Thanks to Mattel, supermodel Ashley Graham now has a Barbie doll that looks just like her.
The 29-year-old was presented with the doll at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night, where she was honored for her activism for inclusivity in fashion. Graham is a plus-sized model who advocates for body positivity, according to the Huffington Post.
“I never imagined that I would have my own Barbie,” Graham told the Hollywood Reporter just a few hours before her doll was unveiled.
Https://www.instagram.com/p/BMz65-sA_dF/?taken-by=theashleygraham
But before Graham allowed the company to create her mini-me, she put in one request: The doll could not have a thigh-gap.
“She had to have her thighs touch. No ands, ifs or buts about it. And I asked for cellulite but obviously plastic and cellulite don’t go hand in hand,” she told the Hollywood Reporter. “It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible. The thighs touching was one way to show young girls that it’s OK for your thighs to touch, despite society saying that a ‘thigh gap’ is more beautiful.”
Https://www.instagram.com/p/BM1iGKUA5lG/?taken-by=theashleygraham
Although Mattel is known for its slender and busty Barbie dolls, Graham’s request wasn’t an issue. Over the past year, the company has made an effort to make dolls that are more diverse and inclusive, announcing in January three new body types to go along with its traditional 57-year-old doll.
To create the doll, Graham sent a series of full body shots to Mattel to ensure the doll’s proportions would mirror her own, according to BuzzFeed. She also discussed proper hair style and eye color with the company.
“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,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
Coins2Day has reached out to Mattel and will update the story if we receive response.