Barbie dolls to feature no hair and vitiligo in effort to boost diversity

The makers of Barbie dolls are to sell a version that looks as if it has the skin condition vitiligo and another with no hair, in an effort to increase the diversity of the range.

Mattel said it wants to provide a “multi-dimensional view of beauty and fashion” and “represent global diversity and inclusivity”.

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“If a girl is experiencing hair loss for any reason, she can see herself reflected in the line," the company said.

“A prototype was debuted on Barbie’s Instagram channel last year, becoming the channel’s most liked post ever.”

It added that the doll with no hair is also “reflective of hair trends seen from catwalk to the sidewalk”.

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The two bestselling Barbie Fashionista dolls in the UK last year were ones with wheelchairs, according to the company.

Globally, the bestseller in the Fashionista range was a “curvy black doll with afro hair”, it added.

Also being added to the range that will be launched on Tuesday is a Ken doll with “long rooted hair”.

Last year, Barbie also introduced a doll with a prosthetic limb after collaborating with 13-year-old Jordan Reeves.

They will now sell a second doll with a prosthetic limb that has darker skin.