Mattel, the company behind the world-famous Barbie dolls, has released new versions of the toy in its bit to boost diversity, CNN reported.
The company has released its new Fashionistas Line, which includes Barbie dolls with Vitiligo (a disease that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment), those with prosthetic legs, dolls in a wheelchair, Barbie dolls with no hair or with braided hair, as well as those with realistic body types (small bus and waist, as well as defined arms).
In its statement, Mattel said that they want to promote “a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion” through its newly launched Barbie dolls, adding that “if a girl is experiencing hair loss for any reason, she can see herself reflected in the line.”
The one with Vitiligo, Mattel said, is so far the most liked doll among their new Barbie line.
The doll with a prosthetic limb, meanwhile, was created by Jordan Reeves, a disability activist who was born without a left forearm.
The Barbie doll in wheelchairs, Mattel noted, was the bestselling toy in the collection in UK to date.
Mattel first ventured into creating diverse Barbie dolls back in 2015, wherein it first introduced the doll wearing a hijab.
The Barbie dolls were previously criticized for promoting unrealistic body and beauty standards.
