This exhibition as well as being filled with plenty of nostalgia, also makes a strong case for the doll’s cultural impact.
While wondering around this compact and enjoyable exhibition that pays a lot of attention to detail, prepare to overhear plenty of people reminiscing about which era of Barbie that they grew up with and the games they used to play with the doll.
But as well as nostalgia, this exhibition also examines her design and the way in which the doll developed to reflect the changing society as decades move on and the surprising power Barbie (with Ken and her other friends also getting a look in) has had in helping inform children about the world around them through play.
Everything that you could possibly want to see on display is shown: the dazzling cars, the fashionable outfits (which had to be made exactly to measure for each doll – not an easy task), the Dreamhouses and of course the dolls themselves. Taking us through a journey of 65 years, the exhibition reveals how the brand of Barbie has evolved through design and the absolutely painstaking process to create the beloved doll.
There are moments in which the exhibition feels as though it is too focused on the success of the brand Mattel (I was surprised that not more attention was paid to Ruth Handler who discovered there was a market for a doll like Barbie in the first place). Equally, for an exhibition that has the message that play unlocks children’s imagination the lack of interactive aspects feels a bit of a missed opportunity for adults visiting to unlock their imaginations.
This being said, it is clear that curators have had a lot of fun putting this exhibition together. In terms of layout and design, it captures the spirit and brand of Barbie extremely well, with one section a rainbow of colourful display cases containing an individual doll to showcase the evolution of Barbie’s design. It was fascinating to explore the way in which design techniques allowed to increase what Barbie was possible of including more movement – and even speaking.
There is a whole sense throughout the exhibition that it is a real celebration of how Barbie has and will continue to celebrate diversity to offer many children playing with the doll these days to see themselves and through them encourage their dreams of the future. This might come across as a little heavy handed – but actually it is all done in the most playful way possible.
No stone has been left unturned here and although some might wish for the exhibition to go on and on, the tight conciseness of the exhibition means that visitors are suitably left satisfied. It finishes on a high with a room that focuses on her continuing impact on fashion and culture – including a photograph of Andy Warhol who painted his muse Billyboy in the guise of Barbie, a vogue magazine cover, retro handbags and of course last year’s hugely successful film are all referenced to.
Barbie: the exhibition does feel like a genuine celebration of the doll and her cultural impact. It will leave you feeling nostalgic and a deeper appreciation to the impact Barbie has had on generations of children – she is so much more than a doll.
By Emma Clarendon
Barbie: The Exhibition is on display at the Design Museum until the 23rd February 2025.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐