Barbie may only be 11.5” of plastic, but the childhood doll has a remarkable history reflecting—and sometimes questioning—the changing values of our society. An exhibition at London’s Design Museum, “Barbie: The Exhibition,” is now reminding us of just that fact. On the back of the Barbie-mania that defined 2023 thanks to the eponymous film, the show stresses the breadth of design, fashion and architectural innovation that this youthful companion has long exemplified.
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“Design has been at the heart of Barbie’s story ever since her creation sixty-five years ago,” Tim Marlow, CEO of the Design Museum, tells Observer. “As we’ve seen recently, her impact has also evolved with each new generation.”
With 250 objects and 180 dolls, it’s the first time a major U.K. museum has mounted a comprehensive show dedicated to the figurine. Mattel Inc., the longstanding makers of Barbie, partnered with the Design Museum, giving them carte blanche access to their Californian archives. Rare original dolls, forgotten toy accessories and archival design plans are just some of the prized pieces sourced from Barbie-land.
“Barbie is arguably one of the most globally recognized examples of world-building through product and graphic design,” says show curator Danielle Thom. “In turn, she has inspired many designers and artists to respond to her history.”
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The namesake doll is only part of the history here, from its beginnings as a........