Barbie: The Exhibition

High Street, Kensington

Celebrate 65 Years of Barbie with The Design Museum

From the 5th of July 2024 to the 23rd of February 2025

Following the whirlwind success of the recent Barbie Movie, peek behind the doors of the dreamhouse with the Design Museum’s bold new exhibition, celebrating 65 years of the iconic doll. While Mattel’s impact stretches across culture, film and music, this bold new exhibition places the spotlight on design, whether this be fashion, architecture or the dolls themselves. 

Marvel at the rare first edition ‘Number 1 Barbie’ from 1959 alongside groundbreaking releases like the Day to Night Barbie from the 1980s and the record-breaking Totally Hair Barbie which famously took the 90s by storm. Discover the diversity of Barbie with the first Black, Hispanic, and Asian dolls, as well as modern representations including Barbie with Down syndrome and in a wheelchair. With many of these signature dolls featured in the recent motion picture, catch a glimpse of the these iconic moments in history on our doorstep in Kensington. 

Embrace your inner ‘kenergy’ and dive into six decades of Ken dolls, tracing his evolution from classic Beach ken since his debut in 1961 to his latest iteration in the 2023 Barbie movie.

From the classic Dreamhouse to sleek vehicles and trendy furniture, immerse yourself in the universe of Barbie and witness how her world has reflected the tastes and trends of every era. Join us to celebrate Barbie’s impact on design and her enduring influence on generations past, present, and future.