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Let’s close the Dream Gap

Yesterday I felt so proud of our Proteas, our national women’s cricket team. My heart literally burst when I got to spend just an hour with these wonderful ladies. Some of their stories are so inspiring – from being chosen to play for the national team at 16 to coming from a small town in KZN…

There were two players that stood out for me, Chloe Tryone and Moseline Daniels. I will still publish my interviews, but what I took away from my interview with them was that wearing the Protea on their hearts means more to them than we can ever imagine and they will give their everything to keep on representing South Africa.

It is so important for girls to know that there are no limits to what they can achieve and women like Chloe and Moseline (and the rest of the team) is what our girls need to see more of.

There is one little lady who champions global initiatives for girls to realise their limitless potential, Barbie. Her new global initiative, the ‘DREAM GAP PROJECT’ is a multi-year campaign that will raise awareness around limiting factors that prevent girls from reaching their full potential.

Research* has identified that starting at age five many girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and begin to lose confidence in their own competence. Cultural stereotypes, implicit biases and representation in media work together to further this issue. In the United States, this has been referenced as the “Dream Gap,” but there are similar trends seen around the world.

Girls’ belief in themselves is impacted by these limiting factors, so Barbie is dedicated to funding research, highlighting positive role models and rallying a community around supporting girls through The Dream Gap Project.

“Since 1959, Barbie has inspired the limitless potential in every girl and we believe that empowering them at a young age is a catalyst to unlocking their full potential,” said Lisa McKnight, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Barbie. “The goal of The Dream Gap Project is to leverage Barbie’s global platforms to educate society on gender biases and inspire any supporter of girls to join us as we can’t do this alone.”

The notion of a Dream Gap is still a relatively new concept and is under-researched, especially in girls 5-7 years old. To help, the brand is collaborating with Associate Professor Andrei Cimpian of New York University to fund a two-year post-doctoral fellowship on this issue. Globally, Barbie will work with local researchers to extend these studies and find out more about girls around the world.

“Our research is just the beginning — we need to dedicate more resources to this important topic so that we can better understand how to support girls,” said Andrei Cimpian, Associate Professor at New York University. “This collaboration with Barbie is a large-scale, ambitious effort to explore this important phenomenon and share what we know about childhood development to a mass audience, so we can help close the Dream Gap.”

The brand is dedicated to helping close the Dream Gap and will be focused on:

  • Raising awareness through impactful content developed to provide adults with resources on how they can support the girls in their lives available on Barbie.com. Barbie also created a new digital spot, that builds on the “You Can Be Anything” campaign and explains the Dream Gap.
  • Showing girls more role models by highlighting at least 10 empowering female role models each year globally. Because telling a girl she can be anything is just the beginning, actually seeing that she can do anything makes all the difference.
  • Leveraging Barbie as a role model and connecting with girls through inspiring content that is centered on teachable moments. By continuing to infuse purpose-driven themes in content, such as Barbie Vlogger, we are addressing issues that girls face in a unique and approachable way.
  • Continuing to offer empowering products that allow girls to play out their dreams, while showing them they have choices. From the Inspiring Women series to highlighting underrepresented careers, Barbie is encouraging imagination, expression and discovery.
  • Rallying partners around the world with any like-minded companies who are dedicated to girls’ empowerment.

To learn more about the brand’s commitment, please visit barbie.com/DreamGap and join the social conversation with #CloseTheDreamGap.

*Study conducted by researchers at New York University, the University of Illinois and Princeton University.

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Hot Wheels® – 50 years old and getting better with age

Johannesburg, 18 May 2018: There’s something special about a young boy playing with a toy car that his father played with, especially when it’s a toy car that his father’s own father played with. This is just one of several reasons Hot Wheels® is so special: the popular die-cast vehicles and track systems have been exhilarating and challenging kids worldwide for over three generations.

Hot Wheels Car

Today Hot Wheels® is the number one selling toy and vehicle property in the world and this year, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the brand is going into overdrive – with a campaign designed to celebrate five decades of pushing the limits of performance and design.

At the starting line are specific 50th anniversary products including: a Black & Gold Themed Assortment, Zamac Themed Assortment, a Premium Collector Favorites Assortment and a special 5 Pack – as well as distinctive 50th anniversary branding on all 2018 products in the track set range.

This year, Hot Wheels® is also introducing Hot Wheels® City – a system of play, compatible with the others, that allows kids aged 3 to 6 to build a Hot Wheels® world. Parents can expect the infusion of stunting, jumping and looping with imagination and storytelling.

As Hot Wheels® enthusiasts already know, the ‘try, repeat’ play pattern that’s intrinsic to these die-cast toy vehicles awakens the challenger spirit in every individual – helping to boost confidence, inspire creativity, and entrench a sense of good sportsmanship in younger children, older children and lifelong Hot Wheels® collectors.

Hot Wheels Gold Car

It’s also part of the reason that over 6 billion Hot Wheels® have been produced since 1968, with more than 130 new car designs released each year in 150-plus countries. That’s 16.5 Hot Wheels® produced per second, across 20,000 variations.

Known to have partnered with almost every auto manufacturer in the world, Hot Wheels® is licensed to create scale models of many full-size cars, including the use of original design blueprints and detailing. It also has segments in digital, automobile parts, licensed apparel, merchandise, live events, the Guinness World Records and video gaming, where Hot Wheels® cars are featured in some of the biggest games in the industry, including Forza, Need for Speed and Rocket League.

But where did Hot Wheels® come from? It emerged, as many legends do, from a challenge

In 1968 Elliot Handler, US inventor, businessman, and co-founder of Mattel, dared his design team – a rocket scientist and a car engineer – to create a toy car that was cooler and performed better than anything else on the market, so that young boys could experience the thrill of hot rod culture. When Handler saw the first trackable toy car, with its custom design and eye-catching paint job zipping across the floor, he said: “Those are some hot wheels!”

Hot Wheels® have become popular with adult collectors, for whom limited-edition models are now made available, over the last 15 years. The average collector owns over 1,550 cars.

Not the sort of 50-year-old to fall behind on the latest trends, #HotWheels is shared every 30 seconds on social media. No reason you shouldn’t add to that tally right now. #HotWheelsSA #ChallengeAccepted

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When last did you look where your clothes were made?

I like to think that I’m doing my bit to support the local economy. I consciously look at where clothes are made before buying – but then there is the exceptions that I buy because I really like the print… especially for Lexa.

By now you should know that I love Barbie and by extension it means Lexa will never in her life own any other range of dolls that are similar. It will just not happen. She is very fortunate that I am a keen Barbie T-shirt buyer and that she probably has enough for 1.5 weeks without doing laundry.

Not all of them have been bought at retail prices as I am a frequent visitor to Durban’s factory shops… so don’t raise your eyebrows just yet.

You will be surprised to know that the Barbie clothing for your little princess found on the shelves of South African retailers isn’t imported and made in some country in the east – aikona, it is made right on the sunny shores of Durban! Plus if you have time to read about the manufacturing process (below) there are some other interesting facts.

It’s not the same picture for all

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes once a retailer decides they want a Barbie line on their rails/shelves.

Blue Horizon Licencing, the agent for Mattel in South Africa, looks at what worked at the retailer in the past – colours, themes and styles – and work with the retailer’s trend department to work on a new line that could be brand new or incorporate an updated version of a past line.

…but it’s not all up to Blue Horizon and retailers as they receive a collection of artwork and style guides from the US/UK.

Blue Horizon has an in-house designer called Leanne and she will work on a concept and this gets send to the retailer and if they buy into the concept, the design is finalised.

Then it goes to the manufacturer

Leanne then hands over the artwork to Ayanda at TCI in Durban. The TCI team consisting of Ayanda the designer, Lisa the design manager and Lee who is a merchandiser to design a range incorporating  Leanne’s design.

They take into account the pricing range of the retailer, silhouette and styling and then it gets send off to the retailer and Blue Horizon to do final approvals.

Off to the printers

The approved artwork and cut fabric panels are then send to Ocean Blue, the printers, in Durban. They then print the beautiful Barbie artwork onto the garment panels in a variety of techniques on a huge industrial printer with many functions.

Sewing it together

After printing the panels are sent to TCI to be sewn together by seamstresses. Each garment then gets quality checked before being pressed and tagged with the retailer’s swing tags. Then it is send off to the retailer’s distribution centre.

PS… almost everyone working on the Barbie lines are women!

It’s not over yet!

Blue Horizon still has to create marketing material. They arrange for a photoshoot which includes sourcing models, getting samples of the range from TCI and planning the shoot. They have a stylist, usually Erin Smylie from www.erinsmylie.co.za, on set who ensures the models are on point and ready with hair and outfits all day long.

A talented photographer called Kat Grudko (www.katgrudko.co.za) does the shoot and directs the little models – with Leanne on set to help with funny faces, tickles and jumps to get the girls smiling.

Timeframe

The product can take up to 8 months from initial concept to on the shelves – with multiple lines being developed simultaneously!

And there you have it… the whole product cycle with a Fashionista holding it.

Barbie made in South Africa process

…but this is not all you need to know

Now that we know that the design, print, cut, make and trim are done by South Africans – what about the material?

They do source single knit jersey fabric locally and TCI is now also starting to buy cotton yarn locally – and this is great news for local cotton growers! Unfortunately some specialised fabrics still have to be sourced from international suppliers – like denim and mesh.

So next time you are shopping for Barbie clothing, look at the tags and see that it was made in South Africa!

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Mattel South Africa launches Enchantimals™ – exciting new range of whimsical characters and animal besties

Small Doll Line and Content Series ignites imaginative play!

South Africa, 18 April, 2018 – Mattel South Africa has introduced a new brand franchise, Enchantimals™, to the South African market. The new range of whimsical characters and animal besties depicts a fantastical world celebrating the special bond between children and animals, as a pet is often a child’s very first bestie. Enchantimals joins Mattel South Africa’s girl’s portfolio of well-known brands offering products and engaging storylines that ignite imaginative play.

Launching with small dolls and playsets, the Enchantimals product inspires stories of friendship, empathy and compassion towards all living things. The characters and stories come to life through a variety of short-form YouTube content and a 60-minute movie on Nick Toon.

Enchantimals

“At Mattel we are passionate about introducing properties that are both on-trend and purposeful,” says Andrea Ziella, Head of Marketing and Trade Marketing, Mattel SA. “We’re essentially bringing a popular animal aesthetic inspired by social media filters and marrying it with product and stories encouraging empathy and friendship.”

Who are the Enchantimals?

The Enchantimals™ dolls are a group of lovable characters (who are half animal) who have a special bond with their animal best friends. Each character is complete with her animal sidekick with whom she shares an unbreakable bond of friendship. These pairs of animal besties use their abilities and compassion to maintain balance, peace and harmony amongst all living things. Fans will have fun discovering new characters and collecting them all.

Some of the Enchantimals characters include:

  • Felicity Fox™ & Flick™: Felicity is quick, clever and completely curious about anything and everything. Felicity and Flick love to go exploring together, especially to places they have never been to before.
  • Danessa Deer™ & Sprint™: Danessa is the shy and quiet type whose actions speak louder than her words. Danessa and Sprint’s favorite game is to race each other through the forest to see who is the fastest.
  • Sage Skunk™ & Caper™: Sage has a mind as quick as her feet and she’s a great problem solver. When Sage and Caper aren’t working on a new song together, they’re usually planning some elaborately clever prank.
  • Bree Bunny™ & Twist™: Bree is always up to her ears in creative do-it-yourself projects. Bree and Twist are like twin fountains of bubbling creativity. No one has more fun making something together than they do.
  • Patter Peacock™ & Flap™: Patter is proud of her fashionable feathers, and she loves to encourage her friends to be proud too. Patter may not have the best singing voice, but when she teams up with Flap their songs are always belted out in perfect harmony.

In addition to the above core characters, there are many more to collect to play out your Enchantimal stories.

Enchantimals product ranges from RRP R129.99 – RRP R719.99 and is rolling out to South African retailers nationwide from March onwards. Follow along on the Enchantimals journey on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

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Celebrating an icon’s 59th birthday

When an invite popped into my inbox to celebrate 59 years of Barbie – I couldn’t RSVP fast enough! On the day I arrived late (which is really unlike me) and grabbed a seat right at the front during the presentation. Highlights for me included learning that Barbie clothing is actually made in South Africa (all about that in a next post), meeting up with my Blogger Bestie Miss Chanene from Tonics & Tiaras, eating Barbie birthday cake (woohoo!) and going home with a brand spanking new Barbie and Barbie cup.

#YouCanBeAnything

What I love most about Barbie is that she isn’t just a pretty doll, she is actually a role model. She shows girls that they can be anything and that it is OK to be different.

I know that you are probably going “show me the pictures”, so here goes, a post full of pictures.

You Can Be Anything with Barbie

Recognise Sureshnie Rider from 5FM? She told us all about how she saved up as a kid to buy her own Barbie and how she used to play with a friend’s Barbie because she didn’t have one.

…but wait, there is more!

Barbie Clothing made in South Africa

Barbie Clothing made in South Africa

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Easter Holiday Hacks to keep the kids busy

The Easter Holidays have arrived. Children across the country are celebrating, no more school for two whole weeks. Meanwhile, moms across the country are waking up in a cold sweat. No more school for two whole weeks.

Whether you work full time, work from home, or stay at home; if you’re a mom, the common childhood complaint of boredom will haunt you these holidays unless you plan ahead.

Blue Horizon Licensing, exclusive representatives of Mattel Consumer Products in South Africa for over 15 years, has pooled its brainpower to bring you five easy Easter holiday hacks to help keep the kids busy.

1) Host a Barbie picnic

Summer is drawing to a close, so take full advantage of a sunny day by hosting a Barbie-themed Easter picnic. Let your little girls invite a couple of friends over, tell them to dress in Barbie pink, and bring their favourite Barbie dolls to join in the fun. Spread a blanket on the lawn, bring out the Barbie tea set, and roll in the Barbie Food Truck. Complete the picture with a couple of jugs of water (or pink milk, if you’re feeling brave!) and a selection of real biscuits.

This picnic combines imaginative play, allowing the kids to order their ‘food’ from the truck – select from hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza slices and a variety of ice creams – with water play, as they pour and drink their ‘tea’. Water play is especially good for toddlers, helping to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination. It is also regarded as one of the best starting blocks for building Maths and Science skills, introducing them to concepts such as empty, full, half full, and – most likely – spillage (As a bonus, give them some cloths, maybe they will learn to clean up after themselves too!)

When the picnic draws to a close, surprise them with an impromtu Easter Egg hunt in the garden. You’ll be the most popular mom on the block!

2) Build a Hot Wheels rally track

Nothing entertains children quite like toy cars, so why not host an outdoor Hot Wheels rally championship? This season’s hottest Hot Wheels includes a selection of bikes, monster trucks, drift cars and mini quads – perfect for outdoor terrain.

Build a traditional track using the Hot Wheels track builder, but encourage the kids to expand their play into the garden, using sand and mud to create their own rally courses. Up the ante by introducing Hot Wheels Light and Sound Master Blaster or Hyper Racer, or blast into turbo speed with the remote control Nitro Charger.

Sand and mud play is widely recognised as one of the joys of childhood, not only because the kids are actually encouraged to get dirty, but also for its open-endedness – there really is no limit to what kids can build, no right and wrong, and no end to the entertainment. While some kids simply enjoy the sensation of playing with mud, others will relish the opportunity to build intricate tracks, with obstacles constructed of sticks, leaves and stones. Just remember to dress the kids in old clothing – this game is bound to get dirty!

3) Throw a Slumber party

Chickens aren’t the only animals that lay eggs this Easter – Dinosaurs do too! So why not throw a Barney-themed slumber party? If the kids are too young to sleep over, suggest a ‘sleep under’ – where they come for early evening dinner and fun, but go home to sleep in their own beds. Tell the kids to bring their own Barney, you supply some Barney colouring books and colouring crayons, plus a couple of Barney floor puzzles that they can all do together. End off the evening with a selection of Barney DVDs, filled with music and fun that kids simply can’t resist. Love him or hate him, Barney holds a special place in the hearts of all children, teaching them kindness, manners and the value of good old fashioned fun.

4) Ten Pin Bowling: Barbie vs Barney

Ten pin bowling is all the rage these holidays, perfect for either indoor or outdoor play. And with the Barney Bowling set and Barbie’s Pinktastic Bowling set, you’re all set for a nail-biting Ten Pin tournament. Purple vs Pink. Barney vs Barbie.

Ball skills are another vital building block in childhood development, teaching hand eye co-ordination, motor skills and timing. Hosting a friendly tournament is also a great way to introduce young children to competitive play, teaching them the joy of winning, but also the inevitability of losing, and the importance of being a good sport, win or lose.

5) Take the kids shopping

When all else fails, it’s time to get out the house! Shopping with toddlers always sounds like a bad idea, but this Easter Toy Kingdom stores across the country are hosting a series of Easter Egg hunts. Kicking off on March 31, stores at the East Rand Mall, Gateway, Sandton, Menlyn, V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk, will host a series of eggciting Easter Egg hunts, allowing kids the freedom to run through their favourite Toy Kingdom stores and join in the search for hundreds of chocolate eggs, plus the chance to find one of 2 golden eggs per store – and win an eggstra eggciting prize! The hunt promises to keep kids busy for at least 30 minutes, just enough time for mom to grab a cup of coffee, which is sometimes all you need to restore your sanity. Follow the Toy Kingdom South Africa Facebook Page for more details.

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Barbie – the brand that launched a thousand dreams

Did you know that America had a female astronaut, who went to the moon before Neil Armstrong? That this same woman ran for President, six times, years before Hillary Clinton won the Democratic ticket? And that despite celebrating her 59th anniversary this year, she has one of the world’s fastest growing Instagram accounts, focusing on fashion?

Her name is Barbara Millicent Roberts; you probably know her as Barbie!

A powerful 59 year legacy

On Friday, 9 March 2018, the Barbie brand celebrates its 59th anniversary, yet this global icon remains as youthful, and relevant, as ever! Barbie is still the most popular toy and doll brand worldwide, with a 99% brand awareness across over 150 countries around the world; over 14 million Facebook fans, more than 4.5 million monthly app users, over 4 million active website users, 3.2 million YouTube subscribers, 268 000 Twitter followers, and one of the world’s fastest growing Instagram accounts – @Barbiestyle – currently sitting at a whopping 1.9 million followers.

Over the years, Barbie has been inspiring little girls, empowering them through creative play to imagine the possibilities of being anything they want to be.

She may have started her life as a teenage fashion model, but just one year later, she was promoted to fashion editor. And the year after that, she shattered the plastic ceiling and entered the working world as a ‘career gal’. She’s been an aerobics instructor, a ballerina, a fashion designer and an Olympic athlete, as well as a Marine Corps sergeant, firefighter and airline pilot. In fact, Barbie has over 180 careers on her resume; any career you can imagine, Barbie has been there and done that, inspiring little girls to dream big and reach for the sky.

In 2011, Barbie committed to entering into a new career every year, specifically those that are traditionally under-represented by women, such as computer engineering, film directing, and entrepreneurship. Of late, she has even broken into the spy world, and tried her hand at being a superhero.

Breaking boundaries, shattering stereotypes

 In 2015, in a bid to provide girls all over the world with role models who looked just like them, she broke more boundaries when she hit shelves in a variety of skin tones and hair textures. This was closely followed by different body types in 2016, to better represent a more varied and authentic reality. The stereotype-shattering Fashionista range now includes four body types (the original and three new shapes – petite, curvy, and tall), seven skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 hairstyles and countless on-trend fashions and accessories.

Girls across the globe can now choose to play with a Barbie who looks just like them, or create a group of friends who is more like their own group of friends at school.

It’s no wonder Barbie’s image is used on over 45 consumer product categories, from clothing, shoes, accessories and linen, to stationery, games, magazines, books, sporting goods, consumer electronics and even food items.

Wherever children across the world see Barbie’s image, they don’t see a doll, but rather a world of limitless possibilities and opportunities. Barbie is a brand that celebrates the power of imaginative play, and empowers children – especially young girls – to dream big.

In South Africa alone, over 10 million units of Barbie emblazoned consumer products were sold in 2017, from clothing lines reminding kids that It’s Great to Be a Girl, and encouraging them to Make Things Happen, to school bags, stationery and scatter cushions reminding them to Dream BIG, Think the Unthinkable, and Always Show your Sparkle.

The evolution continues

 The celebration of Barbie’s 59th anniversary in March brings with it a host of new goodies for girls from all walks of life, from new dolls in the Fashionista range that better reflect the world girls see around them and bring imaginative play even closer to home; to new clothing ranges, linen lines, jewellery, accessories and sporting goods – all championing Barbie’s go getter attitude.

Today, the bedrooms, toy boxes, closets and pencil cases of girls around the world are bulging with Barbie branded goodies, serving as a constant reminder that there is no dream too big, no wish too wild, no ambition too elaborate – imagine the possibilities! #YouCanBeAnything

My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices” Ruth Handler, Barbie Creator

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Barbie® Honors Global Role Models on International Women’s Day

Wednesday, 7 March 2018: Today, ahead of International Women’s Day, Barbie is honoring 17 historical and modern-day role models from around the world. These women come from diverse backgrounds and fields and are breaking boundaries to inspire the next generation of girls. With 81 percent* of moms globally worried about the type of role models their daughters are exposed to, Barbie is igniting a conversation around the importance of positive role models.

“As a brand that inspires the limitless potential in girls, Barbie will be honoring its largest line up of role models timed to International Women’s Day because we know that you can’t be what you can’t see,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Barbie. “Girls have always been able to play out different roles and careers with Barbie and we are thrilled to shine a light on real life role models to remind them that they can be anything.”

Sparking a global conversation leading up to International Women’s Day, the Barbie brand is:

  • Honoring 14 modern-day role models – Through its Shero program, Barbie honors women who have broken boundaries in their fields and have been an inspiration to the next generation of girls with a one-of-a-kind doll made in their likeness. Global honorees announced today include:
    • Patty Jenkins, Filmmaker, USA – The first woman in history to helm a film with a budget in excess of 100 million dollars for WONDER WOMAN, which broke the record for Biggest Grossing Live-Action Film Directed by a Woman – domestic and worldwide
    • Chloe Kim, Snowboarding Champion, USA – A first generation Asian-American snowboarding champion and the youngest woman to win a gold medal in snowboarding at the 2018 winter games at age 17
    • Bindi Irwin, Conservationist, Australia – International award-winning wildlife conservationist and celebrity who inherited her father’s passion for wildlife and is dedicated to inspiring the next generation to make a difference in the world
    • Nicola Adams, Boxing Champion, UK – Two-time gold medalist who is Great Britain’s most successful female boxer of all time and is the only female boxer in the history of the sport to have held all four amateur titles
    • Çağla Kubat, Windsurfer, Turkey – Champion windsurfer and member of the Fenerbahçe sailing and windsurfing team who founded her own windsurfing school for young surfers
    • Hélène Darroze, World-Renowned Chef, France – Inspirational fourth-generation French chef with three restaurants and two Michelin stars
    • Hui Ruoqi, Volleyball Champion, China – Fifteenth Captain of the Chinese women’s national volleyball team who also won gold in the 2016 summer games
    • Leyla Piedayesh, Designer and Entrepreneur, Germany – Iranian immigrant and founder of fashion label lala Berlin that incorporates urban-cool and elegant-chic elements in its high-quality knitwear
    • Lorena Ochoa, Professional Golfer, Mexico – Athlete, mother, entrepreneur and unbreakable promoter of golf in Mexico
    • Martyna Wojciechowska, Journalist, Poland – TV presenter, magazine editor, author, director and the second Polish woman to conquer the Seven Summits
    • Sara Gama, Soccer Player, Italy – Captain of Juventus and Italian national soccer team, member of the Federal Board and President of Commission for the development of women’s soccer
    • Xiaotong Guan, Actress and Philanthropist, China – Ambassador for “World Life Day,” a joint campaign by the United Nations Environment Program, International Fund for Animal Welfare and The Nature Conservancy, and known as the “Nation’s Daughter” in China
    • Yuan Tan, Prima Ballerina, China – Prima ballerina and principal dancer at the San Francisco Ballet and guest principal dancer at the Hong Kong Ballet
    • Vicky Martin Berrocal, Entrepreneur and Fashion Designer, Spain – Leads the creative direction of Victoria company with collections that include festive costumes, flamenco dresses, gowns, handbags and jewelry
  • Introducing Inspiring Women™ doll line series – These historical dolls come with educational information about the contributions each woman made to society and their respective fields. The first three dolls in this series are:

    Historical Role Models Barbie
    (Barbie) Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo and Katherine Johnson – in Barbie form.
  • Amelia Earhart – First female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, courageously challenging the conventions of the times by breaking and setting aviation records
  • Frida Kahlo – Artist who gained recognition for her unique style and perspective, and became a celebrated artist, activist and symbol of strength
  • Katherine Johnson –  Pioneer in mathematics who broke through barriers of race and gender, and joined a pool of women hired by NASA to work as ‘human computers’ to calculate the trajectory of the first American-manned flight into space

Asking fans to share #MoreRoleModels – Barbie is sparking a global call to action by asking fans to tag and share the female role models that inspire them, using #MoreRoleModels on social media.

Barbie has previously honored women, including Ibtihaj Muhammad, Misty Copeland, Ava DuVernay, Eva Chen and Ashley Graham. Through the program, which started in 2015, Sheroes are given the Barbie brand’s highest honor, a one-of-a-kind doll made in their likeness, in celebration of their roles in expanding the possibilities for girls everywhere.

Visit www.Barbie.com/rolemodels for more information on the global role models and program. Follow @barbie and @barbiestyle on social media to join in the conversation using #MoreRoleModels.

* This online survey of 8,000 moms of daughters aged 0-10 years old, was commissioned by Mattel and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct

 

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Fabulous new additions to the Fisher-Price® South African offering

The very latest Fisher-Price® products are planned to be released in SA by Mattel South Africa near the end of March / early April. The exciting new range will add further diversity to the Fisher-Price® infant and pre-school offerings which continue to be developed with one goal in mind – to nurture children’s learning and development and give them the best possible start in life.

The latest developmental products include:

2-in-1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Center

The 2-in-1 Sit-to Stand Activity Center transforms from a fun activity center for baby to sit and play to a toddler table. Baby’s actions are rewarded with music, sounds and lights. The toy-filled platform encourages baby to spin for 360° of play. It is also easily converted to toddler mode: just attach the ramp and use the shape sorter bugs for sliding play. The Activity Centre offers a three position height adjustment, a removable seat pad for machine washing and removable legs for easy storage. Age Grade: 9 months +.

2-in1 Sit-to-Stand Activity Centre

Recommended Retail Price: R1 449.99.

Butterfly Dreams Musical Playtime Gym

The new Butterfly Dreams Musical Playtime Gym is ideal for gross motor skill development, sensory development and nurturing feelings of security and happiness. The portable activity mat, decorated with a Butterfly Dreams scene, has a musical take-along cloud and bear with short and long-play music modes. It also comes with five toys including: a fabric crinkle butterfly attached to a link, a leaf and mushroom clacker, a large mirror with a high contrast label on the back, a rattle with a large bear face, and an inch worm teether. Age Grade: Birth+.

FP Butterfly Dreams Musical Playtime Gym

Recommended Retail Price: R799.99.

Butterfly Dreams 2-in-1 Soother

A dresser-top soother that incorporates a 2-in-1 design and is great for baby’s sensory development and fostering feelings of security and happiness. Key product features include an overhead starlight projection, a color-changing nightlight (inside the cubby), deluxe music and sounds, and a take-along, machine washable plush lovey. The soother is battery operated with three auto-off timers and a control panel on the back allows for customisation of features. Age Grade: Birth+.

Butterfly Dreams 2-in-1 Soother

Recommended Retail Price: R529.99.

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