First ever Barbie doll with Down’s Syndrome unveiled

Apr 26 2023

Mattel have just unveiled the first ever Barbie doll with Down’s syndrome, as part of their Barbie Fashionistas line.

This particular line is specifically designed to represent diversity, challenge beauty standards around disabilities and support children in how they view themselves.

For this newest doll, Mattel claimed to have worked very closely with the National Down’s Syndrome Society to get the correct representations of the features.

President and CEO of the NDSS Kandi Pickard expressed how much this means to the community which, for the first time, has a Barbie doll that represents them and their struggles.

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Mattel went to a lot of effort to properly provide accuracy by including, among other things, a palm with a single line – something often associated with Down’s syndrome – and a pink ankle foot orthotics to support feet and ankles.

Meanwhile, the doll also wears a necklace with three upward chevrons, which is a symbol that unites the Down syndrome community and representes the three copies of the 21st chromosome.

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This designer ‘brown paper bag’ costs over €1,700

Apr 25 2023

As we continue to dive into the ever-expanding world of 21st century fashion, luxury brands seem to be one-upping each other with absurd clothes & accessories… and Bottega Veneta are next.

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From palm-sized Jacquemus handbags to Ikea-inspired Balenciaga tote bags costing just under €2,000, the obvious next step was a brown paper-bag-inspired luxury bag… with a $1,900 (€1,700) price tag.

Thankfully, the bag is actually made of plush leather rather than brown paper, but the 4-digit mark-up is still questionable. Under the guidance Bottega Veneta creative director Matthieu Blazy (also former Raf Simons deputy and Maison Margiela head designer), the brown bag is testament to the brand’s dedication to artisanal style and humble nature.

While the bag may turn the heads of most casual viewers, the brown bag definitely set the internet on fire, and if it’s a sign of what’s to come in the fashion world, we’re excited to see where it’s going.

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65 year old with grievous injuries after being hit by car in Sliema

Apr 25 2023

Police were informed today at around 1030hrs that an incident had taken place in Triq il-Kulleġġ l-Antik, a corner away from Triq it-Torri, Sliema.

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a 65 year old woman resident of Gżira had been struck by an Isuzu Elf driven by a 33 year old man resident of Birkirkara.

The victim was given preliminary medical aid on site and then transported to Mater Dei Hospital. She was later certified as having stuffed grievous injuries.

Police are still investigating the case.

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Bernice Cassar’s accused killer refused bail by court

Apr 25 2023

Roderick Cassar, the man accused of murdering his wife Bernice last year, has had his request for bail turned down by a court on Tuesday.

It was revealed that Cassar threatened one of the witnesses that he would pay them all back, with Attorney General’s Office lawyer Angele Vella saying that Cassar was under a protection order in favour of his wife when the murder took place.

Making reference to Cassar’s refusal to turn himself in after the shooting, the prosecution believed that the accused would not obey court orders if granted bail.

Vella said that Cassar is incapable of obeying any order or the police, with the court turning down the request on grounds that it was not yet satisfied at this stage.

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