The American multinational toy manufacturing company revealed the first Barbie in hijab, inspired by Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.
Mattel drew inspiration from Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American to wear a hijab to the Olympics, for the first-ever hijabi Barbie doll.
We are so excited to honor @IbtihajMuhammad with a one-of-a-kind #Barbie doll! Ibtihaj continues to inspire women and girls everywhere to break boundaries. #Shero #YouCanBeAnything #GlamourWOTY pic.twitter.com/oV0e6ClgL6
— Barbie (@Barbie) November 13, 2017
The new doll is part of Barbie ‘Shero’ line, that honors pioneering women who challenge obstacles, and will be available online starting next fall.
Ibtihaj Muhammad is a professional fencer who represented USA sporting a hijab at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She took home the bronze medal.
Thank you @Mattel for announcing me as the newest member of the @Barbie #Shero family! I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab! This is a childhood dream come true ?? #shero pic.twitter.com/py7nbtb2KD
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) November 13, 2017
“I’m proud to know that little girls everywhere can now play with a Barbie who chooses to wear hijab!,” the athlete tweeted.
“This is a childhood dream come true,” she added.
Ms. Muhammad, who is a sports ambassador and works with US State Department on empowering girls through sports initiative, came under harsh criticism during the her Olympic campaign.
She looked stunninghttps://t.co/MPGOLKcgCx #MuslimWomen #MunaJama #MissUniverse
— The Life Pile (@thelifepile) August 8, 2017
Then, she told the Daily Beast that she did “not feel safe” as a Muslim living in the US.
She also runs Louella, a clothing company she set up with her siblings which manufactures modest women’s clothing. The new Barbie was seen sporting a Louella dress on the red carpet.
Had to make sure my @Barbie slayed the red carpet in a @louellashop dress pic.twitter.com/vzf28aXuA6
— Ibtihaj Muhammad (@IbtihajMuhammad) November 14, 2017