Barbie dolls celebrate diversity

The blonde and skinny Barbie dolls, which were once criticised for promoting a narrow, unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful, have undergone change as the brand adopts a more progressive approach, unveiling dolls with an array of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes and facial structures.

There are Barbies with less defined waists, varying bust sizes and sculpted arms. The new Barbie dolls have prosthetic limbs, alopecia, the skin condition vitiligo and no hair.

The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line are the company’s latest nod to making sure its dolls reflect more of society’s diversity.

While a doll with a prosthetic limb debuted last year, this year’s version will have a darker complexion. Another new addition has no hair. And even Ken has gotten an updated look, sporting long locks instead of his signature, short, sculpted coif.

“We’ve been committed to increasing diversity in our line and showcasing all the different types of beauty that exist … making the line more accessible,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

In 2019, over half of all Barbie dolls were diverse. And some of the newer Fashionistas have been inspired by customers. “Our wheelchair Barbie and our doll with vitiligo were literally fan requests,” says McKnight.

Shoppers have welcomed the inclusiveness. Barbie’s top seller throughout 2019 was a curvy black doll with an Afro. And among the 10 top-selling Fashionistas last year, seven were diverse, including the doll that uses a wheelchair.

This year’s Fashionistas line will roll out in two phases. The new Ken doll and Barbie with vitiligo are on sale now, while the new doll with a prosthetic leg and the Barbie with no hair will become available starting in June.