Watch: “It’s so fierce!” – Barbie ad features young boy

An advert for a new Barbie doll has gone viral after challenging gender stereotypes and showing that boys can and do play with dolls.

The advert for Moschino Barbie, a collaboration between toymaker Mattel and Italian fashion label Moschino, debuted at the end of last month and has since been viewed almost two and half million times.

In the video, the Barbie and her oh-so-stylish accessories are promoted by three enthusiastic children, including an adorable young boy.

“Moschino Barbie. It’s so fierce!” he proudly proclaims, finishing off the ad with a wink.

In a statement to the BBC, Mattel confirmed that the ad was genuine, although it described it as a “fauxmercial” that was conceived by Moschino’s Creative Director, Jeremy Scott.

“This video parodies iconic Barbie commercials from the 1980s starring a young Jeremy Scott look alike. The video celebrates how boys and girls alike play with Barbie – it’s all about self-expression, fashion, imagination and storytelling,” the company said.

“When I dreamt up the concept for the Moschino Barbie fauxmercial, I felt it was natural to have a little boy representing for all the little boys like myself who played with Barbies growing up,” commented Scott. “Barbie was more than a toy, she was a muse for me.”

The ad has not yet been posted on Barbie’s YouTube page but has on Moschino’s account. The “fauxmercial” tag appears to be a “safe” way for the company to avoid criticism from conservative groups and customers.

The Moschino Barbie reportedly sold out within a day of its release.

Watch the ad below.