Barbie gets more diverse: Mattel unveils dolls with no hair, vitiligo, a prosthetic limb

Mattel is continuing its quest for diversity in its Barbie line, introducing new skin tones, faces and body shapes

Other Barbies include a doll with alopecia, a Barbie in a wheelchair and a Ken with long hair

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The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line include a doll with vitiligo and a Barbie with a prosthetic leg.

Published: 10:00pm, 31 Jan 2020Updated: 1:59am, 1 Feb 2020

If you’re a little girl with a prosthetic limb, alopecia or the skin condition vitiligo, there’s now a Barbie doll that looks just like you.

The 2020 additions to Mattel’s Barbie Fashionistas line are the company’s latest nod to making sure its dolls reflect more of society’s diversity. While a doll with a prosthetic limb debuted last year, this year’s version will have a darker complexion. Another new addition has no hair. Even Ken has an updated look, sporting long locks instead of his signature, short, sculpted hairdo.

“We’ve been committed to increasing diversity in our line and showcasing all the different types of beauty that exist … making the line more accessible,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice-president and global head of Barbie and its dolls portfolio.

Barbie was once criticised by some observers for promoting a narrow, unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful. But the brand has been on a diversity push over the last five years, unveiling dolls with an array of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes and facial structures.

A new Barbie Fashionista doll with a bald head.

There are Barbies with less defined waists, varying bust sizes and sculpted arms. And the doll in a wheelchair even has her own ramp.