As you are probably aware: last year saw the capital city (and the whole world) descend into complete and utter Barbie-mania. London landmarks were illuminated in Barbie’s signature colour, London buses were Barbie-fied, and the whole city well-and-truly caught Barbie fever.
Well, if you still happen to have Barbie on the brain, you’ll be delighted to hear the news that an entire Barbie exhibition is coming to London’s Design Museum this summer. That’s right: it’s been 65 years since the very first Barbie was born and to celebrate the momentous occasion, the Design Museum is dedicating an entire exhibition to the cultural icon that is Barbie.
Inside the exhibition
The museum has been granted special access to the Barbie archives in California, and will be displaying a plethora of rare and unique items. A first-edition Barbie, created in 1959 by Ruth Handler, will be among 180 rare and remarkable dolls and accessories on display. There’ll also be a rare example of the first ever Barbie Dreamhouse released in 1962, which is made from cardboard.
This exhibition has been three years in the making (long before the movie arrived on our screens) and will open on July 5. The exhibition has been curated by the Design Museum’s Danielle Thorn and will map the incredibly legacy that Barbie has created.
The exhibition will highlight how Barbie has evolved and adapted with the trends over the past six-and-a-half decades. Over the years Barbie has grown into a brand that has truly challenged stereotypes and championed feminism and diversity.
Exploring the ‘design phenomenon’ behind the smash hit film, the show will also feature a ‘small but dedicated section for Kens’ showcasing six decades worth of Ken dolls since his creation in 1961.
Curator, Danielle Thom, said: “We are not just talking about the doll itself but the world of Barbie, the universe of Barbie, and the design of that has a really interesting story to tell in terms of how it relates to the design of our own world or as the film put it the real world.”
Tim Marlow, the Design Museum’s director, added: “Barbie is one of the most recognisable brands on the planet and as we’ve seen recently, her story evolves with each new generation. We look forward next year to displaying a whole range of eye-catching objects, some familiar but many never seen before, to showcase the evolution of design across the decades of Barbie’s world.”
According to the Design Museum, their exhibition will “explore the story of Barbie through a lens, including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design”. Well, I for one, cannot wait because after all, it’s Barbie’s world and we’re all just living in it.