Barbie Fashionistas Doll # 208, Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome Wearing Floral Dress, Created in Partnership with the National Down Syndrome Society, HJT05

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif., April 25 th, 2023 – Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today the addition of a Barbie doll with Down syndrome, created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie, as well as have Barbie reflect the world around them. The Barbie doll with Down syndrome is meant to inspire all children to tell more stories through play. Mattel said the new Barbie's puff sleeved dress pattern features butterflies and yellow and blue colors, which are symbols and colors associated with Down syndrome awareness.

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming and digital experiences, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com . When I saw the doll I felt so emotional, and proud. It means a lot to me that children will be able to play with the doll and learn that everyone is different. I am proud that Barbie chose me to show the dolls to the world. Diversity is important as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away, Barbie will help make this happen.” Orthotics : The Barbie Fashionista doll with Down syndrome also wears pink ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) to match her outfit and her sneakers tout a zipper detail. Some children with Down syndrome use orthotics to support their feet and ankles, and NDSS provided a box of orthotics to serve as real-life inspiration for the ones this Barbie Fashionista is wearing, matched to her outfit and the bright colors in her design. The move was welcomed by charities, with Carol Boys, chief executive of the UK Down’s Syndrome Association, saying: “Children in our community will be able to play with a doll that represents them.”Mattel has created a wide variety of dolls in the past. The brand has introduced dolls with a variety of eye colors, hair colors and textures, and body types. They have also launched dolls with vitiligo, wheelchair, prosthetic limb, hearing aids, etc. The doll is also wearing orthotics, a mobility tool that some children with Down syndrome children use to support their feet and ankles. "NDSS provided a box of orthotics to serve as real-life inspiration," the press release said. Exploring the Benefits of Doll Play through Neuroscience , commissioned by Barbie in partnership with Cardiff University For decades after its debut in 1959, Barbie dolls continued to be light-skinned -- white -- slender, blonde, with a very narrow waist, ample bosom and always teetering on impossibly high heels.

Children's toys just got more inclusive, as Mattel announced the launch of its first-ever Barbie doll with Down syndrome. Mattel worked with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to create its doll with Down syndrome, having medical experts weigh in on everything from the doll's face to the accessories. This doll has been sculpted with a shorter frame, a longer torso, a rounder face shape, a flat nasal bridge, and almond-shaped eyes to better represent characteristics of those with Down syndrome. Additionally, the doll's palms include a single line, a trait often associated with Down syndrome, per the press release. Children’s early experiences help shape their thoughts and perceptions – and Barbie can play an important role in this process. When a child plays with Barbie, they play out their dreams and imagine they can be anything. Doll play has an incredible purpose during key developmental stages as it may help set children on a course for success by allowing them to develop empathy fue ling social skills needed to excel as they imagine their futures with an equal playing field 2. The Barbie doll with Down syndrome allows more children to see themselves in Barbie as well as the world around them, which can help foster a sense of inclusivity. The new doll is part of Mattel Barbie Fashionistas line, which aims to offer kids more diverse representations of beauty and fight the stigma around physical disabilities.Sculpt : This doll introduces a new face and body sculpt to be more illustrative of women with Down syndrome, including a shorter frame and a longer torso. The new face sculpt features a rounder shape, smaller ears, and a flat nasal bridge, while the eyes are slightly slanted in an almond shape. The doll’s palms even include a single line, a characteristic often associated with those with Down syndrome. 1 As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play.”