Barbie: New Makeover For Inclusiveness

Barbie, has been given a makeover to look more like a range of ‘normal’ sized women.

The long loved doll will now be available in three new body-types — tall, petite and curvy.

The best-selling doll’s manufacturer Mattel announced the new looks available in the Barbie range, ending a 56-year-old tradition of Barbie being one ‘perfect’ size and look.

The new dolls join Barbie’s Fashionista line, which will now feature four body-types. Seven skin tones, 22 eye colours and 24 hairstyles will also feature in the range.

“Barbie reflects the world girls see around them,” Mattel president and CEO Richard Dickson said in a statement. “Her ability to evolve and grow with the times, while staying true to her spirit, is central to why Barbie is the number one fashion doll in the world.”

Senior vice-president and global general manager of the Barbie brand, Evelyn Mazzocco, added:”We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty.”

Whilst new Barbie dolls appear to be a welcome change, one researcher has questioned their impact on changing attitudes towards body image.

“It’s a great thing what Barbie has done. Promoting diversity — that’s great,” said Dr Gemma Tatangelo, from Australian Catholic University told the ABC in a recent interview. “But in terms of having an impact on kids’ perceptions of body image, it’s hard to say since there are so many other factors at play.”

Dr Tatangelo acknowledged that the changes in Barbie’s appearance are a positive change, there are other contextual factors that can affect a children’s body image.

“If a parent is too appearance-focused or a child is being bullied by a friend based on their appearance, these are some of the issues that affect children’s body image,” Dr Tatangelo said. “It is hard to change society’s perceptions. [Instead] we need to equip kids with tools to address body image by developing resilience, building self-esteem and encouraging them to accept diversity in appearance.”

The new Barbie looks should help Mattel boost declining sales of the doll, which have seen sales down for three straight years and by 16 per cent in the first half of 2015.

The “more inclusive” looking dolls have been praised online with people taking to Twitter to commend Mattel:

Image source: Instagram

22 Comments

- - Frankiielot said
  - 28 Jul 2023
    8:14 pm
Had no idea there were 22 different coloured eyes?!
But good to see that they have different ones now as I remember most of them only being blonde or brunette back in the day.

- - serotonin said
  - 03 Mar 2016
    8:21 pm
Wow, I would never have thought this would happen! How far we have come, this is brilliant. Very exciting, can’t wait to see these in stores!

- - coastalkaryn said
  - 19 Feb 2016
    5:41 pm
Yay – I would have loved my barbies to all look this cool

- - Nas01 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    8:56 pm
About time Barbie got a make over. At least she’s more relatable and realistic.

- - mom94125 said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    8:44 pm
that sounds cool. but i didn’t have a complex because of barbie, while growing up

- - welshmummy said
  - 01 Feb 2016
    8:30 am
Maybe I’m a cynic but I think its just another way for them to make money. And is it really Barbie’s fault that kids have bad body image? It maybe a good idea but I’ll wait and see.

- - mom103920 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    10:27 pm
That is a fantastic idea Lori-Anne! It is wonderful to see this manufacturer going strong after all this time, and great to see them embracing change. All the better to see them supporting such an important cause too.

- - tracey1901 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    12:39 pm
Yayyyy this is absolutely awesome! About time Mattel! Great work, they all look gorgeous!

- - Mummytoabeautifulprincess said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    12:19 pm
ABOUT TIME!!! I think this is a fantastic idea!

- - mum4107 said
  - 31 Jan 2016
    5:30 am
Better late than never. This change should have happened years ago

- - mom74640 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    9:36 pm
Lke gf

- - cherz said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    8:46 pm
Long time coming but very welcome indeed.

- - rachelvk said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    7:56 pm
Love that Barbie has finally had a makeover and is embracing diversity!

- - mom160421 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    3:46 pm
My first thought was “Just another way to sell more dolls. Good marketing move.” Still, it’s a good move.

- - BellaB said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    2:26 pm
Not a bad thing, but I’m not sure how big a difference it will make.

- - mom90758 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    2:21 pm
What a wonderful idea. I think it was about time!!

- - mom165081 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    11:50 am
I really like this concept. They are such a popular toy and with good resin. Great initiative.

- - june11 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    9:37 am
Commonsense prevails at last. I wish they would include interchangeable outfits with them too. I recently was told by a youngster “Barbie wears the same clothes all the time, why can’t I?” We have a few nude Barbie Dolls that are quite a few years old. I don’t know where the clothes disappeared to. Our eldest daughter loved undressing dolls but couldn’t re-dress them. I managed to re-dress them…….. if I found the clothes.

- - Lori-Anne said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    7:31 am
I am in favour of Mattels move to make and promote these Barbies… maybe they could also do some limited addition Barbies such as a Barbie with no hair representing someone going through cancer treatment and donate an amount from each sale to cancer research.
- cherz replied
  
  30 Jan 2016 , 8:43 pm
  What a wonderful idea Lori-Anne, you are really onto something good with this. 🙂
  - mom93821 replied
    
    31 Jan 2016 , 9:26 am
    
    I love this idea too. There are companies that produce toys/dolls with disabilities which is wonderful. There are dolls in wheelchairs and dolls with amputations. I will see if I can find the article and photo. They have been a big hit with a wide range of children.
- - mom93821 said
  - 30 Jan 2016
    7:16 am
Good to see inclusiveness in toys. No doubt with Barbie marketing these products will sell like hotcakes!