A crowdfunding campaign launched today in a bid to get an 'average-looking' doll to market. Artist Nickolay Lamm, 24, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, created a prototype of a plastic figurine last summer based on government measurements of an average 19-year-old American woman.
Now, in a bid to turn his idea into a reality he is appealing for funds via his website Lammily.com. In less than 24 hours, he has already raised more than $28,000 towards his $95,000 goal.
His aim is to produce 5,000 'Lammily' dolls ready to ship out in November 2014. Each model features average proportions of a typical 19-year-old girl (32-31-33), a light amount of make-up, and bendy joints. If the dolls are a success, he plans to extend the range to 'embrace diversity, from race to body type.'
「芭比娃娃」一直是女孩們最喜愛的玩具之一，但有不少女孩為了擁有芭比夢幻般的身材，減肥減過頭，對身心健康皆有負面的影響。於是美國一名24歲藝術家 Nickolay Lamm 就根據政府公佈19歲女孩的平均身形，製作「現實版芭比娃娃」，並發起募款活動準備量產，藉此宣揚對身材的正確觀念。
Nickolay Lamm 表示，激瘦身材不符合常人標準，備受外界詬病。於是他在網路上發起的募款活動反應熱烈，短短24小時內就籌得超過2.8萬美元。Lamm 計畫籌集9.5萬美元，量產5000個「現實版芭比娃娃」。
- crowdfunding (n.) 網路募款
- in a bid 企圖…
Police are on 'hooligan watch' at Heathrow in a bid to stop violent troublemakers reaching
Germany for the World Cup.
警方在 Heathrow 做＂惡少監控＂，企圖阻止過激的麻煩製造者為了世足杯而抵達德國。
- prototype (n.) 原型；標準
- appeal for 懇求；呼籲
He appealed for mercy . 他乞求憐憫。
- ship out 出貨
In his research, Mr Lamm found that, scaled up to human size, Barbie dolls would have unrealistic measurements of 36-18-33, compared with the typical 19-year-old girl's 32-31-33. Thanks to her ultra-slender measurements, it has been estimated that, if she were to exist as a human, Barbie would weigh about 110lbs and would have a BMI of 16.24. This would fit the weight criteria for anorexia.
Mr Lamm's hope is to promote a more positive body image to children. 'I wanted to show that average is beautiful. Rather than waiting for change to happen, let's be the change,' he says in a YouTube video for his crowdfunding campaign.
He concludes: '[It's] so that our girls can grow up to become happier, stronger women, truly confident and proud in their own bodies.'
Lamm 表示，如果芭比娃娃放大成真人體態的話，三圍是 36-18-33，體重約110磅(約50公斤)，身體質量指數(BMI)只有16.24，是典型厭食症患者的身形；他根據政府公佈的19歲女子的平均身材 32-31-33，製作現實版的「 Lammily doll」，傳遞「標準就是美」的健康資訊，讓女孩更快樂健康的成長、更加自信，為自己的健康體型感到驕傲。
另外，他所設計的 Lammily doll 穿著也和原來的芭比大不相同，目前市場上大部分的芭比娃娃都穿著公主或時髦的衣服，Lamm 說，「Lammily doll 將穿 GAP、J.Crew 等平價服飾」，他認為設計簡單的日常服裝沒理由不能穿在娃娃身上。
- scale up 按比例增加
We've scaled up production to meet demand. 我們已經擴大了生產以滿足需求。
- anorexia (n.) 厭食症
Mr Lamm has been consulting with Robert Rambeau, former vice president of manufacturing at Mattel, for advice on finding a suitable manufacturer to produce his Lammily line. While the production process has taken months to figure out, Mr Lamm says the biggest challenge will be getting children to go for something new. Attempts at average-sized dolls in the past have not been successful, he says, but he believes that's because the 'average size' message wasn't appealing to kids.
The public appear to be supportive of Mr Lamm's empowering goal. 'Awe this is awesome. [The Lammily doll] looks just like me! Thank you for making me feel beautiful!' one commenter said. And another added: 'Thank God someone finally created an 'average Barbie' ... I love it! I hope by the time I have kids myself Lammily will have taken over the market.'
Lamm 已徵詢美泰兒公司前副總裁 Robert Rambeau 的意見，找到一間合適的製造商生產 Lammily doll。Lamm 說最大的挑戰是讓孩子們接受一項新的事物，畢竟過去現實版芭比一直沒有推行成功，因為一般正常的體態叫不吸引孩子的目光。
但也有不少的網友很支持 Lamm 的理念，有些網友認為 Lammily doll 跟她們長得很像，很感謝 Lamm 讓她們覺得自己很漂亮，也希望未來的孩子能喜歡 Lammily doll 取代芭比娃娃。
- consult with 商議；交換意見
I'm going to consult with my publisher about my forthcoming book.
我將就我即將問加的作品與出版商交換意見。
- go for‥ 對…有好感；傾心於；喜歡
Do you go for rock music? 你喜歡搖滾音樂嗎？
- take over 接管；繼任
Miss Smith is leaving to get married and Miss Jones will betaking over the class.
Smith小姐即將離開去結婚, Jones小姐將來接替這個班。
