Some girls can only dream of owning a doll that looks just like them. Now Ashley Graham gets to fulfill our childhood fantasy—with a doll based on her likeness. When Mattel first approached the model, she had only one condition: No thigh gap.
“She had to have her thighs touch. No ands, ifs or buts about it,” said Ashley, who is a size 14 and a longtime champion of body positivity. “And I asked for cellulite, but obviously plastic and cellulite don’t go hand in hand. It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible.”
And resemble her it does. The doll is even dressed like Ashley, with an Opening Ceremony bodycon, Sonia Rykiel jean jacket and Pierre Hardy boots.
It’s a part of Mattel’s Shero line, which includes film director Ava DuVernay and actress Zendaya—both of whose Barbies also debuted this year. Here’s to another step forward for body diversity.
