Mattel has partnered with the Design Museum London to launch an exhibition exploring the story of Barbie™ ahead of her 65th celebration year. Curated by Danielle Thom at the Design Museum, the exhibition will open on 5 July 2024. Drawing from the extensive archives of the Barbie brand, it is set to offer a unique experience for all ages.

The exhibition will map the Barbie legacy from its beginning in 1959 with Ruth Handler, a mother who wanted a different narrative for her daughter, Barbara. Ruth wanted her daughter to break down barriers and write her own story. And so, Barbie was born. Now, almost 65 years later, this exhibition prepares to tell the story of Barbie and the millions of stories she helped inspire.

 

 

Commenting is Julie Freeland, Senior Director of Global Location Based Entertainment at Mattel. “We are delighted to announce this partnership with The Design Museum and are excited to share the story of the brand’s evolution. Barbie is a brand that has been loved the world over for nearly 65 years. This is the perfect moment to reflect on the cultural role Barbie has had throughout the decades. And what better partner is there for this moment than the world’s leading museum on contemporary design.”

Also commenting is Tim Marlow, director and CEO of the Design Museum. “Barbie is one of the most recognisable brands on the planet and as we’ve seen recently, her story evolves with each new generation. I am delighted we can announce that we’re planning to mark Barbie’s 65th birthday with a major exhibition.

“I want to thank Mattel for collaborating with us through their extensive archive to help us tell this story. We look forward next year to displaying a whole range of eye-catching objects, some familiar but many never seen before, to showcase the evolution of design across the decades of Barbie’s world.”