London Exhibit Explores 65 Years of Barbie’s Design Evolution

LONDON (Reuters) – A new exhibition in London this week takes a closer look at the evolution of Barbie as the iconic Mattel doll marks her 65th birthday.

Running from July 5 to Feb. 23 at the Design Museum, “Barbie: The Exhibition” showcases more than 250 items from the Barbie universe. The exhibit includes dolls depicting her changing appearance, design sketches, and her famous dream houses.

Visitors can marvel at the first edition Barbie from 1959, featuring blonde hair, angled eyes, and a black-and-white swimsuit. The exhibition also highlights later models representing different races, hair textures, and body shapes.

Notable “firsts” in the display include a Black Barbie and a Barbie in a wheelchair. One section is dedicated to Barbie’s various career roles, featuring dolls as a police officer, scientist, doctor, president, and even a voter. Another section focuses on Ken, Barbie’s long-term companion, who was introduced in 1961.

Curator Danielle Thom expressed hope that visitors, whether they are fans or skeptics of Barbie, will appreciate the detailed research and rigorous design thinking behind the making of the doll.

“I hope that whatever your reason for coming to this show, you come away with an appreciation of detailed research and the rigorous design thinking that goes into the making of Barbie,” Thom stated.

The exhibition coincides with Barbie’s 65th birthday and follows the massive success of last year’s “Barbie” movie starring Margot Robbie, which grossed $1.4 billion globally.

“Barbie’s resonance and culture has never been larger, more prominent,” said Kim Culmone, senior vice president of design for Mattel.

Source: Reuters