Barbie has been given her best makeover yet: kids can now play with dolls who have different body shapes – tall, curvy or petite, just like REAL women
At 57 years old, Barbie is having the biggest makeover of her life. We’ve seen her go from teen model to executive, astronaut and game developer – and from tall, blue-eyed blonde to representing different ethnicities, but Mattel Inc is making the most meaningful change yet by releasing a Barbie dolls with different body shapes: curvy, petite and tall.
“We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty,” says Evelyn Mazzocco, a Mattel senior vice president and head of the Barbie brand in a statement to the press.
Barbie has been Mattell’s best-selling product since her launch in 1959, but sales have slumped as her aesthetic fell out of touch with families and kids. Despite her forays into different careers and the recent introduction of different skin tones, facial structures (and even a flat foot!), Barbie’s whippet-thin frame and extreme body proportions have remained largely unchanged – leading to continued criticism that she conveys a poor body image to girls.
Mattel has indicated that it will be focusing on a broader selection of dolls, with different body shapes and ethnicities that children can relate to – which will be welcome in multicultural Singapore.
Hallelujah for more diversity in the toy aisle.
The new petite, tall and curvy Barbies are now available via www.shop.mattel.com. Will you welcome Barbie back to the toy chest?