Ashley Graham has just gotten her very own body positive Barbie doll
Plus sized model Ashley Graham has been immortalised in plastic by Barbie manufacturer Mattel.
It's been a pretty great year for the model, who was honoured at the Glamour Women of the Year awards for her work as a body positive activist, as well as becoming the first plus size woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated.
The super model worked with the toy company to create the relatable doll, after disclosing in an interview earlier this year that she was proud of Mattel for producing more size-inclusive Barbie dolls.
"She had to have her thighs touch. No ands, ifs or buts about it. And I asked for cellulite but obviously plastic and cellulite don't go hand in hand," she shared with the Hollywood Reporter.
"It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible. The thighs touching was one way to show young girls that it is OK for your thighs to touch, despite society saying that a 'thigh gap' is more beautiful."
Mattel is is not currently planning on selling the Ashley doll, but previously the company received such a positive response to its Sheroes, a line of Barbies who represent strong women, that they inevitably produced them after initially not intending to.
For her Barbie outfit, the model chose to exactly replicate one of her New York Fashion Week looks, a sparkly bodycon dress paired with a Sonia Rykiel patched denim jacket, and spiky stiletto Pierre Hardy boots.
"Would I have looked at my body differently if I were playing with Barbies that looked like me? Would I have accepted my thighs and my round arms and my round stomach a little bit more? Probably."
"I think it's absolutely incredible that an iconic image in the fashion world, like Barbie, is keeping up with the times and following along with body diversity in such a big way," she finished.
Ashley Graham gets her own Barbie and I couldn't be happier. Finally a Barbie that represents a different kind of woman.
—Jayleen (@Jayleen_620) November 15, 2016
The new doll is receiving a warm response, with Twitter users celebrating Mattel's move to further embrace body positivity.
"I love the Ashley Graham Barbie doll! Finally a Barbie with curves! Thank you @theashleygraham for proving that beauty is more than 'skinny'" tweeted one fan.
Fingers crossed that Mattel decides to produce the doll, and just in time for Christmas!
