American fashion doll, Barbie has introduced a new range of dolls that recognises and represents people living with disabilities.
According to Mattel, the toy company that manufactures Barbie, the Barbie collection will soon debut a doll in a wheelchair, a doll with a prosthetic leg and a doll with textured, braided hair as part of its Barbie Fashionistas line.
This was made known in a news release with Mattel saying the company intends to expand its doll collection to broaden the definition of beautiful.
The statement reads,
“As a brand, we can elevate the conversation around physical disabilities by including them into our fashion doll line to further showcase a multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion.
The upcoming doll with a wheelchair will have an articulated body so she can easily sit in the chair, but other dolls within the Made to Move line can also be used with the wheelchair. The doll, wheelchair, and compatible DreamHouse ramp will sell for about $19.99.
Other Fashionista dolls sell for $9.99, including the doll with the removable prosthetic limb.”
The upcoming release of dolls will include dolls with braided hair texture and new body types including a smaller bust, less defined waist and more defined arms.
It would be recalled that the iconic doll recently turned 60. The iconic doll has evolved to keep up with the times and despite fierce competition in the toy industry, 58 million Barbies are sold each year in more than 150 countries.
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