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The highly anticipated exhibition in collaboration with Mattel and desig- ned by Sam Jacob Studio at the Design Museum in London today unveils the dolls, dresses and dream houses of its major Barbie exhibition.
A rare first edition of the 1959 doll, 250 Barbie® objects, more than 180 remar- kable dolls, the prototype of the talking Barbie from 1968, the first Barbie to move and the famous Barbie Totally Hair trace the evolution of the design over 65 years of the most famous doll in the world. Barbie was even taken into space by astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti and is here on Earth but still a «star».
Barbie’s appearance has changed according to cultural changes around diversity and representation. Her universe has also expanded to closely resemble fashion, design and social habits over the ages.
From a pink business suit to an elegant evening gown, a swimsuit, a surfer’s outfit, a golfer’s outfit or a surgeon’s outfit, Barbie has always led an exciting life with her friends Midge, Christie, Teresa, her younger sister Skipper and Ken, her eternal love, who appeared in 1961.
Examples of the first black, Hispanic and Asian Barbie dolls reflect today’s diverse and multicultural society. To accommodate all the differences, there is also the first Barbie with Down syndrome, the first to use a wheelchair and the first to be designed with a “curvy” figure.
1984 Peaches ‘N Cream Barbie. © Mattel, Inc