Mattel celebrates this year's International Women's Day with a new addition to the ongoing Role Model series. Barbie presents eight dolls which is inspired by real-life duos that are empowering and marks itself as a tribute to the strength that comes from female friendships to uplift one another. The series features US Olympic gymnastics champions Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, for example.
Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, explains, “One of the greatest tools that a girl can have is the support and encouragement of her peers. As we approach International Women’s Day, Barbie is proud to honor legendary female friendship duos across different backgrounds, professions, and parts of the world. We know firsthand that friendships formed at a young age can help fuel social and professional growth, setting girls up for limitless possibilities.”
Image Credit: Barbie, Mattel
What's Driving This Trend
- Empowerment-inspired Dolls
- Dolls inspired by real-life empowering duos present an engaging opportunity to champion empowerment through play.
- Friendship-centric Products
- Products that emphasize the importance of friendships resonate with consumers seeking meaningful connections.
- Representation in Toys
- Toys that represent diverse backgrounds and professions offer a fresh perspective in promoting inclusivity early in childhood.
Who This Affects Most
- Toy Manufacturing
- The industry can innovate by incorporating diverse role models into products that reflect a broader spectrum of society.
- Educational Products
- There is potential for educational products that foster friendship and empowerment among young girls through interactive learning.
- Cultural Merchandising
- Expanding into cultural merchandising allows for products to celebrate prominent figures and relationships across varied cultures and professions.
