Barbie now curvy, tall and petite

January 28 20:29 2016

The new body types are featured in the brand’s 2016 Fashionistas line that embraces diversity by including seven different skin tones, 22 eye colors and 24 hairstyles.

The new looks comes just after Mattel launched a “Hello Barbie” doll a year ago, which uses WiFi and voice recognition technology so kids can actually hold conversations with the toy.

The original Barbie, with her extremely long legs and busty figure, has long drawn criticism for setting unrealistic body standards for young women.

“We proudly add three new body types to our line“, Mattel announced via Twitter.

In June, Mattel broadened the number of skin tones, eye colors and hair styles available for the dolls.

In October, Mattel reported that worldwide Barbie sales fell 4% in the third quarter of 2015.

This change reflects changing attitudes towards body image, but is also partially due to flailing sales – in 2014, dolls from the Disney movie “Frozen” (namely Elsa dolls) surpassed Barbie for the most in-demand girls’ toy for holiday gifts. The release of this new line of Barbie dolls will be the first time Mattel goes beyond the skinny frame we’re all used to seeing on Barbie.

Barbie’s got a brand new bod. “These new dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them”, she said.

The company hopes more children will be able to relate to the new dolls. In all, 33 dolls will roll out in stages, spokeswoman Michelle Chidoni said. “The first thing I thought when I saw this was now I can buy my daughters a Barbie“, Goldman told ABC News. Fashion Editor Barbie, introduced in 1960, is also confused by the sizes.

Barbie, the best-selling doll of all time, will now come in three distinct body types – tall, petite and curvy – all of which differ from its original incarnation.

Living in a Barbie World

Barbie now curvy, tall and petite
 
 
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