Just when you thought Barbie-mania was over, a huge new exhibition about the famous toy has been announced, opening at the Design Museum in July 2024.
Believe it or not, the fresh-faced doll turns 65 this year, something that's being celebrated with this major show, which charts Barbie's evolution — not just in fashion but also in architecture, furniture and vehicle design. The exhibition has been three years in the making.
Museum curators worked in partnership with Mattel Inc, and were given special access to the Barbie archives in California. We're promised 'dozens of rare and unique items' on display. 180 dolls feature in the exhibition, including a rare first edition Barbie from 1959, and the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie name, as well as the first Barbie with Down syndrome, and the first to use a wheelchair.
And at an educated guess, a lot of it will be pink.
The Barbie exhibition is at the Design Museum, 5 July 2024-23 February 2025. Tickets are on sale now.
