15
NEWS
EDITOR'S COMMENT
Strange how things turn around and come around. Way back in 2009 I was
embarking on publishing the second issue of Desang Diabetes Magazine
and, with the theme of travelling with diabetes being the point of that
issue, I came up with the idea of using Ken and Barbie on the front cover
(illustrated here). I duly obtained a Barbie and a Ken doll, as well as a Barbie
jeep and I set up a little photoshoot at a location with some sand, and there
I had it - the image for the front cover, nearly 15 years ago, and now a Barbie
doll with T1D, fun times! - Sue Marshall
Thrilled
Karen Addington MBE, CEO of Breakthrough T1D UK, said:
"I'm absolutely thrilled that Barbie now includes a doll with
type 1 diabetes. As a beloved icon for children everywhere,
it's wonderful to see Barbie proudly reflecting T1D and the
technology that comes with it. For children with T1D who
don't often see themselves represented, this doll will be a
powerful role model, celebrating their strength and bringing
recognition, inclusion, and joy to their play."
The Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 looks
across various skin tones, eye colours, hair colours and
textures, body types, disabilities and fashion styles, including
a Blind Barbie doll, a Barbie doll with Down Syndrome, and a
Barbie doll with Hearing Aids, among others.
In 2020, Barbie kicked off a multi-year study with
researchers at Cardiff University on the short-term and
long-term benefits of doll play. It has been found that doll
play serves an incredible purpose during key developmental
stages, as it may help set children on a course for success
by fostering empathy and developing social skills needed to
excel, all while imagining their futures on an equal playing
field.
Head of Dolls
Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global
Head of Dolls said of the launch, "Introducing a Barbie
doll with Type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our
commitment to inclusivity and representation. Barbie helps
shape children's early perceptions of the world, and by
reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids
can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls
they love."
The 2025 Barbie Fashionistas dolls, including the Barbie
doll with T1D, are now available on Mattel Shop and at
retailers nationwide.
https://shopping.mattel.com/en-gb