Mattel launch new Barbies with no hair and vitiligo to diversify range of dolls

"She can see herself reflected in the line."

Mattel has launched a range of new Barbies in a bid to diversify their range of dolls. The new range includes a Barbie with no hair to represent people going through hair loss, and a Barbie with vitiligo, a condition that cause white patches to develop on the skin. The toy company said that they are launching the dolls to make their range of Barbies more diverse and applicable to more young women. According to them, their brand represents "global diversity and inclusivity." "If a girl is experiencing hair loss for any reason, she can see herself reflected in the line," they said. They added that the Barbie with no hair - which was the brand's most liked post on Instagram ever last year - is "reflective of trends seen from catwalk to the sidewalk." The new dolls, set to be rolled out later this year, will allow children to “play out even more stories they see in the world around them." This comes after Mattel introduced a Barbie with a hijab, a Barbie with a prosthetic limb, a Barbie with a hearing impairment, and a Barbie using a wheelchair. Mattel had long been criticised for their failure to represent real women and girls with their dolls, often sexualising them or making their bodies too slim. Since then, the company has made a substantial effort to diversify their range of dolls, now offering Barbies with five different body types, 22 skin tones, and over 70 different hair styles. Ken dolls have also been a part of this new inclusivity, with dolls available in four body types with 13 different skin tones. The new range is due to be rolled out later this year.