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Barbie adds 'curvy' body type to new doll line

<p>The makers of Barbie are responding to cries for the iconic dolls to show more diversity.</p><p><a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/news/detail/140.html" target="_blank">Mattel&#39;s new 2016 Fashionista dolls</a>&nbsp;now come in four body types. In addition to the original build, dolls will also be available in tall, curvy and petite. They also have new face shapes and skin tones.</p><p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/news/detail/140.html" target="_blank">In 2015</a>, the company revealed a less drastic expansion by introducing dolls with more skin tones and flat feet. (Video via&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a84UE6kbFoE" target="_blank">Mattel</a>)</p><p>&quot;It&#39;s important for Barbies to look different, you know, like the real people in the world,&quot; a girl said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPETP7-UfuI" target="_blank">Mattel</a>&nbsp;video.</p><p>Barbie is contentious, and opinions of the doll have varied. Mattel says this latest revision is meant to be &quot;<a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/news/detail/140.html" target="_blank">more reflective of the world [girls] see today.</a>&quot;</p><p><a href="http://time.com/barbie-new-body-cover-story/?xid=newsletter-brief" target="_blank">Mattel executives told Time</a>&nbsp;Barbie&#39;s evolution was inspired by &quot;softness in sales&quot; and feedback from moms particularly millennial moms who said Barbie was a poor role model and had an unrealistic body type.</p><p>Not all the clothes will fit perfectly across all dolls now, but Mattel says the move represents &quot;<a href="http://time.com/barbie-new-body-cover-story/?xid=newsletter-brief" target="_blank">progress, not perfection.</a>&quot;</p><p>The dolls are scheduled to debut in stores in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.barbiemedia.com/news/detail/140.html" target="_blank">spring 2016</a>.</p>
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"Curvy" Barbie dolls are coming to store shelves this spring.

The iconic toy brand is introducing a new line of dolls that features three new body types: curvy, petite and tall, in addition to Barbie's original dimensions. The new Barbie Fashionistas line will also include seven different skin tones.

The announcement of the new line came Thursday from Barbie's parent company Mattel.

"We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty," said Evelyn Mazzocco, senior vice president of Barbie, in a statement.

The new dolls are now available to order online and are expected to hit stores this spring.

Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.

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