I’m a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, (sorry I couldn’t resist.)

Anyway… aside from that 90’s pop song being the greatest thing EVER, the world isn’t a Barbie World, and we are NOT Barbies. At least not the sculpted versions, we have been conditioned to believe are perfect and something to aspire to.

But as we grow and human nature catches up to corporate business, we see a change on the horizon. As you grow older I think your sense of self reflection gets stronger and you realize what’s really important in life. Heart is important. So why not instill that in the younger generation from the minute they are able to play with these iconic dolls.

Last week, I saw all the news about Barbie getting a makeover, and I was LOVING what I was seeing. What a changing world it is, that we live in. As Barbie Evolves…Mattel is bettering the iconic doll for future generations.

I loved Barbies as a kid, and even now all these years later, I still feel a connection to them. It takes me back to the days of my childhood. Where I would spend hours playing and being imaginative. Seeing the changes the companies are starting to realize need to be implemented to support healthier body image observance for young girls, is a really special thing. Granted, it took a while, but change is coming and it’s a groundbreaking move for Barbie lovers, like myself, to see.

-CUE RANT-

If you are not a fan or the change, you clearly don’t have a relationship with the toy, so get over it, and move on. Because this doesn’t concern you. Sorry… just reading the comments on the Barbie Facebook is so frustrating. If you don’t care about the change, why are you here looking it up? Why must you comment to say you don’t bother with Barbies? How is this change anything but good? I guess people will always have something to complain about.

-Ok, RANT OVER-

View my last Barbie’s Evolution turns into a Revolution post HERE .

Mattel is releasing its 2016 Barbie line, throughout this year. Some are even available for early purchase online.

On the Barbie.com website this is the statement featured about the new line-

Introducing the 2016 Barbie^® Fashionistas^™ Dolls. Releasing over time throughout the year, the line includes 4 body types- (Curvy, Tall, Petite, Original Barbie,) 7 skin tones, 22 eye colors, 24 hairstyles, and countless on-trend fashions and accessories. Shop now, exclusively at Mattel Shop.

Barbie.com also explains the reasons for the change, backing it up with a video.

THE EVOLUTION OF BARBIE-

Girls everywhere now have infinitely more ways to play out their stories and spark their imaginations through Barbie. Along with more overall diversity, we proudly add three new body types to our line. Here’s a look at why we did this, and the team that made it possible. #TheDollEvolves (SEE- video linked below)

Another video from Glamour Magazine that shows girls reacting to the new charge in Barbie, below:

Learn more about the new 2016 Barbie line HERE.

Like Barbie on Facebook for day to day updates and in-depth looks at the new and improved dolls.

360 degree viewing videos of the new dolls available on the Facebook page too!

“They’ll all be called Barbie, but it’s the curvy one—with meat on her thighs and a protruding tummy and behind—that marks the most startling change to the most infamous body in the world.” -TIME MAGAZINE

I want one of each, to put away for my future daughters, or nieces, or for my god daughter when you gets into Barbies which I selfishly hope is very soon! Haha! As I mentioned, I loved Barbies as a kid and I love that they are making Barbies more realistic and their beauty more attainable. It’s a great step in the right direction for inspiring positive body image for our young girls and future generations.

Is Ken going to be getting some realistic improvements next? I hope so. TODAY reports on the possibility. This looks so cool! If Barbie is looking more like real girls and women, shouldn’t Ken do the same and look more like real men, and boys? YES.

Everyone; men, women, girls, boys…we all come in all different shapes, sizes, heights, colors, ethnicities, some of us have curly hair, some of us have straight hair, some of us have beauty marks, some of us have freckles, and we all express our creativity through how we choose to dress. No one is perfect, but we are all unique. And there is a beauty in diversity. If everyone looked the same, like all the Barbies used to, the world would be a very boring place. I love that there are White, Black, Hispanic/Tan, and Asian Barbies in this new line. It’s a beautiful thing to see a reflection of our realistic world in these toys. Looking at this line of Barbies, their features are more human, they look like real people you’d pass on the street.

Because every little girl (or boy) playing with these dolls, just wants to feel accepted. To know that someone out there gets them and looks or feels like they look or feel. It’s human nature to want to feel that sense of connection to the world around you. Even as adults we want to feel accepted in our environment and when we look around and feel like maybe we stick out or we feel like we don’t fit in, it can cause us to feel badly about ourselves. That’s the same situation with children. The toys they play with mean the world to them. It’s the creative world they get to live in and make up stories. So if a doll looks like them, they get to play a more realistic version of that world. And feel that if Barbie can “be anything” which is the whole story behind Barbie and her million careers, then they can be anything and do anything. If Barbie isn’t perfect, they don’t feel like they have to be.

Rock on Barbie, Ken. Be you. Do Your Thang. (Words to live by…Thanks *NSYNC. and yes I changed the title to Thang, because I just thought it was more effective than Thing. haha!)

Which new Barbie and Ken do you find most inspired? Which is most like you? Personally speaking I really dig the curvy Barbies, with the tan complexion and brown hair. I feel she looks most like me. Although I gotta admit the fact that some dolls have hazel eyes now, is kinda awesome too. And I love the blue hair and other funky colors too. Super cool! So let’s start a conversation, what do you guys think? Tell me in the comments below!

 

*I do not take credit for any images or videos/songs used in this post.*

-<3-