Naomi Osaka, launches her own line of Barbie Dolls

Tennis participant Naomi Osaka now has her personal line of Barbie dolls. The 23-year-old world No. 2 tennis participant, who has used her place to name consideration to problems with police violence and racial inequality, grew to become part of Mattel Inc’s push to make its iconic toy line extra various with dolls primarily based on completely different function fashions and professions. “It’s such an honor to be part of the Barbie Function Mannequin sequence, and to remind younger women that they will make a distinction on the earth. I need younger women all over the place to really feel empowered to dream massive,” Naomi Osaka, who grew up idolizing 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, mentioned in a press release

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Mattel’s tie-up with Japan’s Naomi Osaka is the newest instance of manufacturers changing into extra snug with taking a stand on social points and banking on partnerships with feminine athletes to tug in new prospects.

In April, Hole Inc’s Athleta model signed four-time Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles for a brand new attire partnership, with a give attention to variety and inclusion.

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Mattel additionally has Barbie dolls modeled on U.S. soccer participant Alex Morgan and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

“Barbie is dedicated to celebrating real-life function fashions… outstanding girls who’re breaking boundaries and provoking the subsequent era,” Mattel mentioned in a press release, asserting the Naomi Osaka doll that’s sporting a Nike tennis outfit and a racket.

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Naomi Osaka, who didn’t compete within the Wimbledon championships for private causes, following her withdrawal from the French Open for a psychological well being break, will probably be competing within the Tokyo Olympics later this month.