The Wick List

Viewing Sixty-five years of Barbie’s life in plastic at the Design Museum

Last summer was all about the Barbie movie, and now the world’s famous doll is the protagonist of an exhibition: opening to the public tomorrow (just ahead of the school summer holidays) at the Design Museum, Barbie®: The Exhibition explores Barbie through the lens of design, from a rare edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959 to today through 250 objects.

Marking the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand, this show charts the evolution of Barbie and the diversification of dolls over the decades to better reflect the women in the world: the first Black, Hispanic and Asian Barbies are presented here, as well as differently-abled Barbies and different body shapes the brand has introduced. These dolls show how the brand has tried to shift beauty standards through design in meaningful ways.

Alongside Barbie, there’s a veritable universe on show here too — various other key characters including Midge (Barbie’s first friend), Christie, Teresa, and Barbie’s younger sister Skipper, and of course, there’s a whole lot of Ken — an entire section displays six decades of Barbie’s boyfriend, who was first introduced in 1961. Fans will also love the homes, furniture and vehicles that have all helped create the Barbie universe, and spark imaginative play all over the world. But what was the best-selling Barbie of all time? The 1992 Totally Hair Barbie — with more than 10 million dolls sold.

Share story
Dates
05 July 2024 — 23 February 2025
Further information
READ MORE
The Wick Culture - The World of Tim Burton 2024
Photo Lowri Cooper for The Design Museum
The Wick List

Viewing The World of Tim Burton, The Design Museum

The Wick Culture - Chila Kumari Singh Burman, Tattooed In Places You'd Love To Lick, 1990s
Courtesy of the artist
The Wick List

Viewing Chila Kumari Singh Burman Compton Verney

The Wick Culture - Meriem Bennani, Orian Barki, John Michael Boling and Jason Coombs
2 Bouchras in Flip-Flops, 2024
Courtesy of the artists
The Wick List

Viewing Meriem Bennani: For My Best Family

The Wick Culture - Morita Shiryu (1912-1998) | Fuku | Showa period, 20th century
The Wick List

Viewing Asian Art Week London

The Wick Culture - Barbara Walker, The Sitter, 2002 © Barbara Walker.
All rights reserved, DACS/Artimage 2024.
The Wick List

Viewing Barbara Walker Being Here

The Wick Culture - Lee Miller dehusking corn in the garden of Farleys House, East Sussex, circa 1960
Roland Penrose/Lee Miller Archives
The Wick List

Viewing Lee, Directed by Ellen Kuras