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Barbie just became less problematic, more representative

Barbie just became less problematic, more representative

Barbie's 60th Anniversary Edition by Mowalola

One of the most popular complaints surrounding Barbie as a company is its lack of inclusivity. With her blonde hair and her tall, slim figure accompanied with her classic You can do anything! slogan, Young Barbara drives a message that hits a very singular audience.

Last week, the Barbie manufacturers announced another launch of a diverse update to its Fashionistas collection, presenting a more “multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion.”

These launches follow adaptations last year that included dolls with a prosthetic leg and one in a wheelchair, which has been expanded to include another with a prosthetic limb.

Additionally including a doll with vilitigo, which has already become their most liked post, and one with alopecia to allow young girls who may be experiencing hair loss to “see herself reflected.”

Last year saw introductions that were more representational of ethnic demographics –textured hair, for example–and varying body sizes that debunks the myth of the perfect body. A theme that was continued throughout their 60th Anniversary Dolls.

These seven additional dolls adds up to a head count of over 170 diverse dolls in the Fashionistas line that challenges the brand’s representation of having a pro-white, models only, Stepford wife aesthetic.

With the best-selling doll in 2019 being a curvy, Black doll with an afro, maybe this is signalling of an incoming shift in culture. Moving away from a singular beauty aesthetic and towards advocating for self-love, self-empowerment and self-acceptance at a young age.

Text Kamara Hakeem-Oyawoye
Cover Image @mowalola
Image courtesy of Mattel
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