Curvy was the 2016 Barbie body type added alongside petite and tall options.
Mattel introduced the curvy body option as part of a broader expansion of Barbie’s body diversity. The change meant that fashion could be shown on more than the traditional original body shape, while petite and tall versions added further variation in proportion.
The term is sometimes confused with general marketing descriptions such as classic or slim. Curvy is the specific body-type label used in the Barbie Fashionistas expansion.
The change mattered to fashion history because Barbie clothing had long been designed around a single highly recognizable silhouette. Multiple body types required Mattel to adapt garment patterns and present a wider range of styling possibilities.