Last year, Ashley Graham received her likeness in Barbie form, and this year she presented activist and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad with one in the traditional hijab that Muhammad herself wears (she was the American first athlete to compete in one, at Rio 2016). Well, actually, Ibtihaj got two — in grand Barbie tradition, there is never only ONE outfit — but before we take a closer look, I’d also like to note that her skirt is fabulous despite not appearing to care for whatever limo ride she took to get there. I also think her face is perfection, and that it’s insane that People didn’t (I don’t think) put her in its 2017 Most Beautiful issue. Wake up, People. Get it right in 2018.
Okay: Here’s the Barbie that was presented to Muhammad during the daytime panel discussions:
I love that they crafted one for her that is a nod to her athletic achievements as well. This Barbie is muscular and strong and proud, and oh yeah, also espousing her spirituality. I hope it sells like hotcakes, not just to girls and women who are eager to see themselves reflected in the toy store shelves, but to the ones who aren’t and just think she’s beautiful and bad-ass.
For the big gala, Barbie got a clothing swap:
I love it, and her footwear is KIND OF reflective of the ones Muhammad is wearing herself to the party. This is wonderful representation that I hope Mattel does not treat as gimmickry, but rather a chance to educate and include in a lasting way. In other words: I hope she flies off the shelves, so that she can stay on them in perpetuity.
Oh, and:
That is gorgeous. I would have hemmed the pants, but otherwise, it’s gently intoxicating. She looks as if she would smell like a Woods of Windsor store. That’s a compliment.
