The world's most famous doll is about to have major plastic surgery.

The US toy company, Mattel, has announced that Barbie will be redesigned to better reflect today's society.

It is the third such change in Barbie's 38-year history.

Barbie's traditional trademarks have been her blonde hair, tiny waist and an astonishingly large bust. If her measurements were translated to human inches, her statistics would be 38-18-34.

Out go the improbably large breasts

But all this will change as Barbie undergoes what is being called the ultimate plastic surgery. She'll get slimmer hips, a wider waist and - in the words of the company - a profile that will be less graduated. Translation: a smaller bust.

A multi-billion dollar business rides on the redesign. A Barbie doll is sold every two seconds, contributing around two billion dollars a year to Mattel.

The company says the changes will better reflect contemporary society and role models. While the busty, platinum blond model was glamourous in the 1980s, today's Barbie will be more natural looking. She is called "Really Rad Barbie."

The slimmer toy will also better fit today's fashions. Not surprisingly, the company also is launching a new range of designer clothing to be bought as extras.
 

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