Barbie is finally kicking off her heels! Since her creation 56 years ago, the doll could not wear anything but high-heeled shoes. But with the introduction of the latest collection in the Barbie Fashionistas line, toymaker Mattel is adding a new feature.
Barbie can now wear flats! The new collection of dolls have adjustable ankles—the hinge around it works to move the feet into a heeled or a flat position.
Barbie's new look will now have her wearing authentic street fashion—included in her new wardrobe are a selection of sneakers, sandals and other flat shoes, according to USA Today.
With over a billion sold around the world, Barbie's reign as one of the most coveted toys continues. However, recently, consumers have been clamoring for more design changes and product innovations from Mattel, despite having already gone through much reinvention over the years.
In fact, consumers demand that Barbie should be made to look like an actual woman, according to the Daily Mail. The new line boasts 23 different dolls with eight different skin tones, 14 facial sculpts, 18 eye colors and 22 hair colors and styles. These are just some of the changes Mattel has made to make the dolls more relatable.
"I'm so proud of what women are achieving today and remain committed to helping inspire girls and boys, sparking their imaginations and showing them that anything is possible," said Barbie in an interview with V Magazine.
"I've always encouraged girls to create roles for themselves. It's often overlooked, but I did go to the moon before man landed there, and I was even a presidential candidate several years before Hillary Clinton. I crashed the plastic ceiling early on in my career, so I have a lot of respect and time for women breaking barriers and achieving their own goals," the iconic doll added.
