Barbie^®: The Exhibition

Opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand in 2024, the exhibition explores the story of Barbie through a design lens, including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design.

Highlights include a rare first edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959 (‘Number 1 Barbie’), the groundbreaking Day to Night Barbie from 1985 and the best-selling Barbie of all time, 1992’s Totally Hair Barbie which sold over 10 million across the globe.

Other dolls highlight the diversity of the Barbie range, with examples of the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie name, as well as dolls that reflect today’s diverse, multicultural society, including the first Barbie with Down syndrome, the first to use a wheelchair, and the first to be designed with a curvy body shape.

We're also showcasing the friends of Barbie, including her first friend, Midge, and the much-loved Christie and Teresa; as well as the younger sister of Barbie, Skipper. There’s a section dedicated to Ken, displaying six decades’ worth of Ken dolls on show, showing his evolution from his introduction in 1961.

Other objects from this historic brand such as Dreamhouses, vehicles and furniture are on show, including the first ever Barbie Dreamhouse™ from 1962. Together these items show how Barbie’s homes, vehicles and other products have all helped to design the universe in which she exists and has always reflected the tastes and trends of day, engaging with modern design in an aspirational but accessible way.

#BarbieTheExhibition

★★★★ The Guardian

'a riot of pink that makes you think... Barbie: The Exhibition is fun, glossy, nostalgic, escapist and just the thing for summer holidays'
★★★★ The Times

'It's fantastic... you do not need to be a Barbie fan to enjoy'
Wallpaper*

'a joyful celebration of fashion, play, design and girlhood'
★★★★ Time Out

During your visit, ask a member of staff for a printed copy of the Large Print Guide or Sensory Map or download digital versions via the links below. Visit our Access page for further access information.

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