You do not need to be a Barbie fan to enjoy the Design Museum’s latest exhibition, which marks the doll’s 65th birthday (she’s looking really good for her age, by the way). This major new show takes a deep dive into the doll’s design evolution, from first launch in 1959 to present day, charting its changing appearance in relation to cultural shifts, as well as its ability to tap into the zeitgeist. On view are more than 250 objects, with highlights including a rare first-edition Barbie, a one-of-a-kind Talking Barbie prototype, the bestselling Totally Hair Barbie, and the Barbie that was taken into space by Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, exhibited in public for the first time ever.
