For decades, the Pop Barbie balanced on the ends of the world on toes and high heels. Now the feet are getting flatter, at least for many models. This is the result of a study by Australian Monash University, whose team investigated more than 2,700 dolls.
The researchers looked at the feet of models from 1959 to 2024. They used different comparison criteria, such as whether it was a working Barbie or a fashion doll. The result: sporty barbies or models that have a recognizable profession are usually flat feet. However, models aimed at fashion are on sections.
In the first ten years of the doll from 1959, all models also typed on the forefoot without touching the heel. Between 2020 and 2024 there were only four of the ten dolls on the ends of the toes. According to the researchers, this is a positive trend.
Mattel: Children must be again
Most of the Barbies surveyed wear comfortable sandals, sneakers or ballerinas. The American toy manufacturer Mattel said that every child could be in a Barbie today. That is why the variety of skin colors, hair colors, body types to foot positions has been expanded.
Previously, the plastic doll had grown a lot of criticism with a waspe waist, long legs and other unrealistic proportions. It was called that they were rolling clichés servants and the wrong identification for girls. The authors of the research said that there had already been a few studies into the body shape of the doll, but none about their foot images.
They also reminded of a scene from the film “Barbie” (2023), in which the dolls are placed in the “real world” from their pink Barbeland. “My heels are on the floor,” says the Barbie (Margot Robbie), who usually runs on high hooks shoes, in a scene with horror. “Plattfuß”, a friend screams with a facial expression of disgust.
Source: Krone
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