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Culture November 15, 2016
Barbie’s thighs are touching for the first time in Mattel’s new doll inspired by body positive champion and plus-size model, Ashley Graham.
When Mattel approached Graham about designing a doll in her image, she made it clear that she didn’t want a thigh gap.
“What I requested was that her thighs touch,” the model tells Glamour. “And then I asked for cellulite, but I don’t think I’m going to get any.”
As a plus-size model, Ashley Graham has been a trailblazer for the widespread body positive movement in 2016. In February, she became the first size-16 to land the cover of Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue, instantly bringing body acceptance to mainstream media. Not only that, but her runway show during New York Fashion Week was a proud display of exquisite lingerie, curves and plus size beauty. Graham owned the runway (and her catwalk) alongside other plus size models, such as Jordyn Woods, Precious Lee and Tara Lynn.
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Now, she uses her fan base of more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter to push for bigger, more inclusive change in the fashion industry.
Come on @Barbie, let’s go party!!! ?Thank you to my new and incredible @Mattel family for this honor! #beautybeyondsize #barbie #curvybarbie pic.twitter.com/uVN5QfZgPM
— Ashley Graham (@theashleygraham) November 15, 2016
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And with Graham’s new Barbie, young girls everywhere can also be inspired. “She got a round belly. She got round hips. She got round everything, yes!” the model exclaimed after seeing her doll for the first time. This Barbie joins the likes of Mattel’s new diverse line. After 57 years of Barbie’s “impossible” figure, her body type got three new makeovers: tall, petite and curvy.
“I hope they look in the mirror and say, ‘I am beautiful,’” Graham says. “When you do that, it’s a whole other ball game – you start to understand that your words have power.”
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