This year, Mattel released an all-new series of shapely dolls, which feature Barbies that are tall, curvy and even petite—the company is continuing its efforts to be more diverse and inclusive by creating an Ashley Graham Barbie.
At the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, the plus-sized model received a Barbie doll in her own likeness as recognition that she's been such an advocate for spreading body positivity. True to this theme, Graham made one request when it came to the creation of this doll: she had to have thighs that touched. As Graham says: "It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible. The thighs touching was one way to show young girls that it's OK for your thighs to touch, despite society saying that a 'thigh gap' is more beautiful."
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Body-positive Dolls
- Companies can create dolls that promote body positivity and inclusivity like Mattel did with Ashley Graham Barbie doll.
- Diverse Representation in Toys
- Toy companies can create diverse and inclusive representation to appeal to a wider audience and create positive impact, similar to Mattel's new shapely dolls.
- Body-positive Messaging
- Brands can use body-positive messaging in their products to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote self-love, as Mattel did with the Ashley Graham Barbie doll.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Toy Manufacturing
- Toy companies can disrupt the traditional doll market by creating more diverse and inclusive dolls that address the need for positive messaging like Mattel's new shape and body positive dolls.
- Fashion and Beauty
- The fashion and beauty industry can follow Ashley Graham's lead by promoting body positivity and inclusivity in their products and marketing efforts.
- Media and Advertising
- Media and advertising companies can challenge traditional beauty standards and promote more diverse and inclusive representation in their content to make an impact on young generations that disrupts harmful ideals.
