chevrons (or arrows) to represent the three copies of the 21st chromosome, the genetic material that causes the characteristics associated with the condition. They are synonymous with ‘The Lucky Few’, representing the lucky few who have someone with Down’s syndrome in their lives.
The doll’s puff sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colours, which are symbols associated with Down’s syndrome awareness. The doll also wears pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit and the trainers have a zip detail.
AFOs are most commonly used by children with Down’s syndrome in the US. While not all people with Down’s syndrome wear ankle foot orthotics as each person is unique, Barbie took the decision to promote the representation of adaptive equipment in the play space by including them as accessories.
Read more: Queen gets her own Barbie to celebrate her 96th birthday and the Platinum Jubilee
2023 – Fashionistas line-up
In addition to the new Barbie with Down’s syndrome, this year’s Fashionistas line-up includes new dolls wearing braces and a Ken with a prosthetic leg.
“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,” says Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie & Dolls, Mattel. “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.”
And separately, looking to the big screen, there has been much speculation over how the character will be portrayed in the upcoming Barbie movie.
2023 – Barbie the movie release date revealed
No doubt the film will boost the popularity of the iconic dolls further, not only appealing to pre-teens but adults too (especially those who loved Barbie themselves as a child).
Here in reverse order, starting with the most recent launch, we look back at Barbie’s evolution since the very first doll in 1959.
January 2023 – First doll with scoliosis, Chelsea
Also this year, Barbie doll maker Mattel made history by introducing its first doll with scoliosis.
As part of the line for Barbie’s little sister, she features a curvature of the spine and removable back brace, intended to help normalise equipment and encourage children to celebrate inclusion.
Read more: Why Barbie making a scoliosis doll is so important for representation
April 2022 – Queen doll for Platinum Jubilee
The limited-edition doll of the Queen was designed to be “instantly recognisable”, with her wearing a white gown, blue ribbon adorned with decorations of order, and a tiara modelled on Queen Mary’s fringe tiara, which the late monarch wore on her wedding day.
May 2022 – First transgender Barbie
Laverne Cox – an Emmy-winner and the first transgender woman of colour to have a leading role on a scripted TV show – who the barbie is based on, expressed her delight at the time.
“Now kids get to dream with a Laverne Cox barbie, the first transgender Barbie,” she said in a video.
August 2022 – First Barbie doll with hearing aids
Actor and ex-Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis, who has been deaf since birth, said at the time, “It’s so important for children to be able to see themselves represented in the toys they play with.
“When I was little, I would draw hearing aids on to my Barbie dolls to make them look like me, so I am thrilled that Mattel is releasing more dolls that encourage kids to celebrate and embrace their differences.”
March 2021 – DJ Clara Amfo Barbie
The BBC Radio One DJ had a doll made in her likeness to honour her work as a vocal advocate for racial equality.
March 2020 – World champion sprinter Dina Asher-Smith Barbie
A doll version was created of the world champion sprinter – the fastest woman in British history – to honour her achievements and inspire the next generation of women.
2019-2020 – Diverse Barbie Fashionistas
The Fashionistas collection featured Barbie dolls with no hair, vitiligo, wheelchairs, a prosthetic limb, afro hair and a Ken doll with ‘long rooted hair’.
2019 – Gender Inclusive Barbies
Mattel launched a line of dolls to be gender-inclusive and free of labels, with options for kids to style them with short or long hair, in a skirt or trousers, or both.
Read more: Barbie manufacturer Mattel launches ‘gender-inclusive’ toy line
2018 – Barbie Role Models
#MoreRoleModels, honoured extraordinary women from around the world on International Women’s Day, including Frida Kahlo, Katherine Johnson and Amelia Earhart.
2017 – First Barbie with a hijab
The doll was modelled on Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to compete at the Olympics while wearing a hijab, who won a bronze medal in fencing at the 2016 Rio Games.
Muhammad wrote on Twitter at the time, “I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true.”
2016 – Barbie Curvy, Petite and Tall
Barbie introduced three new body types to better reflect real women and girls.
2015 – Barbie Vlogger
Barbie launched a YouTube vlog to talk to girls about issues they face. The animated series covered topics including depression, bullying and how girls often apologise when they don’t have anything to be sorry for.
1992 – First President Barbie
1985 – CEO Barbie
1980 – First Black and Hispanic dolls named Barbie
1968 – One of the first Black dolls, Christie
1967 – First Celebrity Barbie
1965 – Astronaut Barbie
1959 – First Barbie
Additional reporting PA.
