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 has opened at London’s Design Museum. Running from July 5, 2024 to February 23, 2025, it’s set to be a must-visit for fans of the beloved toy doll.
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 iconic cultural icon.
Inside the exhibition
We have the Design Museum’s Danielle Thorn to thank for the exhibition, which maps the incredible legacy that Barbie has created. To create the exhibition, the museum was granted special access to the Barbie archives in California. They’ve dug deep into the past and the exhibition features all sorts of rare and unique items.
A first-edition Barbie, created in 1959 by Ruth Handler, is among 180 rare and remarkable dolls and accessories on display. There is also a rare example of the first-ever Barbie Dreamhouse released in 1962, which is made from cardboard.
Lest you think this is just a movie cash-grab, by the way, this exhibition has been three years in the making. That means they were busy with the curation long before the movie arrived on our screens!
The exhibition also highlights how Barbie has evolved and adapted alongside 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 also features 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.
Barbie®: The Exhibition will run until February 23, 2025.
📍 The Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, W8 6AG. The nearest stations are High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia).