London Exhibition Celebrates 65 Years of Barbie’s Evolution

A new exhibition celebrating Barbie’s 65th birthday has opened in London at the Design Museum. Titled “Barbie: The Exhibition,” it runs from July 5 to February 23 and showcases over 250 items from the Barbie universe. The exhibition features a chronological display of Barbie dolls, starting with the first edition released in 1959, characterized by blonde hair, angled eyes, and dressed in a black-and-white swimsuit. It also includes later models that reflect diversity with different races, hair textures, and body shapes, including significant milestones like the introduction of the first Black Barbie and one in a wheelchair.

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Among the exhibits are design sketches, dream houses, and thematic sections highlighting Barbie’s evolution in career roles—from a police officer and scientist to a doctor, president, and voter. The exhibition also explores the history of Ken, Barbie’s companion introduced in 1961.

Curator Danielle Thom emphasized the exhibition’s aim to showcase the detailed research and rigorous design behind Barbie’s creation. “Whether you’re a Barbie fanatic or a Barbie skeptic, I hope you come away with an appreciation for how this brand has come into being and its enduring impact on the toy market,” she stated.

The exhibition coincides with the significant cultural presence of Barbie, highlighted by last year’s successful Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie, which grossed $1.4 billion globally. According to Kim Culmone, senior vice president of design at Mattel, Barbie’s cultural resonance has never been more prominent.