Barbie, the world’s most famous doll, has a new body. In fact, she has three new bodies – petite, tall, and curvy.
Some 57 years after the impossibly busty and narrow-waisted blue-eyed Barbie doll was first introduced, California-based toy maker Mattel released yesterday the new models, which it says better reflect a changing world.
Parents and feminists have long criticised Barbie’s original shape as setting an unrealistic body image for girls, despite modifications over the years.
The new dolls have seven skin tones, 22 eye colours, and 24 hairstyles.
They are available for order yesterday on website shop.mattel.com for now.
“We are excited to literally be changing the face of the brand,” Evelyn Mazzocco, senior vice-president and global general manager of the Barbie brand, said in a statement. “These new dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them – the variety in body type, skin tones and style allows girls to find a doll that speaks to them.”
“We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty,” she said.
The new curvy Barbie has a bigger bust, behind, thicker thighs and a protruding tummy.
She landed on the cover of Time magazine yesterday with the headline “Now can we stop talking about my body?”
The classic Barbie doll, which was launched in 1959 as a doe-eyed teen in a zebra-striped swimsuit, will remain as part of the Mattel line.
The launch of the new range follows two years of declining sales of Barbie dolls around the world as girls increasingly turn to other dolls, electronic toys and tablets.