As many of you already know, Barbie has recently released its new squad of Barbie dolls. This time, the dolls come in all shapes, sizes, and colors in an attempt to represent more types of beautiful women. TIMES’ cover story of the month includes an exclusive video with the company where they explain their motivation, inspiration and direction came from for this new collection. (and I really suggest you go check it out.)
Yes, they are just dolls. So why is it a big deal? Because this time, the Barbie doll dress will not fit every single doll because there will now be three additions to Barbie: curvy, tall, and petite. This time not everyone will feel like they have to have a tiny waist and big bust to be beautiful. This time blonde is not the only kind of beautiful, even though it still keeps being beautiful. This time we are ALL beautiful!
Barbie makers are trying to make sure everyone knows that just because there are new additions to their dolls, does not mean that their original Barbie is not as beautiful as she was before, she is simply not the only one.
While this may not the first time we are told to be beautiful just by being ourselves, it is the first time it is directed toward such a young audience. Aerie’s initiative, #AerieReal, where they do not retouch their models because “the real you is sexy” is an awesome milestone for women fashion! Dove’s campaign for real beauty is also incredible because they model real women, not just fake supermodels full off coverups and retouches.
However, these campaigns come a little too late because when you are 8-9 years old, you’re playing with dolls, not looking at Dove or Aerie ads. You don’t use those products yet. Heck, you don’t even know what they are. The reason this is such a big deal is because now when you are little you don’t have to compare yourself to Barbie because there is a Barbie that is like you and is still considered beautiful.
When these little girls (or boys) who play with Barbie dolls grow up, they won’t be comparing themselves to the models in the magazines because they will have grown up knowing that that doesn’t have to be the only kind of beautiful.
For the first time in Barbie history and children toys in general, your role model can be other than size zero. For the first time we don’t have to believe to aspire to be one kind of beautiful. For the first time, the doll world is saying: aspire to be YOURSELF.
I admire Barbie’s initiative even though they are nervous about whether or not this will backfire in their sales because it was about time we were allowed to be ourselves.
