PREVIEW

The Design Museum in London has today unveiled a major exhibition celebrating the iconic Barbie brand, marking its 65th anniversary. Titled "Barbie: The Exhibition," the showcase is presented in partnership with global toy company Mattel and features over 180 remarkable dolls, including rare and unique pieces.

Visitors will be able to explore a vast array of Barbie dolls and accessories, tracing the evolution of the brand from its inception in 1959 to the present day. Highlights include some of the most recognisable and best-selling dolls, such as the 1971 'surfer girl' Sunset Malibu Barbie and the 1985 Day to Night Barbie, which reflects the workplace revolution for women in the 1980s.

The exhibition, which opens on Friday and runs until February 2025, delves into Barbie’s changing appearance and its alignment with cultural shifts around diversity and representation. Exclusive insights into Mattel’s design processes are also featured, showcasing the technical and material innovation behind the Barbie doll.

Among the highlights are early editions of Barbie, including the 'Number 1 Barbie' from 1959, hand-painted and displayed in a black-and-white bathing suit. This particular doll, one of the earliest models, is now part of the Design Museum's collection and is considered one of the oldest Barbie dolls in a UK museum.

The exhibition also showcases groundbreaking dolls that reflect a diverse society, such as the first Black, Hispanic, and Asian Barbies, as well as dolls designed with Down syndrome, a wheelchair, and a 'curvy' body shape.

A unique prototype of the first Talking Barbie from 1968, with a transparent torso to display its voice mechanism, is among several rare items on loan from Mattel's archives in Los Angeles.

The exhibition also celebrates Barbie's friends, including her first friend Midge, the beloved Christie and Teresa, and Barbie's younger sister Skipper. Additionally, there is a dedicated section for Ken, tracing his evolution since his introduction in 1961.

A standout feature of the exhibition is the Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie, which spent six months aboard the International Space Station in 2022. This doll, modeled after European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, marks Barbie’s continuing association with space travel and will be on public display for the first time.

"Barbie: The Exhibition" promises to offer visitors an in-depth look at the cultural and design legacy of the world's most famous doll, providing a nostalgic journey through decades of Barbie’s history and influence