Glamorous Barbie becomes burka-clad for charity

Toy doll Barbie, known for her glamorous clothes and pneumatic figure, has undergone a traditional makeover for charity.

The new burka-clad Barbie dolls along with 500 other dolls are being sold at a Sotheby's charity auction in Florence, Italy, in aid of Save The Children.

The look is a part of a multicultural exhibition by Italian designer Eliana Lorena.

The sale marks Barbie's 50th anniversary this year.

"I think this is really important for girls, wherever they are from they should have the opportunity to play with a Barbie that they feel represents them," the Telegraph quoted Britain's biggest Barbie collector Angela Ellis, 35, who owns more than 250 dolls, as saying.

"I Know Barbie was something seen as bad before as an image for girls, but in actual fact the message with Barbie for women is you can be whatever you want to be.

"I like the 70s, 80s and 90s ones that have reflected my life and I picked the really outstanding ones, the really different ones that have a message for my collection.

"I have a Barbie in a wheelchair that was only out for six weeks," she added.

Rosie Shannon, from Save the Children, said, "We are delighted Sotheby's and the designer chose to auction the burka Barbie dolls for our charity.