TIME worked with some unconventional models for their latest cover photo shoot: Mattel’s new Barbies. The iconic doll now comes in three sizes petite, tall and curvy. It’s the first time in the brand’s 57 years that Barbie’s body has undergone such a dramatic change and it follows the addition of a range of new skin tones and hair textures in 2015.
The new dolls were escorted from Mattel’s headquarters in California to photographer Kenji Aoki’s studio in New York by Mary Jordan who has been the company’s Barbie stylist for the last 23 years. While on set, Jordan gave TIME an inside look into what it takes to get Barbie ready for her closeup. From knitting needles and jewelry pins to hair gel and toupe tape, Jordan has the tools to prepare Barbie for her many appearances.
Read the TIME cover story on Barbie’s new body
The three additional body shapes will be sold along with the original as of January 28th via Barbie.com, and will be in retail stores later this year. Check out this gallery of all the evolved Barbie looks.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Donald Trump Won
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- 22 Essential Works of Indigenous Cinema
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Write to Julia Lull at julia.lull@time.com and Arpita Aneja at arpita.aneja@time.com