Barbie® at 65: London Exhibition Celebrates Icon's Evolution, Empowerment, and Inclusivity
July 3, 2024
London's Design Museum is hosting Barbie®: The Exhibition, celebrating Barbie's 65th anniversary and her impact on design.
The exhibition spans different eras, from the original 1959 Barbie to the 1998 Fashion Savvy Uptown Chic Barbie, highlighting her evolution over the past six decades.
It features over 180 dolls, including rare space-themed Barbies and unique variations like pregnant and mermaid Barbies.
The showcase explores Barbie's changing homes and wardrobe to reflect societal attitudes, displaying her progressiveness with dolls representing diverse body types and disabilities.
Barbie is promoted as a symbol of empowerment and inclusivity, with over 260 professions represented and a feminist message.
Despite criticism for promoting unrealistic body standards, the exhibit portrays Barbie as a progressive figure.
The exhibition redefines the color pink as a symbol of optimism, confidence, and feminism.
Barbie's future remains uncertain, but plans for future innovations are already in the works.
Summary based on 6 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Jul 3, 2024
Barbie: The Exhibition review – the wonder doll’s evolution, from Gehry homes to ‘gay Ken’
The Telegraph • Jul 3, 2024
Barbie The Exhibition, Design Museum, review: I was whacked by the Mattel marketing mallet
South China Morning Post • Jul 1, 2024
This Barbie has orbited the Earth – now she’s part of a new exhibition
Hürriyet Daily News • Jul 3, 2024
Barbie that went to space to go on display in London