A Barbie doll made in the likeness of plus size model and activist Ashley Graham was unveiled Monday at Glamour’s Women of the Year ceremony in Los Angeles.
Graham was adamant that the doll’s thighs touch instead of having the “thigh gap” of the traditionally shaped dolls.
“I asked for cellulite but obviously plastic and cellulite don’t go hand in hand,” the body diversity advocate told The Hollywood Reporter.
From the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover to a music video and the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, Graham carries her message about body diversity wherever she goes.
Her message about self-acceptance at any size dovetailed with Barbie’s increasing efforts to show diversity in the sizes and shapes of their dolls.
“I think it’s absolutely incredible that an iconic image in the fashion world, like Barbie, is keeping up with the times and following along with body diversity in such a big way,” Graham told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that she remembers playing with her aunt’s vintage dolls as a kid.
Graham’s doll is not currently available for purchase, but previous Sheroes dolls such as Misty Copeland and Ava DuVernay have been released widely when demand warranted it. Mattel did release a Fashionistas line of dolls earlier this year that has tall, petite, and curvy options as well as different skin and hair colors.
The Barbie doll fashioned for Graham has a round belly and arms as well as the requested lack of a thigh gap. It is wearing an outfit matching one Graham herself wore.
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