Barbie Launches Ken Doll with Vitiligo

The doll will make its debut nationwide in June.

Mattel, the parent company for Barbie, will include a Ken doll with vitiligo as part of their 2022 Fashionistas line.

The Barbie Fashionistas line includes Barbie dolls with more variety of skin tones, eye colors, hair colors and textures, body types, disabilities, and fashions.    In 2020, the brand introduced Barbie with vitiligo into the Fashionistas line, and it was one of the top five Fashionistas best sellers in the U.S. that year.   

In addition to the new Ken doll with vitiligo, the brand is introducing new Ken options with rooted short hair and slender body type and the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids,

“Barbie wholeheartedly believes in the power of representation, and as the most diverse doll line on the market, we are committed to continuing to introduce dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them,” says Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, in a news release. “It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.” 

The 2022 Barbie Fashionista line will be available from retailers nationwide for $9.99.  

PHOTO CREDIT: MATTEL