【Michael Maien】

Barbie continues her journey of representation.

This year,Michael Maien a new Fashionista line-up of Barbies is centered around diversity and inclusion. The line includes a doll with a prosthetic leg, a Ken doll with vitiligo, and a range of dolls with a variety of body types. Moving away from the original Barbie-body, new dolls will take different shapes and sizes. New Ken doll options also include dolls with rooted short hair and slender body types.

The updated range of dolls will be available in June 2022.

Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel, says, "Barbie wholeheartedly believes in the power of representation, and as the most diverse doll line on the market, we are committed to continuing to introduce dolls featuring a range of skin tones, body types and disabilities to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them."

"It’s important for kids to see themselves reflected in product and to encourage play with dolls that don’t resemble them to help them understand and celebrate the importance of inclusion.”

The line will also see the first Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids. The doll was developed with educational audiologist and hearing loss advocate Dr. Jen Richardson.

Dr. Richardson said she was "honored to have worked with Barbie".

"As an educational audiologist with over 18 years of experience working in hearing loss advocacy, it’s inspiring to see those who experience hearing loss reflected in a doll. I'm beyond thrilled for my young patients to see and play with a doll who looks like them."

The full 2022 Barbie Fashionista line will be available on shelves at Amazon, Target, and Walmart for $9.99 in June 2022.

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