Model, actress, and former Glamor UK cover girl Ellie Goldstein shared a powerful message about the first Barbie doll to have Down syndrome.
It is an honor to show Barbie dolls to the world. As she wrote on Instagram, Ellie said, “I felt so emotional and proud when I saw the doll.” She added, “It means a lot to me that children can play with the doll and understand that everyone is different.”
As Barbie will help make diversity a reality in the world, people will see more people like me out there in the world rather than in hidden corners.”
The new Barbie doll came about in collaboration with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the USA, which provided advice about how to “accurately represent a person with Down’s syndrome” and “celebrate the Down’s syndrome community—through Barbie’s clothing, accessories and packaging.”
It is said that the new Barbie will be rounder in shape and have smaller ears, a flat nasal bridge, and almond-shaped eyes. The doll even has a single line in its palms, a characteristic often associated with people with Down’s syndrome.”
The NDSS president and CEO, Kandi Pickard, said it was an honor to work with Barbie on the Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Having a Barbie doll that looks like them means a lot to our community, who now can play with one for the first time. The Barbie serves as a reminder that representation has a powerful impact. Inclusion has made an enormous step forward, and we are celebrating this moment.”
Ellie Goldstein states, “I hope I can continue to serve as a role model for other people in the fashion industry, to show others they can get into the industry and that fashion brands will employ other models with disabilities.”
She said, “Diversity is essential. It’s getting better for the industry to use disabled models, but it still has a ways to go before we become accustomed to seeing models like me.”
There is now a new Barbie doll, which hopefully means we are one step closer to seeing disabled women represented EVERYWHERE.