You may not know this, but Barbie creator Ruth Handler based on ‘Bild Lilli’, a German cartoon character who represented the new era of women in the country post-WWII. Where once women had been seen as little more than objects, Lilli was proud, confident, and courageous, eagerly discussing any topic from sex to politics. She was a businesswoman, and a bombshell who wasn’t afraid to use men who attempted to use her in order to achieve her goals.
The doll that followed the comic was marketed for adults, and featured a rather pronounced thigh gap. Perhaps that’s why early critics of Barbie denounced Lilli as a prostitute, and claimed her as one of the first examples of why Barbie should be taken off the shelves.
Either way, the argument was clear, and Barbie has faced criticism since day one.
It’s only over the last five years that Barbie’s manufacturer, Mattel, have found reason to address public concern in any real way. Between 2012 and 2014, sales of the doll dropped 20%, Mattel’s CEO was removed, and the debate over body image intensified. Something needed to change.
So it was that, in early 2016, Mattel launched a range of Barbies with three new body types: tall, curvy, and petite. It comes a year after the company announced a variation of seven skin tones and hairstyles would soon be available. Said CEO Richard Dickson, “Her ability to evolve and grow with the times, while staying true to her spirit, is central to why Barbie is the number one fashion doll in the world.”
The move was a long time coming. And now that it’s here, the question is being asked whether it’s enough.
After all, Tall Barbie is only tall when compared to regular Barbie. The only discernible difference is the accessories that parents will have to buy. That would certainly help boost sales, if nothing else.
Bustle have echoed the same concerns. Children are identifying and accepting who they are at an unprecedentedly young age, and toy manufacturers have done little to keep up with this shift so far.
That said, the move is worthy of acknowledgement. Barbie’s biggest competitors, such as the Disney princesses and Monster High range, are still very traditional. It’s lead to the release of dolls like Lammily, but it was always up to Barbie to herald the change.
Barbie was once a feminist icon. She could be anything she wanted to be, but the problem was that she wasn’t everything children wanted her to be. Hopefully this development is the first of many to a happy, healthier, more inclusive state of play for kids everywhere.
What do you think of the change? Was it enough? Or perhaps you think it was unnecessary? Let us know in the comments.