Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Barbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin Tones
User submission
6.9K
116.9K

Barbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin Tones

Barbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No HairBarbie Expands Its Doll Line By Making It More DiverseBarbie Introduces Their Barbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin TonesBarbie Draws Attention To Its New Dolls Which Have Vitiligo, Prosthetic Limbs, Wheelchairs, And No HairBarbie Is About To Introduce A More Diverse Line That Includes Dolls With Prosthetics, Vitiligo, And No HairPeople Are Happy To See Barbie Becoming Diversified With Vitiligo, No Hair, And Disabled Models Coming OutBarbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin TonesBarbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin TonesBarbie Celebrates Diversity By Creating Differently-Abled Dolls With Vitiligo And No Hair That Come In 35 Different Skin Tones
ADVERTISEMENT

While most people probably still imagine Barbie as a tall, white doll with a slim figure and bright blonde hair, she’s not what she used to be. After being one of the most beloved toys for decades, the Barbie doll has evolved to reflect not only what kids see around them, but who they are themselves. To highlight the importance of diversity, Mattel has drastically expanded its Fashionistas line to include dolls of different sizes, colors, and abilities.

More info: barbie.mattel.com | Instagram

Recently, Mattel expanded its diverse Fashionistas line by adding a Barbie doll with Vitiligo

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Recently, the company introduced a brand new doll with Vitiligo.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

After working with dermatologists, the company developed a doll that accurately portrays this condition which causes loss of skin color in blotches.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

To make the representation of different medical conditions even wider, the company also created a doll with no hair.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Over the years, Mattel has been adding new, diverse dolls to its 5-year-old Fashionistas line. Currently, the line features a huge variety of 176 dolls.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

The company now offers dolls in 9 different body types which include curvy, petite, and tall.

The line now features dolls with 9 body types, 35 skin tones, and 94 hairstyles

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Mattel knows how important Barbie’s hair is, so now Barbies rock 94 hairstyles such as rainbow-colored hair, afro, short hair, and many others.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

What’s even more exciting, for the first time ever, Mattel introduced Ken with long hair.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

While barbie dolls were white for a very long time, Mattel has finally diversified its dolls by introducing 35 different skin tones.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Mattel also included differently-abled Barbie dolls

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Differently-abled dolls can also be found in this line.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

Some of the Barbies now have prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

“We are proud that Barbie is the most diverse doll line on the market that continues to evolve to better reflect the world girls see around them,” said Lisa McKnight, senior vice president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

Image credits: barbie.mattel.com

As Mattel continues to grow in diversity, more and more kids around the world can see the real world reflected in their toys.

ADVERTISEMENT

117Kviews

Share on Facebook
Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Read more »

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Read less »
Hidrėlėy

Hidrėlėy

Author, Pro member

Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want.

Andželika

Andželika

Author, Community member

Read more »

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

Read less »

Andželika

Andželika

Author, Community member

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
Brandon Germer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: Barbie was originally based off of an early 1950s German sex doll named Bild Lilli. Mattel has come a long way!

Jim Ellington
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sex doll? Are you serious? The Bild Lilli doll was 12 inches tall and had the same anatomical detail as a Barbie doll. Explain to me how one gets it on with that (well, I can see how a female could, but I'm sure you get my point).

Load More Replies...
Phoenix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! If you can have customizable Chucks, why not Barbies too? I'd make mine to look like me... a 50-year-old Joan Jett wannabe with nerd glasses and cat hair on all my Barbie clothes. Mattel... get on this! :-D

Cold Contagious
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A down syndrome and little person Barbie would be great. There are so many families like this represented on TV now and it would be nice for the children to dolls representative of their own families and friends as well.

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good point on the little person one. Now THAT'S an underrepresented group.

Load More Replies...
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that this is a great idea. So many young ladies developed eating disorders because they thought that they were supposed to be that thin. I think that it is a great idea that Mattel is embracing all bodies and all skin colors. Also can we just discuss how great this is and not insult each other over how Barbies came into existence?

Catlady6000
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do like finding out the history of things. I agree, why insult someone because they may have gotten it wrong?

Load More Replies...
Katinka Min
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God, I would have adored a dark Barbie with an Afro!! But, not white blondes, only, in my childhood.

*MINTYMOONS*
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same but its not to late to get some im collecting them and im wayyy old for dolls XD

Load More Replies...
Logan Scaggs
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn I wish this happened when I was younger. I loved Barbies!

Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for even better results, they could consider having those parts be interchangeable so the kids/parents can mix and match them

Shinomi Chan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh! These look pretty darn good. More diversity, and it's educational for kids who don't know some of the different skin types

Bored Fox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is great. :) I hope they also make a white doll with vitiligo because uneven skin color is problem also to many white people and many people use tons of make-up to hide that. Vitiligo areas also get sun burn easier. Of course vitiligo is more easier to see on dark skinned people so I understand that the dark vitiligo doll is more important to release first. :) Also an albino doll could raise awareness of albinism. :)

Rachel Tucker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree! The vitiligo on my legs makes me look like i am tanned with scars but I'm caucasian none the less. I also have a 'mallen streak' which I get a lot of looks for but it makes me unique. If these dolls were the norm when I was younger I wouldn't have had so many cruel comments, possibly.

Load More Replies...
Holly Ingraham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"First long-haired Ken"? Oh, please. 1998 Harley Davidson Ken and others since then.

Carol Roeder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diversity should be briught into kids toys because God made us all so different to start with. I think it's a wonderful idea and I applaud Mattel for their decision to do this!

Sandra Mason
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"differently-abled" is probably the funniest word I've heard this year. my 1960 Barbie is rolling in her shoe box.

*MINTYMOONS*
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ooo i want more of these (yes im a teenager who collects barbie dolls okay?)

Mari Ng
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I appreciate the intent, but "differently abled" is not considered appropriate terminology. "Person with a disability" or "disabled" are preferred. https://ncdj.org/style-guide/

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait 45 minutes and a new buzzword will take its place. We need to stop that nonsense.

Load More Replies...
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! More option is always good. I'd love to see a Barbie without make-up and with realistic body proportions

Alonso Victoria
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is cool, we have more diversity but less quality, i miss the fully articulated barbies we used to have in the early 2000's. We need the new ones with the features older ones have.

Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never even realized that.... Now that I think about it, all of my sisters dolls were white (I was a tomboy, I didn't own any lol) There weren't many of other colors available.

Viki Banaszak
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want poor Ken to have a realistic body and be able to bend his arms and legs. Come on, It's about time, isn't it?

okpkpkp
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 1959 or 1960 I was fighting with my older sister. I grabbed her Barbie doll, threw it down and stomped on it. It pushed Barbie's boobies in, lol. My sis cried and hit me with a rock she was so mad.

mermaidgirl960
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched the barbie documentary about a month ago (About a few years after it was made and release on hulu) and I'm glad they're getting more and more diverse :)

mermaidgirl960
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I don't know if they already have this but I wish they had a barbie maker online and then you could buy it so you get a barbie that looks like you :3 I have really curly brown hair, glasses, and I'm very small so I would love a barbie like me

SupriyaG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it. Not fond of barbies but I think i am gonna buy all of them.

Artur Niedzielski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah... and still is nothing wrong about anatomy. Arms longer then legs f.e. Rubbish!

Jim Ellington
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Still waiting for my morbidly obese Barbie, Inuit Barbie, Australian Aborigine Barbie, and elephantiasis Barbie.

Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Ah good. I'm totally screwed up because they didn't have a non-anorexic, short dark-haired child barbie. I've always thought I was supposed to be a grown up, blond, long-haired woman when I was a kid.

CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

When will there be non-binary Barbie and Ken-who-identifies-as-Barbie Mattel-Shitlords?!

Russian Otaku
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hey look more disgusting f****t racism cause for r******d dipshits diversity means always black people

Ava Ford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excuse me sir or ma'am, but this comment itself is racist and homophobic! Diversity are all colours that a human can come in and be from, and saying that this is gay is very offensive to the people who were abused for liking another gender. Plus I'd like to say that not only do you swear more than a drunken Irishman (not literally just the saying), but your grammar is repulsive and abominable. Have a nice day Lord Farquaad!

Load More Replies...
David Macker
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This is stupid. They should've kept them white and skinny with long blonde hair. This promotes obesity;

Ava Ford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't promote it, but it says that others are overweight and they shouldn't be hurt by others for being that size

Load More Replies...
Brendy Forest
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It's homofobia! How does a kid have to gess who is a lesbian?

Brandon Germer
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: Barbie was originally based off of an early 1950s German sex doll named Bild Lilli. Mattel has come a long way!

Jim Ellington
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sex doll? Are you serious? The Bild Lilli doll was 12 inches tall and had the same anatomical detail as a Barbie doll. Explain to me how one gets it on with that (well, I can see how a female could, but I'm sure you get my point).

Load More Replies...
Phoenix
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! If you can have customizable Chucks, why not Barbies too? I'd make mine to look like me... a 50-year-old Joan Jett wannabe with nerd glasses and cat hair on all my Barbie clothes. Mattel... get on this! :-D

Cold Contagious
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A down syndrome and little person Barbie would be great. There are so many families like this represented on TV now and it would be nice for the children to dolls representative of their own families and friends as well.

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good point on the little person one. Now THAT'S an underrepresented group.

Load More Replies...
deanna woods
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think that this is a great idea. So many young ladies developed eating disorders because they thought that they were supposed to be that thin. I think that it is a great idea that Mattel is embracing all bodies and all skin colors. Also can we just discuss how great this is and not insult each other over how Barbies came into existence?

Catlady6000
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I do like finding out the history of things. I agree, why insult someone because they may have gotten it wrong?

Load More Replies...
Katinka Min
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God, I would have adored a dark Barbie with an Afro!! But, not white blondes, only, in my childhood.

*MINTYMOONS*
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

same but its not to late to get some im collecting them and im wayyy old for dolls XD

Load More Replies...
Logan Scaggs
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn I wish this happened when I was younger. I loved Barbies!

Michał Jastrzębski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

for even better results, they could consider having those parts be interchangeable so the kids/parents can mix and match them

Shinomi Chan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oooh! These look pretty darn good. More diversity, and it's educational for kids who don't know some of the different skin types

Bored Fox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is great. :) I hope they also make a white doll with vitiligo because uneven skin color is problem also to many white people and many people use tons of make-up to hide that. Vitiligo areas also get sun burn easier. Of course vitiligo is more easier to see on dark skinned people so I understand that the dark vitiligo doll is more important to release first. :) Also an albino doll could raise awareness of albinism. :)

Rachel Tucker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I totally agree! The vitiligo on my legs makes me look like i am tanned with scars but I'm caucasian none the less. I also have a 'mallen streak' which I get a lot of looks for but it makes me unique. If these dolls were the norm when I was younger I wouldn't have had so many cruel comments, possibly.

Load More Replies...
Holly Ingraham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"First long-haired Ken"? Oh, please. 1998 Harley Davidson Ken and others since then.

Carol Roeder
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Diversity should be briught into kids toys because God made us all so different to start with. I think it's a wonderful idea and I applaud Mattel for their decision to do this!

Sandra Mason
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"differently-abled" is probably the funniest word I've heard this year. my 1960 Barbie is rolling in her shoe box.

*MINTYMOONS*
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ooo i want more of these (yes im a teenager who collects barbie dolls okay?)

Mari Ng
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I appreciate the intent, but "differently abled" is not considered appropriate terminology. "Person with a disability" or "disabled" are preferred. https://ncdj.org/style-guide/

Full Name
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait 45 minutes and a new buzzword will take its place. We need to stop that nonsense.

Load More Replies...
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is great! More option is always good. I'd love to see a Barbie without make-up and with realistic body proportions

Alonso Victoria
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is cool, we have more diversity but less quality, i miss the fully articulated barbies we used to have in the early 2000's. We need the new ones with the features older ones have.

Living_Shadow
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never even realized that.... Now that I think about it, all of my sisters dolls were white (I was a tomboy, I didn't own any lol) There weren't many of other colors available.

Viki Banaszak
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want poor Ken to have a realistic body and be able to bend his arms and legs. Come on, It's about time, isn't it?

okpkpkp
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 1959 or 1960 I was fighting with my older sister. I grabbed her Barbie doll, threw it down and stomped on it. It pushed Barbie's boobies in, lol. My sis cried and hit me with a rock she was so mad.

mermaidgirl960
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched the barbie documentary about a month ago (About a few years after it was made and release on hulu) and I'm glad they're getting more and more diverse :)

mermaidgirl960
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I don't know if they already have this but I wish they had a barbie maker online and then you could buy it so you get a barbie that looks like you :3 I have really curly brown hair, glasses, and I'm very small so I would love a barbie like me

SupriyaG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it. Not fond of barbies but I think i am gonna buy all of them.

Artur Niedzielski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah... and still is nothing wrong about anatomy. Arms longer then legs f.e. Rubbish!

Jim Ellington
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Still waiting for my morbidly obese Barbie, Inuit Barbie, Australian Aborigine Barbie, and elephantiasis Barbie.

Demi Zwaan
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Ah good. I'm totally screwed up because they didn't have a non-anorexic, short dark-haired child barbie. I've always thought I was supposed to be a grown up, blond, long-haired woman when I was a kid.

CbusResident
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

When will there be non-binary Barbie and Ken-who-identifies-as-Barbie Mattel-Shitlords?!

Russian Otaku
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Hey look more disgusting f****t racism cause for r******d dipshits diversity means always black people

Ava Ford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Excuse me sir or ma'am, but this comment itself is racist and homophobic! Diversity are all colours that a human can come in and be from, and saying that this is gay is very offensive to the people who were abused for liking another gender. Plus I'd like to say that not only do you swear more than a drunken Irishman (not literally just the saying), but your grammar is repulsive and abominable. Have a nice day Lord Farquaad!

Load More Replies...
David Macker
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This is stupid. They should've kept them white and skinny with long blonde hair. This promotes obesity;

Ava Ford
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It doesn't promote it, but it says that others are overweight and they shouldn't be hurt by others for being that size

Load More Replies...
Brendy Forest
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It's homofobia! How does a kid have to gess who is a lesbian?

Related on Bored Panda
Related on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda