If Barbie was a real woman her proportions would make digestion, walking and standing impossible. This seems strangely at odds with the brand’s recent campaign #youcanbeanything; clearly you can’t be like Barbie, or you would die. So hurrah that after 55 years and continued pressure, Mattel has launched ‘Fashionistas’, a range of dolls available in ‘petite’, ‘curvy’ and ‘tall’. Finally, the message and product are starting to align with modern culture.

In the same week as ‘Fashionistas’, Lego released their first disabled figure. Not an old codger in a wheelchair, but a young man wearing a hoodie and beanie hat. Last year there were more disabled models on the catwalk than ever before, following pressure on designers to be more inclusive. This year Jaden Smith, the 17 year old known for his pushing boundaries in fashion, sparked conversation by modelling for Louis Vuitton’s womenswear. From fronting campaigns to working in-store, this influential industry has a responsibility to embrace diversity and make everyone feel more visible. Embracing individuality needs to be more than a human interest story - it should be a step towards real inclusivity.

It’s been proven that diversity breeds creativity and commercial gain. Off the back of a recent study, the IPA set new goals for agencies to promote gender and ethnic diversity particularly within leadership positions. The importance of having role-models we can relate to should never be underestimated. It’s time for all companies to re-evaluate the makeup of staff, products and marketing. We’re an ethnically, sexually and gender diverse nation. As such there’s a responsibility for brands to make everyone feel as though they’re an empowered and visible part of society.

Read on for examples…