Barbie is in Sports Illustrated
…for their annual swimsuit issue. The “body image” talk is already starting. I have a question for people claiming that impressionable young girls are getting a bad body image from this doll. If girls are getting their body image from a toy….aren’t there bigger issues involved here? Should we blame the toy for that? I liked to play with GI Joe when I was younger too. Did that give me a tuff guy body image? Did I think I could become the next Jean Claude Van Damme? I am just asking.
Obviously, I don’t belong to the camp that believes Barbie is the root of these so called “ body issues”. I played with Barbie, my nieces played with Barbie, my daughter played with Barbie…not a bad body image displayed in any one of them. As far as I can tell, they are happy, well adjusted , successful, articulate and confident young woman. I am not judging or invalidating anyone’s point of view here. I am simply adding my data points to this issue.
Body issues aside, the folks at Sports Illustrated and Mattel have teamed up for what looks to be a fun SI issue. Here are a few stills.
source: Sports Illustrated
source: Mattel
source: Sports Illustrated
There is also an adorable video of the behind the scenes with veteran SI photographer Walter Loos. I had to watch it a few times just to drool over all the equipment. You have to give this guy credit…he was a really good sport about it.
If you like this doll, you can order her from target here
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 