The Barbie Exhibition - The Design Museum London

Hate her, love her, or find her problematic—one thing we can all agree on is that this woman is one of the most famous on the planet. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Barbie, and she’s back in London, not long after Barbenheimer took us by storm!

Barbie was a huge part of my childhood, which is why this visit was a must on my list. There wasn’t anything Barbie-related I didn’t have. My favorite item was the Barbie laptop that I struggled to drag across the floor at Big W, begging my dad for it with what my sister would now call the “babydoll eyes.” Another favorite of mine was the Barbie Mystery PC game. I’m also pretty sure I had a ton of other Barbie toys that now live in a dusty box labeled “childhood toys.” Oh, and I had Barbie bedsheets—and wait for it... Barbie underwear!😂 I think by now you get the picture. It was Barbie’s world, and I lived in it (while singing Aqua’s Barbie Girl, of course). 😂

If I thought watching the Barbie movie would be the most nostalgic experience, I was wrong. The exhibition at the Design Museum turned out to be even more of a time machine!

Barbie was created by Mattel’s sales and marketing executive Ruth Handler, who, after spending time with her own daughter, Barbara, realized there was a gap in the market for young girls who wanted to imagine themselves as “older girls.” Ruth worked tirelessly to convince the male-dominated board of Mattel that Barbie was exactly what the toy industry needed. Understatement of the century is—she succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest expectations! Mattel has sold over a billion Barbie dolls, making it the company's largest and most profitable line.

Curated by Danielle Thorn, the exhibition at the Design Museum walks you through the evolution of Barbie as she celebrates her 65th birthday. It covers everything fromfashion and design to architecture and the changing body types of Barbie. You’ll even see the very first Barbie model, which was released in 1959. I also got to see some of the more inclusive Barbies, like the first Black, Hispanic, and Asian Barbie, as well as Down Syndrome Barbie, Wheelchair Barbie, and Curvy Barbie. Ken fans will also enjoy a mini display showcasing his own transformation and designs over the years!

But the best part of the exhibition for me was Barbie's career section. As a child, I never really grasped just how ambitious and limitless Barbie’s career choices were. I was usually more focused on the fashion side of her life than her professional pursuits. But now, looking back, I realize how inspiring she truly was. There was no role Barbie couldn’t take on. She was a president, an astronaut, and she even had her own house at a time when most women were denied the ability to own one! I know some people find her problematic and I wouldn't disagree, but she was ahead of her time—and that’s pretty inspiring. As of today, she’s had 260 careers!

Fun fact: Astronaut Barbie existed four years before man walked on the moon. Now tell me that's not impressive. 😎

This exhibition was definitely a memorable experience. It let's you relive some of the best moments of your childhood with Barbie, but also helps you, as an adult, appreciate the design, planning, and innovation behind the scenes.

If you’re a Barbie lover like me, I’d highly recommend booking your tickets ASAP—this exhibit ends next month!

You can see a quick preview of my visit to the Barbie exhibition here.