Crayola is embracing inclusivity today by launching a new 24-pack of crayons that represent the wide diversity of skin tones around the wo...
Crayola is embracing inclusivity today by launching a new 24-pack of crayons that represent the wide diversity of skin tones around the world.
The Colors of the World pack includes 24 newly-formulated crayons that represent 40 global skin tones, ensuring that every child can draw him or herself accurately.
Crayola even enlisted a skin tone extra for the project, working with with MAC Chief Chemist and Cover FX co-founder Victor Casale on the project.
Rainbow: Crayola's new Colors of the World pack includes 24 newly-formulated crayons that represent 40 global skin tones
Inclusivity pack: Pre-sale of the box begins today, and the crayons go on sale in July
The expert: Crayola worked with MAC Chief Chemist and Cover FX co-founder Victor Casale on the project. Casale discussed the process with DailyMail.com
The announcement was made today in honor of the United Nations' World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, with pre-sale beginning today for a July release.
The new colors don't just span from light to dark: They also take into account undertones, offering up a wide range of shades for kids to choose from.
Undertones include Rose, Almond, and Golden, while gradients range from Extra Light to Deepest — giving the crayons names likes 'light medium rose,' 'very light almond,' 'extra deep golden,' 'deep rose,' and 'deepest almond.'
What's more, the color names are printed on the crayons in English, Spanish, and French.
Casale, who has over 30 years of experience creating diverse foundation colors, worked with Crayola teams for three months on the project, translating his makeup color expertise to crayons.
'[In MAC and Cover FX makeup], the colors are all very precise and very close to each other,' he told DailyMail.com.
Right on time! The announcement was made today in honor of the United Nations' World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
All bases covered! Undertones include Rose, Almond, and Golden, while colors range from Extra Light to Deepest
'We tested and validated the colors on shade models — each shade was tested on real people of that shade. When you apply a complexion product on your face, and you compare it to your skin — side by side — you have to be very precise.
'When translating this knowledge and experience to support the Colors of the World initiative, I felt it would be difficult for a child to notice the differences on paper,' he explained.
Instead, he combined two very close complexion shades into one crayon shade 'to achieve a full representation of all-inclusive shades into a palette of 24'.
'This is actually a process many beauty brands follow when they have to pare down their complexion assortment to fit into smaller sized distribution channels,' he said. 'The key is that every person can identify with a shade in the Colors of the World box. I am certain of that!'
Casale knows first-hand the importance of finding your own skin tone in the box.
'As a kid, I had to use pink and brown crayons to try to get my color; it was almost impossible to do,' he told Good Morning America.
Making sure that that kids today feel represented when they're coloring is important, he went on, just as it is important for people to find makeup that matches their complexion.
'Inclusivity should be accessible for all ages and a discussion about diversity should be encouraged in order to foster a sense of belonging,' Casale said
'This world continues to become more diverse so it’s important that all industries are continuing to evolve to meet the needs of this new generation,' he told DailyMail.com.
'When children are able to accurately express who they are, they will feel more engaged, valued and included.
'Having this range of global skin tones featured within the Colors of the World crayons gives us the opportunity to create a more confident and accepting generation through art and creativity, and more importantly, a stronger sense of belonging for children starting from a very young age.
In addition to the 24-pack, Crayola will also be releasing a 32-pack of crayons that includes eight shades for eyes and hair.
Crayola's last skin tone-inclusive launch was back in 1992, when the American brand debuted an eight-count Multicultural Crayons pack.
'Multiculturalism is an important issue in early childhood education today because it is important for each child to build a positive sense of self, and to respect the cultural diversity in others,' the brand explained.
No comments