Latest news with #BarbieFashionistas
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
‘Being different is cool': Lila Moss on becoming first Barbie with diabetes
Arzón debuted the new diabetes Barbie at Peloton Studios New York on July 8, where members of the T1D community gathered for the unveiling. 'After being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes a decade ago, I've found a lot of purpose in advocating for people with the condition. It's an honour to receive a Barbie doll as a part of the brand's efforts to grow awareness and representation. All types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams,' said Arzón. Mattel said the new doll joins the Barbie Fashionistas line, which includes more than 175 diverse looks across varying skin tones, body types, hair textures and medical conditions, including Barbies with hearing aids, Down syndrome, vitiligo and a prosthetic limb. The 2025 Fashionistas range is also focused on sustainability. Mattel confirmed the new dolls commit to using at least 50% ISCC-certified bio-circular plastic, with packaging made from FSC-certified materials, which is part of the company's effort to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials. 'In 2020 Barbie kicked off a multi-year study with researchers at Cardiff University. It found doll play fosters empathy and social development, helping children imagine their futures on an equal playing field,' said Mattel. In South Africa 29-year-old singer Holly Rae was unveiled as a local ambassado alongside with 10-year-old dancer Sayuri Sewsunker. The 2025 Barbie Fashionistas line including the Type 1 Diabetes Barbie is available at the Mattel Shop and major retailers nationwide.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Barbie Expands Representation by Introducing First-Ever Doll With Type 1 Diabetes
Mattel, Inc. announced on July 8, 2025, that it debuted the first-ever Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This is the newest addition to the "Barbie Fashionistas" line, which features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, eye colors, hair textures, body types, and disabilities, including a blind Barbie doll, a Barbie doll with Down Syndrome, and a Barbie doll with hearing aids. 'Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation,' said Krista Berger, Senior Vice President of Barbie and Global Head of Dolls. '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.' Barbie says it partnered with type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization, Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), to ensure the doll's design accurately represented the T1D community, including the medical equipment. The doll includes: Continuous glucose monitor (CGM): CGMs are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person's blood-sugar levels. To keep the doll's CGM in place, she uses heart-shaped medical tape, along with a phone that displays a CGM app to help track her blood sugar levels throughout the day. Insulin pump: Barbie has this small, wearable medical device that allows for automated insulin dosing as needed, attached to her waist. Blue polka dot outfit: The doll wears a stylish polka dot top and matching skirt with ruffles. Both the color blue and circle print are nods to the global symbols that represent diabetes awareness. Purse: The doll comes with a pastel blue purse, perfect for Barbie to carry any essentials, such as type 1 diabetes supplies or snacks, when she's on the go. 'We were thrilled when Barbie approached us to collaborate on the development of the Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes,' said Aaron J. Kowalski, PhD, CEO of Breakthrough T1D. 'I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal—it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families. It's an honor to work with a brand that shares our commitment to showing children that a life with type 1 diabetes can be full, vibrant, and empowering.' As new generations engage with brands, it's important for brands to continue evolving with the culture. And while it's a never-ending effort, making sure all communities feel seen is a valuable part of growing up. Barbie took a step to honor type 1 diabetes advocates, Peloton Instructor Robin Arzón in the U.S. and model Lila Moss in the U.K. with their own specially-designed dolls. 'It's an absolute honor to receive a Barbie doll as a part of the brand's efforts to grow awareness and representation surrounding type 1 diabetes, so that we can help show kids that all types of challenges give us all the more reason to push forward and achieve our dreams,' Arzón said in a statement. Moss seconded the notion, with, 'I am proud to use my platform to educate around type 1 diabetes and show that being different is cool." People have already begun voicing their appreciation for what Barbie is doing with T1D dolls. "We are so excited to see the Lila Moss Barbie Doll celebrating people living with type 1 diabetes," shares Jeminee Ternus, mom to a 9-year-old daughter named Romey who has T1D. "It means so much to Romey in particular because she said 'the world is full of T1Ds, so why not show them!'" Ternus goes on to say seeing a doll like this, wearing an Omnipod (insulin pump) just like one Romey uses, gives her daughter confidence. "As a parent, I love it because instead of teaching kids that they have to fit themselves into an unrealistic mold, or [they have to hide what's] unique about them, it's embracing real kids who get to see their favorite doll showing up exactly like them," says Ternus. "If Barbie can show up brave in something that makes her different, Romey can too!" It's not only kids who are feeling represented by this initiative from Barbie. Eden Miller, DO, who's a doctor from Bend, Oregon, shares with Parents, 'I am a 54-year-old diabetes doctor who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 30 years now. Yesterday I learned about the new T1D Barbie, specifically the one-of-a-kind Barbie inspired by Lila Moss. I immediately clicked on the image and saw the Omnipod on her leg and a CGM on the back of her arm—symbols that so many of us carry with us every day. I'm not a little girl anymore, but having a T1D Barbie shows kids and adults that they are strong and beautiful.' Moss added that feeling seen is reciprocal, and something that should continue to inspire. "Receiving messages from people who see my patches and feel represented means everything to me," she says. "To be able to now see Barbie dolls with T1D, and to receive a Barbie doll that visibly looks like me even wearing her patches, is both surreal and special.' Read the original article on Parents
Los Angeles Times
09-07-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Mattel's newest Barbie has diabetes
Dressed in a matching polka dot tank top and ruffled skirt with blue chunky heeled boots and a mini purse, Mattel's newest Barbie may look like previous dolls at first glance. But this particular doll stands out with a wearable insulin pump on her waist, a glucose monitor on her arm and a phone showing her blood sugar readings, making her the El Segundo-based toy company's first Barbie with Type 1 diabetes. The doll continues Mattel's expansion of representation across its flagship brand. The Barbie Fashionistas line features more than 175 looks across various skin tones, body types and disabilities, including previous additions like a blind Barbie, a Barbie with Down syndrome and a Barbie with hearing aids. The company's commitment to representation has proved commercially successful. In 2024, the top 10 most popular Barbie Fashionista dolls globally included the blind Barbie and the Barbie with Down syndrome. The Fashionistas series also includes dolls with vitiligo, prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs. The wheelchair-using doll has consistently been a top performer since its introduction in 2019. Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls at Mattel, said Barbie helps shape children's early perceptions of the world. Reflecting medical conditions like T1D ensures 'more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love.' The doll was developed with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global Type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. The partnership ensured medical accuracy while incorporating diabetes awareness symbols through the clothes' blue coloring and polka dot pattern. Aaron J. Kowalski, chief executive of Breakthrough T1D, said the partnership is about 'bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families.' The doll launched Tuesday during Breakthrough T1D's 2025 Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. The event brings together more than 170 children living with Type 1 diabetes, giving them face time with members of Congress to advocate for ongoing funding for Type 1 diabetes research. This year they asked members of Congress to renew funding for the Special Diabetes Program. The Special Diabetes Program's current funding expires after September. The program, first allocated by Congress in 1997, faces uncertainty amid recent cuts to federally-funded projects. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 9 million people globally, with about 352,000 children living with diabetes in the United States. The CDC reports that 1.7 million individuals 20 or older live with Type 1 diabetes and use insulin. The new Barbie is available through Mattel Shop and retailers nationwide.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel launches Barbie with Type 1 diabetes and a glucose monitor
Barbie is expanding its repertoire with the launch of a doll that has Type 1 diabetes and is outfitted with medical devices, such as a wearable insulin pump, commonly used by people with the condition. Mattel announced the newest member of its Barbie Fashionistas line on Tuesday, saying that it not only lets children see themselves in the doll, but also encourages play "that extends beyond a child's own lived experience." The doll has a continuous glucose monitor attached to her arm and an insulin pump attached to her waist. Krista Berger, senior vice president for Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a news release that the doll "marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity." "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," Berger said. The Mayo Clinic defines Type 1 diabetes as a chronic condition that results when a person's pancreas creates little to no insulin, the hormone that helps glucose get into cells, where it's broken down. A glucose monitor allows someone with the condition to keep track of their sugar levels and inject insulin to help their body process glucose. An insulin pump is a wearable device that allows for an easy supply of insulin into the body. More than 18,000 young people under the age of 20 were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported that there's been about a 2% increase per year in diagnosed cases between 2002 and 2018. Barbie partnered with the nonprofit organization Breakthrough T1D in the development of its new doll and to ensure an accurate reflection of the devices, the release said. Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron J. Kowalski said he was "thrilled" when the company proposed a collaboration. "I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal – it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families," Kowalski said. A link to buy the doll on Mattel's website appears to already have reviews from parents who were sent the doll, as the website notes the reviews are "incentivized." One parent wrote that they gave the doll to their 7-year-old daughter and it opened up a conversation about diabetes. Another parent called it a "great addition" to the Barbie brand. "We have a close family friend who is T1D, so this was an excellent opportunity to explain what each item was and what it does to help keep people safe and healthy," the review said. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mattel launches Barbie with Type 1 diabetes and a glucose monitor
Barbie is expanding its repertoire with the launch of a doll that has Type 1 diabetes and is outfitted with medical devices, such as a wearable insulin pump, commonly used by people with the condition. Mattel announced the newest member of its Barbie Fashionistas line on Tuesday, saying that it not only lets children see themselves in the doll, but also encourages play "that extends beyond a child's own lived experience." The doll has a continuous glucose monitor attached to her arm and an insulin pump attached to her waist. Krista Berger, senior vice president for Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a news release that the doll "marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity." "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," Berger said. The Mayo Clinic defines Type 1 diabetes as a chronic condition that results when a person's pancreas creates little to no insulin, the hormone that helps glucose get into cells, where it's broken down. A glucose monitor allows someone with the condition to keep track of their sugar levels and inject insulin to help their body process glucose. An insulin pump is a wearable device that allows for an easy supply of insulin into the body. More than 18,000 young people under the age of 20 were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. last year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported that there's been about a 2% increase per year in diagnosed cases between 2002 and 2018. Barbie partnered with the nonprofit organization Breakthrough T1D in the development of its new doll and to ensure an accurate reflection of the devices, the release said. Breakthrough T1D CEO Aaron J. Kowalski said he was "thrilled" when the company proposed a collaboration. "I have lived with T1D since I was 13, and my brother since he was 3, so this partnership is deeply personal – it means the world to be part of bringing greater visibility to a condition that affects so many families," Kowalski said. A link to buy the doll on Mattel's website appears to already have reviews from parents who were sent the doll, as the website notes the reviews are "incentivized." One parent wrote that they gave the doll to their 7-year-old daughter and it opened up a conversation about diabetes. Another parent called it a "great addition" to the Barbie brand. "We have a close family friend who is T1D, so this was an excellent opportunity to explain what each item was and what it does to help keep people safe and healthy," the review said. This article was originally published on
