There is a little something “more” in the new line of Barbie dolls from Mattel.
From rainbow hair to a range of body types, skin tones and fashion, each of the five Barbie Extra dolls has a playful, extravagant style, Mattel officials shared exclusively with USA TODAY.
In time for the holidays, the new dolls go on sale Monday at Amazon, Target and Walmart with a suggested retail price of $ 24.99 each.
“When it comes to fashion, Barbie Extra has a ‘more is more’ attitude, because even their pets are accessorized,” Kim Culmone, senior vice president of Mattel and global head of fashion, told USA TODAY. design Barbie & Fashion Dolls. “Each doll wears its own unique style and provides girls with an exciting fashion and style play experience with articulated and articulated bodies.”
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Culmone said the company has looked at several sources of inspiration for the design, including street style, runway shows and culture.
“Barbie is at her best when she connects with culture and Barbie Extra does just that from the name to every detail and accessory,” Culmone said. “Dolls are fun and playful, allowing children to change their personal expression and play in fashion by showing them that you can be trailblazers at any age.”
Barbie has been criticized by some for promoting a narrow and unrealistic ideal of what is beautiful. But the brand has been on a surge of diversity over the past five years, unveiling dolls with a range of skin tones, hair textures, body sizes, and facial structures.
In early 2020, Mattel announced additions to its Barbie Fashionistas line to ensure that the dolls more reflect the diversity of society.
Buyers have welcomed the inclusiveness. The best Barbie seller in 2019 was a curvy black doll with an Afro. Seven of the 10 best-selling fashionistas last year were various, including a doll that uses a wheelchair.
Calling Barbie “the most diverse line of fashion dolls on the market”, Culmone said with Barbie Extra as in other lines “it was important for us to include a wide range of diversity so that every child can find a doll. that resonates with them. “
An 18-month neuroscience study from Cardiff University and Barbie found that playing with dolls can help children develop empathy and social processing skills. The results of the study were published in October.
“We always knew there were many benefits to playing with dolls, but this is the first time we’ve had neuroscientific data to remind parents of the benefits,” Culmone said. “As we continue to inspire the limitless potential in every child, we are proud to offer dolls that encourage social information processing and empathy skills that we know are highly valued by parents.”
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Contributor: Charisse Jones, USA TODAY
Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko
