Mattel creates an Ashley Graham Barbie doll with no thigh gap

Body activist and curvy model Ashley Graham posted on Instagram her very own Barbie with "thighs touching, round hips, arms and tummy."

 

Come on @Barbie, let's go party!!! ????Thank you to my new and incredible @Mattel family for this honor! #beautybeyondsize #barbie #curvybarbie

A video posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on

Nov 14, 2016 at 4:48pm PST

What inspired Mattel to make an Ashley Graham Barbie doll?

Last January, Mattel released new dolls with different body types: petite, tall and curvy, with seven new skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles.

Earlier this year, Graham told Access Hollywood she was moved by the doll maker's new body positivity message, and the interview reached the company.

According to Glamour, Graham chose to refashion one of her "post-New York Fashion Week looks" on the Barbie doll. It wears a dazzling black body-con dress  paired with a cropped denim jacket and Pierre Hardy boots.

 

Thighs touching, round hips, arms and tummy!! Thank you @Mattel and @Barbie for immortalizing me into plastic! ???????????? #beautybeyondsize

A photo posted by A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on

Nov 15, 2016 at 7:50am PST

In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Graham said she specifically requested that her doll not have a "thigh gap."

"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,"Graham said.

"It was important that the Barbie resembled me as much as possible. The thighs touching was one way to show young girls that it's OK for your thighs to touch, despite society saying that a 'thigh gap' is more beautiful."

Watch this video from Glamour to see the 28-year-old's visit to Mattel's design center to personalize her Barbie.

— Jannielyn Ann Bigtas/BM, GMA News