Design Museum To Mark Barbie's 65th Anniversary With Major Exhibition
Featuring dozens of rare and unique items from the archives in California.
The Design Museum in London is set to unveil an extensive exhibition dedicated to the history of Barbie, coinciding with the doll’s 65th anniversary in 2024. The showcase, three years in the making, will delve into the design evolution of one of the world’s most iconic toys.
In an exclusive partnership with Mattel Inc., the Design Museum has gained special access to the vast Barbie archives in California. The exhibition will feature dozens of rare and unique items from the archives, alongside key loans and acquisitions.
Curated by Danielle Thom, the display will trace Barbie’s legacy, which began in 1959 when Ruth Handler aimed to create a different narrative for her daughter, Barbara. It will explore Barbie’s impact on various design aspects, including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design.
Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of the Design Museum, shared in a statement: “I am delighted that we can announce that we’re planning to mark Barbie’s 65th birthday with a major exhibition and I want to thank Mattel for collaborating with us through their extensive archive to help us tell this story. 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.”
The exhibition will open at the Design Museum on July 5, 2024. Watch this space as we learn further details.
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