Barbie’s 65th: A London Museum Design Celebration

The Design Museum in London is marking Barbie’s 65th anniversary with a major exhibition running from July 5, 2024, to February 23, 2025. “Barbie: The Exhibition,” developed with Mattel, explores Barbie’s evolution through design, culture, and representation, celebrating the iconic doll’s journey from her 1959 debut to her status as a cultural icon.

Tracing Barbie’s Evolution and Impact

The exhibition features over 250 artefacts, commencing with the original Barbie dressed in a classic black-and-white swimsuit, accompanied by archival footage from her early production days. As visitors progress through the exhibition, they will encounter a diverse selection of dolls, including the 1971 Sunset Malibu Barbie and the 1992 Totally Hair Barbie, which remains the best-selling Barbie of all time. Curator Danielle Thom emphasises the significance of Barbie’s design in reflecting broader societal changes. 

“What I want visitors to take away,” Thom explains, “is an appreciation for the intricate and deliberate design processes behind each doll and accessory, which mirror the social context of their creation.”

The exhibition highlights milestones in Barbie’s inclusivity, showcasing dolls that represent various identities and cultural backgrounds. Noteworthy items include the first Black Barbie from 1968, revolutionary Hispanic and Asian Barbies that reflect societal changes and spark discussions on diversity and representation.

Design Innovations and Cultural Influence

The Design Museum’s collaboration with Sam Jacob Studio has resulted in a visually captivating exhibition space. The vibrant palette of pinks, yellows, blues, and greens creates an immersive environment that complements Barbie’s colourful history. The design captures the playful and dynamic nature of the Barbie brand, focusing on the evolution of Barbie’s accessories and Dream Houses. Highlights include the original 1962 Dream House, which notably lacks a kitchen, and later models that reflect architectural trends ranging from Frank Gehry to more traditional styles.

The exhibition includes Miss Astronaut Barbie (1965), representing a time before female astronauts were a reality, and the Barbie Friend Ship Airplane (1972), showcasing Barbie’s adventurous spirit. Highlighting the display is the Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie (2021) from the ‘Role Models’ series, which honours real-life heroines. This doll, which accompanied Cristoforetti on her 170-day mission to the International Space Station in April 2022, is on special loan from the European Space Agency (ESA).

The Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie, crafted in her likeness and featuring a spacesuit with the ESA emblem and the Italian flag, is part of the Dream Gap Project. This initiative aims to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage girls to pursue STEM careers. Designed for collectors and children aged 6 and up, the doll serves to inspire interest in space science by celebrating Cristoforetti’s achievements.

A particularly intriguing aspect of the exhibition is a display detailing Barbie’s design process, including a hair chandelier and detailed sketches that trace her development from concept to production. This section highlights Barbie’s transformation over the decades and the meticulous design considerations that have contributed to her enduring appeal. Barbie’s career journey spans 250 professions, showcasing her versatility and ambition. Notable roles include Day-to-Night Barbie (1985), reflecting the evolving role of women in the workplace during the 1980s, along with positions such as a police officer (1993) and climate activist (2022). Her range even includes a U.S. president, illustrating significant societal changes and Barbie’s adaptability to various professional spheres.

Barbie’s Role in Pop Culture and Fashion

The Movie led to the release of the ‘Women in Film’ four-pack dolls in 2024, featuring Barbie dolls as a Director, Studio Executive, Cinematographer, and Movie Star, adorned with a sparkling gown and holding a Barbie-shaped Oscar trophy. This set celebrates the achievements of women in the film industry. Additionally, the Barbie Inspiring Women Series honours distinguished historical figures with custom Barbie dolls, including pioneers such as Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Billie Jean King, a Grand Slam tennis champion. Also featured are Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, Katherine Johnson, an African-American NASA scientist, and Dr. Jane Goodall, a leading primatologist.

Barbie’s fashion evolution is highlighted through collaborations with renowned designers, including Oscar de la Renta, Richard Quinn, and Guo Pei. Richard Quinn’s 2021 design features intricate embroidery, while Guo Pei’s 2022 Barbie showcases culturally significant attire, reflecting Barbie’s impact on global fashion.

The exhibition further explores Barbie’s influence on pop culture and media, including Andy Warhol’s Barbie portrait (1986), a Vogue issue dedicated to Barbie (2009), and Time magazine’s cover featuring Barbie’s new body shape (2016). Barbie’s inclusion in Forbes’ Power Women list (2023) underscores her ongoing impact on popular culture. Mattel’s commitment to diversity is evident in their recent releases, including the first Barbie with Down Syndrome (2023), alongside the Barbie with a wheelchair and ramp from 2019. This dedication to inclusivity began with ‘Share-A-Smile’ Becky in 1997, the first Barbie with a wheelchair, and has continued with Barbie Fashionistas dolls featuring prosthetic limbs (2019 and 2020), a vitiligo doll (2022), and a Barbie with a hearing aid (2022).

On January 28, 2016, Mattel expanded the Barbie Fashionistas line to include a variety of body types such as ‘Petite,’ ‘Curvy,’ and ‘Tall,’ alongside the traditional ‘Standard’ body type. This expansion reflects the diverse range of body types in today’s world, including nine body types, 97 hairstyles, and 35 skin tones. Barbie’s adventurous spirit is reflected in her diverse modes of transport, ranging from iconic vehicles like the pink Volkswagen Beetle and luxury Corvette Convertible to more recent additions such as the Barbie Electric Vehicle (2023) and collaborations with European car manufacturers.

Barbie’s playsets illustrate changing trends over time, from the California Dream Surf n’ Shop Set (1978) and Trendy Loft Playset (1998) to recent designs such as the Barbie x Kartell seating collection (2024) and the Barbie Bedroom Playset (2023). 

Barbie’s influence in music and gaming is exemplified by collectibles such as Barbie Sings! (1961) and the Barbie Keys to Fame Game (1963), demonstrating her enduring engagement with entertainment and interactive experiences. At The Design Museum, visitors can explore a range of products including mini Barbieland toys, Ravensburger puzzles, Barbie books, and official exhibition posters, each highlighting Barbie’s influence.

“Barbie: The Exhibition” at The Design Museum explores Barbie’s evolution and her impact on design, fashion, and culture over 65 years. The display traces her journey from her 1959 debut to her role as a symbol of diversity and empowerment. It offers insights into her changing designs and milestones in inclusivity, providing a chance for visitors to understand how the doll has become a significant cultural icon.