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“Barbie’s Got A New Body”: Mattel Releases New Barbie Collection All About Diversity

Barbie
Left: Photograph by Kenji Aoki for TIME // Right: Image – Mattel

Mattel introduced its new Barbie collection today (1/28) in a big way and we are in awe.

The well-known doll graces the cover of Time Magazine this week, asking the question “Now can we stop talking about my body?” with a cover story within the issue talking to where her evolution over the last 57 years has led her to now.

Read moreBarbie Gets A ‘Plus Size’ Makeover And Sparks Debate On Body Image

plus size barbie main image
Plus-Size-Modeling.com caused an uproar & raised valid questions about Barbie’s body when creating their own plus size update on the doll via imagery.

In a world where body image has become a topic that’s front and center and where Barbie’s body has been criticized for a long time, Mattel has finally answered that call. The company has created a collection with Barbie shown in different skin tones, body shapes, heights and more.

Lammily 1
Researcher and illustrator Nickolay Lamm created Lammily in 2014 to give Barbie some diversity competition. Read more here.

Time Magazine calls this the “biggest change in Barbie’s 57-year history” and we say to that… It’s about time! Barbie’s got a new body!

Barbie revolution 2016 image

She actually has three new bodies: petite, tall and curvy. Using the hashtag #TheDollEvolves, Mattel says on their site:

“Girls everywhere now have infinitely more ways to play out their stories and spark their imaginations through Barbie. Along with more overall diversity, we proudly add three new body types to our line.”

They go on to say:

“This is just the beginning. From offering products that feature more empowering and imaginative roles to partnering with best in class role models, we believe in girls and their limitless potential. #YouCanBeAnything”

They have four collections planned to launch this year with two of them launching now: The Fashionistas line and The Spy Squad. The remaining two collections, “Game Developer/Career of the Year” line and the “President and Vice President” line will be launching in Summer 2016.

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Here’s a look at the Curvy dolls in the new Fashionistas line:

curvy barbie image

According to Time:

“They’ll all be called Barbie, but it’s the curvy one—with meat on her thighs and a protruding tummy and behind—that marks the most startling change to the most infamous body in the world.”

It took Mattel’s design team two years to create these new dolls.  So this is something that Mattel has been planning for a long time. And we hope this is just the beginning.

You can purchase the new Barbie dolls online, starting today (1/28) here.

You read the Time Magazine cover story about Barbie here.

What do you think of the new Barbie? Will you be buying one or more? Please leave us a comment below and let us know.