However, that is all about to change with the new 2016 Barbie Fashionistas line, which includes 7 skin tones, 18 eye colors, 18 hairstyles, and 3 new body types.
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While many think it’s overdue for Mattel to manufacture Barbies of varying body types, at least one actress isn’t happy about the doll’s recently announced transformation. Barbie will also be more diverse, coming in seven skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles.
Naturally there are critics and in some ways, I too worry that the message the toy company is sending girls isn’t that they should celebrate their own body type; its that body type is all that defines women. Past year some skin tones were added and Barbie’s foot was made flexible for the first time, allowing her to kick off her heels and wear flats.
And now Barbie is available in three new different body shapes – curvy, tall and petite.
As the years went on, many started to worry about the message the famous doll’s body was sending to young girls.
The new dolls can be seen online at Barbie.com and are available for pre-order starting today.
These girls ended up wanting a thinner body than did girls not exposed to the doll.
The new looks comes just after Mattel launched a “Hello Barbie” doll previous year, which uses WiFi and voice recognition technology so kids can actually hold conversations with the toy.
“We are excited to literally be changing the face of the brand”, added Mazzocco. Mattel has yet to reveal when retailers will carry the coveted toys in stores, but the new dolls will make their official debut at New York Toy Fair from February 13-16.
It’s one of the world’s most iconic dolls – but for years, her name has come to be an nearly shorthand for an unrealistic beauty ideal.
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An Instagram user wrote: “As a little girl I ALWAYS wanted to look like Barbie, my parents showered me with love and told me I was attractive but my beauty didn’t reflect my beloved Barbie’s”.
