Anyone who grew up with Barbie will have fond memories of playing with the toy, but it’s likely that you have also been able to relate to certain criticisms levelled at the doll range in recent years.
Following increased backlash over the unrealistic body image the dolls set for young girls, toy producer Mattel has responded by unveiling a range of ‘realistic’ dolls that represent ‘real women’.
The new range features three new body types including curvy, tall and petite, as well as seven different skin tones.
Unveiling the range today via its social media channels, the official Barbie Twitter account shared a photo of the new dolls, the caption reading: “We proudly add three new body types to our line. Meet the new dolls. #TheDollEvolves.”
We proudly add three new body types to our line. Meet the new dolls. https://t.co/JDeqzI59nX #TheDollEvolves pic.twitter.com/IJVcVhfPkL
— Barbie (@Barbie) January 28, 2016
Tania Missad of Mattel explained the motivation behind the move to The Telegraph, saying: “We were seeing that Millennials are driven by social justice and attracted to brands with purpose and values, and they didn’t see Barbie in this category.”
As you can imagine, the response to the news has been overwhelmingly positive, with Twitter alight with encouraging feedback.
“Thank you for the new body types! Been waiting for this day…I can now be fully proud of my love of Barbs,” wrote one delighted follower.
Meanwhile, others have been tempted to go back to old childhood habits, as one woman illustrated with this tweeted: “Okay, I am 50 years old and I am going to Toys ‘R’ Us TONIGHT to buy Curvy and Tall Barbie.”
What are your thoughts?
