Oct 13, 2009 11:50 pm US/Eastern
Designer Comes To Rescue Of Barbie's 'Cankles'
Stiletto Maker Louboutin Re-Designing Feet Of Fashion Icon Doll; New Yorkers Let Out Collective 'Are You Serious?'
By KATHRYN BROWN, CBS 2 HD News
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
A French shoe designer is being called on the carpet for a comment he made calling Barbie fat -- specifically her ankles.
The iconic, incredible Barbie is now a bigger fashion symbol than ever. In fact, some in the fashion world seem to think she's too big.
Stiletto maker Christian Louboutin is re-designing a fashion Barbie set to come out next year, and according to Women's Wear Daily, found her ankles a bit too fat for his taste, so he re-shaped the doll's feet.
"Are you serious? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," Brooklyn resident Depelsha McGruder said.
"I have to disagree. I think Barbie is really fit," said Jarod Wagner of South Bend, Ind.
We asked around and while some managed to find some shortcomings we couldn't find anyone who thinks Barbie has cankles.
"Smaller breasts ... than she used to," said Dominica Wozniak, a tourist from Poland.
"Yeah, the bootie maybe a little bit," another New York added.
The whole idea of fat ankles didn't quite ring true with New Yorkers.
"I don't even know what you're talking about," McGruder said.
"She has great ankles. She doesn't have cankles," said Michael Multcher of Summit, N.J.
And though most people seemed to take this as a big joke, child psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Gardere doesn't.
"They idolize their dolls. They get ideas as to body image, self esteem, self perception by playing with the dolls," Dr. Gardere said.
A spokesperson for Louboutin clarified the remarks -- and quoted the designer as saying "She has an extraordinary figure, including her ankles! We did decide to make changes to her arch though ... and I was able to design a Barbie doll with the perfect foot."
Backpedaling from his original comment.
The Louboutin spokesperson also pointed out the language barrier could account for a misunderstood comment.
Barbie's maker -- Mattel -- did not return CBS 2 HD's calls.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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