MATTEL is changing the game and they literally have us over here trying to justify how we are going to collect Barbies again while in our 30’s.
Yesterday the news of Barbie getting a make over was everywhere and the pictures were to die for. For the first time, young girls and doll collectora alike will have 4 body types, 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 different hairstyles including naturally curly hair and a ton of the trends and accessories to choose from.
According to the MATTEL shop website
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. Here’s a look at why we did this, and the team that made it possible. #TheDollEvolves
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. First up, The 2016 Barbie® Fashionistas™ Doll and Spy Squad collections:
In addition to that, one of my personal favorite changes are the new career oriented dolls for instance the Game Developer Career of the Year and President and Vice President.
Not everyone is happy about the changes though, TIME magazine has Barbie on its next cover and they did a very poignant piece they kept referring to Barbie as having an ““identity crisis” and mentioned the falling sales in a market that now offers girls unrealistic ideas about popularity and generational curses.”
We all know that Barbie still sells millions but you and I really know that there was a clear diversity issue and with that I agree with the ‘identity crisis’ bit. Kirstie Alley on the other hand wasnt here for it. She tweeted yesterday her disdain for the whole thing.
Come on Kirstie, do we really need to bring back 1965? Things have changed, our girls have changed and we are happy that companies like MATTEL are looking for ways of celebrating the changes and the differences between us. Good Job MATTEL, good job!
I love this! And for someone like me who has two nieces and I never bought them a barbie (even though I played with them as child) because they didn’t have much diversity and I wasn’t down for that. These new dolls will make me consider buying them each one, especially since I see one doll that resembles my older niece. I am here for the change!