A French shoe designer has sparked controversy after deciding that Barbie is "too fat" and redesigning her with slimmer ankles.

Christian Louboutin is designing three new Barbies to celebrate the doll's 50th anniversary, reports Metro. Barbie is no stranger to controversy, having been attacked in the past for being too thin and sending out the wrong message to young girls about living healthily.

But fashion designer Mr Louboutin, whose luxury shoes retail for up to £1,500, thinks the model has "cankles", or fat ankles, and is planning to make his new dolls even slimmer. A Louboutin spokeswoman said: "They're completely wild and even come with mini Louboutin boxes for the shoes." But, she added: "He found her ankles were too fat."

Barbie manufacturer Mattel has previously been attacked for making the dolls too top-heavy, while studies have revealed she also has too little body fat. Mattel was also criticised in 1980 for releasing a black Barbie which simply looked like a white Barbie painted black.

What next? May I suggest that Action Man needs some padding in the trouser department...

Given the celebrity lifestyle it was a miracle only her ankles were fat.

The original was here