Barbie gets a new body (or 3) in reality-inspired makeover

Some 57 years after the impossibly busty and narrow-waistedblue-eyed Barbie doll was first introduced, California-based toymaker Mattel on Thursday released the new models, whichit says better reflect a changing world.

Parents and feminists have long criticized Barbie's originalshape as setting an unrealistic body image for girls, despitemodifications over the years.

We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents toreflect a broader view of beauty.- Evelyn Mazzocco, Barbie senior VP and global general manager

The new dolls have seven skin tones, 22 eye colours, 24hairstyles and new clothes and accessories. They are availablefor order on website shop.mattel.com starting Thursday and in stores later.

"We are excited to literally be changing the face of thebrand," Evelyn Mazzocco, senior vice president and globalgeneral manager of the Barbie brand, said in a statement.

"Thesenew dolls represent a line that is more reflective of the worldgirls see around them the variety in body type, skin tones andstyle allows girls to find a doll that speaks to them.

"We believe we have a responsibility to girls and parents toreflect a broader view of beauty," she said.

Revamp comes amid declining sales

The classic Barbie doll, which was launched in 1959 as adoe-eyed teen in a zebra-striped swimsuit, will remain as partof the Mattel line.

The launch of the new range follows two years of decliningsales of Barbie dolls around the world as girls increasinglyturn to other dolls, electronic toys and tablets. Barbie sales fell 14 percent in the most recently reported quarter, with worldwide sales falling every year since 2012.

Even before Thursday, however, Barbie has been changing. New skin tones and looks were added last year. And Barbie's foot was movable for the first time, allowing her to kick her heels off and wear flats.

On her way to becoming a global pop culture icon, Barbie hastried out more than 180 careers, ranging from teacher toastronaut and U.S. president. African-American Barbies and otherethnic versions were introduced starting in the late 1960s.

Dolls with the new bodies preordered from Mattel onlinewill ship in February. They will start toshow up on U.S. store shelves in March and roll out to the rest of theworld after that, the company said.