One Little Boy and Barbie Just Shattered Gender Stereotypes
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Toy manufacturer Mattel just shattered some big time gender stereotypes by featuring a boy in their latest Moschino Barbie commercial, CBS reports.
YouTube/MoschinoOfficial - youtube.com
The ad for the limited edition Barbie (decked out in items from the Italian fashion house) marks the first time that a boy has appeared in any commercial or campaign for Barbie.
Jeremy Scott, creative director of Moschino, developed the concept for the commercial. He explained the ad's significance in an emailed statement to CBS.
"When I dreamed up the concept for the Moschino Barbie fauxmercial, I felt it was natural to have a little boy represented for all the little boys like myself who played with Barbies growing up," Scott said in the statement. "Barbie was more than a toy—she was a Muse!"
Related: What Happened When This Kid Asked For An "American Boy" Doll
Also accompanying the boy in the commercial is a young cast of racially diverse girls.
YouTube/MoschinoOfficial - youtube.com
Related: This Boy Asked His Dad For a Mermaid Doll And His Response Was Amazing
The unexpected ad may be just what Mattel needs. According to Forbes, sales for the Barbie doll have decreased over the last four years, down 16 percent in 2014. Even the American Girl doll, one of Mattel's best sellers, has taken a hit; sales for the iconic doll were down two percent in the third quarter of 2015.
And beyond potentially boosting sales, the commercial is breaking down gender stereotypes, acknowledging the reality that, yes, Barbie dolls can be for boys and girls—a reality Mikki Willis's son Azai proved in a video that went viral earlier this year. Mattel isn't the only large brand moving towards gender inclusiveness. Earlier this year, Target removed gender specific signage from its stores, after facing strong criticism.
And the commercial is already sparking conversation. Social media celebrity Perez Hilton applauded the commercial:
Others echoed Hilton's sentiment:
The $150 Moschino doll sold out within an hour of its release on November 9 but can now be found on eBay, Forbes reports.
See the commercial here:
