08-07-2025
Lila Moss fronts new campaign as Barbie launches its first ever 'diabetic' doll - after the model opened up about living with the condition
Lila Moss fronted a new campaign as Barbie launched its first ever 'diabetic doll' this week.
The model, 22, - who lives with type one diabetes - posed in a pink silk mini dress for the project before changing into a black top and white skirt for another shot.
The 'diabetic' doll features a continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump - which Lila has spoken about using in the past.
The toy firm says it made the first Barbie with type 1 diabetes (T1D) so more children could see themselves reflected in the range of dolls.
It worked with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research organisation in developing the new doll, which also has a purse perfect for carrying 'snacks'.
The company has marked the release by partnering with fashion model Lila who is an insulin-dependent diabetic herself.
The young model previously discussed her condition during a segment on Vogue's In The Bag YouTube after making the unconventional decision to wear the monitor on the catwalk.
She said: 'I have some sugar tablets, in case my blood sugar goes low. I'm diabetic so I have this which controls a pod on my leg, which gives me insulin.
'This is very important to keep in my bag, it comes with me everywhere.'
The star - worried her essential device could get lost - added: 'I even have an apple air-tag to follow it around with my phone.'
Speaking about her condition in 2020, she told The Kit: 'I think not many people know that I have diabetes. It's not visible from the outside, so no one would really know just by looking at you.'
Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high.
It happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.
You need daily injections of insulin to keep your blood glucose levels under control.
It worked with Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research organisation in developing the new doll, which also has a purse perfect for carrying 'snacks'
Lila landed her first modelling gig at the age of 15 - nabbing a campaign for Marc Jacobs Beauty - at just a year older than her mother was when she entered the business.
Yet despite her mother being one of the famous models in the business, Lila has previously revealed that Kate was keen to deter her from following in her footsteps.
'My mum always put me off [modelling],' Lila said.
'She was always like, 'If you wanna do it, you can, but I wouldn't recommend it.''
Despite her mother's apprehension, Lila insisted that she doesn't feel anxious at the thought that modelling success could bring the fame from which her parents tried to protect her.
She mused: 'Not really. I've seen it first-hand, so I'm much more able to cope with it. I've had to say no to people. But I'm always nice!'
Lila's father is journalist Jefferson Hack, with whom Kate was in a relationship in the early Noughties.
Jefferson and Kate - who dated from 2001 to 2004 with Lila being born in 2002 - have an amicable relationship and would ensure their daughter spent a regular amount of time with each of them in her childhood.
