Mattel Releases Diverse Barbie Collection With New Body Types, Skin Tones, Hairstyles

American toy company, Mattel has revealed their latest collection of Barbie dolls, featuring three new body types, a range of skin tones, heights and hair styles that add diversity to the Barbie brand.

According to the Barbie Media website, the new collection of the world's most popular doll is called the "Fashionistas." Each doll, already available for order online, can be purchased for $10 or $20 with extra clothing and accessories.

The collection includes, four body types, seven skin tones, 14 face sculpts, 24 hairstyles and 22 eye colors. The looks range from tall and skinny dolls with curly hair, to dark skin and blue eyed shorter ones to dolls with red hair and freckles.

The move from Mattel comes with hopes of contributing to shifting social ideals about beauty.

In a Jan. 28 press release, the Senior Vice President and Global General Manager for Barbie, Evelyn Mazzocco, explained the reason behind the rebranding of the 57-year-old toy.

"We are excited to literally be changing the face of the brand. These new dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the world girls see around them," she said. "We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents to reflect a broader view of beauty."

According to Time, over the years the popular doll has received criticism for indulging traditional and unrealistic beauty and feminine ideals.

“Our brand represents female empowerment,” said Robert Dickson, President and COO of Mattel. “It’s about choices. Barbie had careers at a time when women were restricted to being just housewives. Ironically, our critics are the very people who should embrace us.”

This criticism led to several changes in the marketing of the doll, leading to Barbie advertisements adapting slogans like "It's a great time to be a girl" and "Anything is Possible."

In the past there have been Barbies designed after popular celebrities, most recently of Disney star Zendaya Coleman.

The move was celebrated for designing the doll after Coleman's 2014 Academy Awards look, which included the star's hair styled in dreadlocks. However, until now, there have been little changes to the doll's figure.

“Yes, some people will say we are late to the game but changes at a huge corporation take time," added Mazzocco.

Check out a behind-the-scenes look at the making and inspiration behind the toys rebranding below.