London Barbie exhibition to feature first-edition doll

Known by collectors as the Number 1 Barbie, the sought-after doll is going to be centre stage in a new exhibition

A rare, first-edition Barbie is set to go on display at London's Design Museum to mark the 65th anniversary of the world-famous doll.

Barbie: The Exhibition will tell the story of the brand and its cultural impact through the decades.

The special doll, dating back to 1959, will be displayed alongside dozens of other "unique and innovative" Barbies.

More than 250 items will be on show, including outfits, adverts and "dreamhouses".

Known by collectors as the Number 1 Barbie, the sought-after first-edition is a traditional blonde doll in a black-and-white chevron bathing suit, and has holes in the feet where it would have been fixed to a stand.

The museum said it was thought to be the oldest Barbie doll in a UK museum collection.

Its director and CEO Tim Marlow said he hoped the exhibition would be a "joyful, fascinating, inspiring, illuminating and even perhaps nostalgic experience for generations of Barbie fans".

Tim Marlow, from the Design Museum, said he hoped the exhibition would bring back happy memories for visitors

The museum has worked in partnership with Barbie's parent company Mattel to bring in some of the pieces from its archives in Los Angeles.

There will also be a special landscape designed by Sam Joseph Studio.

Exhibition curator Danielle Thom said: "The Barbie universe is expansive and exciting, and it's thanks to the meticulous work of talented designers over the past 65 years.

"Barbie is arguably one of the most globally recognised examples of world-building through product and graphic design, and in turn she has inspired many designers and artists to respond to her history.

"The design story of Barbie is a rich topic for our museum to put under the spotlight."

'International icon'

Barbie was first launched in 1959 after its creator Ruth Handler wanted to craft a different narrative for her daughter Barbara.

Fans of Barbie will be able to look back on her creation as well as viewing Barbie through a design lens, including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design.

A one-of-a-kind talking Barbie prototype, the Totally Hair doll launched in 1968 and footage of the first Barbie TV commercial from 1959 will also be part of the event.

The 1992 Totally Hair Barbie will be among those to go on display

Even Barbie's male counterpart Ken will have a place in the museum, with his own dedicated section exploring six decades of his history.

The exhibition will provide an insight into how Barbie's looks have evolved with changing culture and offer an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Mattel's design processes.

There will be examples of the first black, Hispanic and Asian dolls, the first "curvy" Barbie, and various dolls with disabilities.

Mattel senior vice president Kim Culmone said: "Barbie has become an international icon and inspiration that continues to spark conversation, creativity and self-expression around the world.

"We can't wait for fans and audiences to experience this exhibition with the renowned Design Museum this July."

Curator Danielle Thom said: "The design story of Barbie is a rich topic for our museum to put under the spotlight"

The announcement comes after the popular live-action Barbie film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, which became the biggest film of 2023.

The film also won the Golden Globe for cinematic and box office achievement and is nominated for several Oscars, including best picture and best adapted screenplay.

The exhibition will open at the Design Museum on 5 July 2024 and runs until early 2025, with tickets on sale via the museum's website.

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