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How the world of work has lured Barbie out of high heels
Scientific study of 3,000 dolls down the decades shows most now wear flats
The work, led by podiatrists in Australia and the UK, was spurred by a scene in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 movie in which Margot Robbie’s Barbie suffers an existential crisis, and an onslaught of screams and retching, when her tip-toed feet suddenly become flat. For the first 30 years, when Barbie launched as a fashion model, put in the hard hours to pass astronaut selection – and simultaneously found her calling in an ice-cream parlour – the doll consistently left the factory on tip toes, with feet at a 40-degree angle to the ground. “Committed to creating dolls that inspire all kids, we’ve increased the variety offered in skin tones, hair colours and textures, body types and disabilities – right down to more foot positions with reimagined footwear options to support Barbie’s bold steps forward.”
Or read this on The Guardian
