Barbie Doll Gets Major Body-Positive Makeover

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- Barbie's got a new look. The doll that's been around for nearly 60 years is getting a makeover to reflect the changing times.

Since 1959, Barbara Millicient Roberts, better known as "Barbie," has been a household name.

She's had more than 180 careers and is a pop culture icon, but just weeks before her 57th birthday, Barbie's getting a makeover.

"We were hearing that many thought that Barbie was out of touch," Evelyn Mazzocco, Senior Vice President and Global General Manager Barbie, told CBS2's Cindy Hsu.

As a typically white doll with unrealistic proportions, some parents thought Barbie was sending the wrong message about beauty.

"There are people that are turned away from Barbie because they want dolls that more resemble themselves, more in terms of their body type and more in terms of their skin tones," Jim Silver, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Toys, Tots, Pets and More, told CBS2.

Mattel recently introduced 23 new dolls with different skin tones and hair colors. Now they're adding three new body types: curvy, tall, and petite.

Many young girls are responding well to the changes.

"I think it'll be more fun to relate to them and play with them," 10-year-old Gabby Gutierrez said.

Mattel is hoping the new dolls will pump up sales. Barbie sales were down 14 percent in the last earnings report, and that's the eighth straight quarter of declining sales.

Fatumata Ceesay, a New York City resident, says the change is overdue.

"I actually feel great, I really do, you know the world is changing and that they care more about culture," Ceesay said.

The new line hits stores this Spring.