Alopecia World
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New “bald” friend of Barbie causes controversy
U.S. toymaker Mattel created a “bald” friend of Barbie doll named Ella and donated a limited quantity of the dolls to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).
However, the bald doll has created some controversy in the alopecia community because Ella is packaged with a wig on.
Some feel that it is not a real representation of a person with alopecia and would have preferred that the doll was packaged bald with perhaps a wig included as a fashion accessory.
NAAF states it was not involved in the development or packaging of the Ella doll and that Mattel made the determination that Ella would be wearing her wig in the packaging.
What do you think of Mattel’s decision?
NAAF is making its supply of the Ella dolls available on a first-come first-served basis to children with alopecia ages 3-17. You can apply at www.naaf.org, as Ella is not available in stores.
Comment
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Comment by JeffreySF on November 11, 2017 at 11:29pm
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You might want to attend a NAAF conference to help you cope with your alopecia. www.naaf.org
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Comment by Jessy on November 10, 2017 at 2:14pm
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I'm Zambian (African). I started loosing hair for years ago. I'm even diabetic,,my life is so tough and complicated. At times I wish I were d**d. The only thing that gives me the will to live are my children. Nobody really understands...it's really so painful.People are ever staring if my head is not covered. I live in a rural area so even wigs are hard to come by....my career makes it even had. I love ❤ what I do just that we are conformed to particular norms...a bald headed teacher in rural communities..will be unheard-of...at times I feel like screaming...I'm comforted to see that they are others like me..just wish,,,only wish...
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I can see those suffering with Alopecia who don't wear wigs or any covering having a preference to have Ella packaged without a wig on. Having worn a wig for years to cover up bald spots, I don't have a problem with Ella sporting her wig in the package.
Keep looking - God is looking down!
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Comment by Margaret Brennan on February 19, 2013 at 7:03am
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it was a comment box on their website. so no email address. just found went to their contact us area on the mattel website.
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Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on February 18, 2013 at 7:55pm
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Margaret, you should post the email address that you sent your email to, in case others wish to send one as well. Thanks!
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wow, that is a great news piece. Good job. I wonder how many Mattel folks are at home kicking themselves for missing the mark on this "great" idea of theirs... tee hee. love media and the internet for making things get out there.
Let's see how long it takes for them to reverse if this chatter keeps up.
I want to be able to buy one for my granddaughters so they can have a doll with hair like grandma's - the unstuck kind.
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Comment by Dominique Cleopatra on February 16, 2013 at 1:47am
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Thanks for sharing, Cheryl! It Looks like Alopecia World made the news. While I didn't think the packaging was a big deal, I'm glad that my fellow alopecians who were offended have a voice and are proving to be a force to be reckoned with!
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Here's a WTHR 13 news report that just came out:
13 WTHR Indianapolis
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Comment by Larry Barbee on February 12, 2013 at 11:26pm
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I don't think much of the message Mattel is sending with how the doll is being packaged.
Since it's being marketed to a very select and limited market, why have the doll looking like their regular line of dolls?They seem to be saying that baldness is something to hide and/or shameful. If I was female and old enough to understand ads and marketing, I don't think getting one of these dolls would make me feel better about being normal and ok in this society.
What also makes me feel like Mattel is sending mixed messages is by it's packaging, collectors will find it hard to find. I don't know much about dolls and doll collecting, but I do know Barbie is a highly collectable item. A lot of females who don't have a hair loss issue are going to own some of these dolls.
When Mattel produces new figures in their G.I. Joe series, there are stickers stating this "Joe" is a "limited edition" or a "30th Anniversary" on the box to bloat the sales on that action figure. They even include special documentation.
It's too bad that Mattel is not marketing their bald Barbie to mainstream markets. They may not sell as well as the other Barbies, but slap "limited edition" on the box and they will sell.
God bless,
Larry
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Comment by Sarah on February 11, 2013 at 3:03pm
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I believe that the barbie should have been packages without the wig on and had the wig as an accessory. Although a lot of bald people chose to wear wigs I think it would have been a more positive message for the doll to be seen and bought as bald, we are against the grain as bald, I'm tired of doctors telling me the best thing I can do for my self esteem is to wear a wig when the best thing I can do for myself is learn to accept who I am as I am and for society to see us as the beautiful people we still are. I'm tired of having to wear wigs to get a job and to be seen as professional as to my "extreme bald look" that does not see to have a place in the working world. This doll can be a step in the right direction but the doll should be bald when sold so the wig is more of an option and not a necessity to the doll.
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