London: A new exhibition spotlighting the evolution of Barbie has opened in London this week, coinciding with the iconic Mattel doll’s 65th birthday celebration. “Barbie: The Exhibition”, hosted at the Design Museum from July 5 to February 23, showcases over 250 artifacts that span the rich history of Barbie.
Among the featured items are the first edition of Barbie from 1959, adorned with blonde hair and angled eyes, dressed in her classic black-and-white swimsuit. The exhibition traces Barbie’s transformation through later models that reflect diverse races, hair textures, and body shapes. Noteworthy additions include the debut of the first Black Barbie and a Barbie in a wheelchair.
A significant portion of the exhibition is dedicated to Barbie’s myriad career roles, ranging from police officer and scientist to doctor, president, and voter. Another focal point highlights Ken, Barbie’s enduring companion since his introduction in 1961.
“I hope that whatever your reason for coming to this show …, whether you’re a Barbie fanatic or whether you’re a Barbie skeptic, you come away with an appreciation of detailed research and the rigorous design thinking that goes into the making of Barbie,” curator Danielle Thom emphasized in an interview.
“I do hope that people come away having learned something about … how this brand has come into being and managed to dominate the toy market for such a long period of time,” Thom added.
The exhibition coincides with Barbie’s 65th anniversary this year and follows the massive success of last year’s “Barbie” movie starring Margot Robbie, which grossed $1.4 billion globally at the box office.
“Barbie’s cultural impact has never been more significant,” remarked Kim Culmone, senior vice president of design for Mattel.
