The battle over whether Barbie is bad for girls self-image got heated on
Monday, Fast Company published an interview with a lead Mattel designer who led a vigorous defense of Barbie’s impossible and much-maligned proportions.
Kim Culmone, VP of Design at Mattel explained why the company still produces a doll with measurements that if real, would result in
a woman with half a liver who could only walking on all fours. “Barbie’s body was never designed to be realistic. She was designed for girls to easily dress and undress.”
That justification for Barbie’s outrageous silhouette falls flat with experts in child psychology and female body image. Those pointy feet might be easier to slip into those tight pants, “But those boobs…” said Dr. Sharon Lamb, chair of University of Massachusetts Boston’s School of Psychology. “I don’t think Barbie’s breasts were designed to help Barbie’s clothes go easily on.”
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