Barbie
Adwoah Aboah has been made into a Barbie doll in celebration of International Women’s Day. The model and activist was honoured by toy company Mattel in light of her on-going vocal and passionate support of girls.
Aboah was highly praised for using her platform to empower young women by founding Gurls Talk, an online community where young women can discuss issues like mental health in a safe place.
Her doll pays homage to a seminal moment in her modelling career, winning Model of the Year at the Fashion Awards in 2017.
Mike Marsland/BFCGetty Images
“I love that Barbie offers so much choice now, but to see my own doll that has my freckled skin, skin colour, shaved head and tattoos is so meaningful to me,” said Aboah.
The doll wears a miniature version of her sequinned Halpern outfit, complete with Stephen Jones turban and Christian Louboutin platform sandals.
Aboah posted a picture with her Barbie to Instagram and wrote a heartfelt caption: “All I hope is that some little girl out there sees this and realises that her wildest dreams are possible if she puts her mind to it.”
“I hear you and see you, this doll is for you.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuqXTQ0nX8C/?utm_source=ig_embed
The model hopes that her work will encourage girls to be whatever they want to be, voicing her support of the Shero project: “I hope we can inspire girls to try and change the world around them, through acts big or small.”
“I want to help close the Dream Gap, so that girls don’t have to question if they are smart or brave, and have no limits placed on their capabilities by society.”
The Shero programme showcases inspiring women for the next generation with Barbie aiming to close the ‘Dream Gap’. Research has shown that from the age of five, girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and more likely to lose self-confidence.
The model and activist joins previous recipients including model Ashley Graham, dancer Misty Copeland, US Olympian fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Instagram’s Eva Chen.
Aboah has featured in global campaigns and walked in shows for some of fashion’s biggest names including Dior, Chanel and Versace. Later this week she will talk in an International Women’s Day discussion panel alongside Annie Lennox and the Duchess of Sussex.
