Barbie releases new doll with scoliosis
The popular toy brand has been working on creating a more inclusive range of their dolls.
In a bid to create a more inclusive brand, Barbie has now released dolls with features of people living with scoliosis.
The toy company featured the new doll as part of their line of Barbie's little sister, Chelsea.
Have you heard the news? @barbie has a new friend who wears a #scoliosisbrace! So cool to see #scoliosis represented like this 🫶 And love that she wears her brace proudly on the outside! 💚 Thanks @Mattel for spreading #scoliosisawareness#scoliosiswarrior pic.twitter.com/lieekeh6MW
— CurvyGirls Scoliosis (@CurvyGirlsScoli) February 1, 2023
In recent years, the world-renowned brand has been working to show the power of representation after being criticised for making only thin, over-sexualised dolls.
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The multinational toy manufacturer Mattel, which manufactures Barbie and Chelsea, worked alongside Dr Luke Macyszyn, a board-certified neurosurgeon and specialist in children's complex spinal disorders, to develop the doll.
The new doll features a curvature of the spine and a removable back brace.
Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, said: "We believe in the power of representation and are committed to creating dolls in a variety of looks so that kids can see themselves in Barbie - and now in a line celebrating Barbie's little sister, Chelsea".
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According to Sky News, the manufacturer has released other dolls to create a more diverse range, including wheelchair-using, plus-size, Hijab-wearing, and sign-language dolls.
In 2022, the company also released its first Barbie with hearing aids.
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