If You’re A Barbie Fan, Go to The Barbie Exhibition at The Design Museum, London – It’s Good For Barbie Followers Huge And Small
Hey doll….if you happen to’re a fan of Barbie, be sure you pay a go to to The Barbie Exhibition at The Design Museum. It’s a superb exhibition that showcases the design evolution of one of many world’s most well-known dolls.
The Barbie exhibition at The Design Museum in London contains over 250 dolls, gadgets of furnishings and equipment, courting from 1959 to the current day, and there are even a few of Margo Robbie’s costumes from the latest Barbie film.
My tweens are actually far past the taking part in with Barbies age – this appears a lifetime away! – however they actually loved it, as did I, a Eighties childhood fan of the doll (in fact!). It was among the best exhibitions we’ve seen not too long ago, and because it’s on till February 2025, right here’s why you must see it.
What’s At The Barbie Exhibition At Design Museum?
In addition to the very first doll launched by Mattel in 1959 (my 9-y-o ‘Can I’ve one?’) there’s a big show of latest, notable and outdated dolls, Barbie furnishings and equipment. All of Barbie’s mates are there – together with Skipper and Midge – and a there’s a wide array of Simply Kens.
We appreciated that it highlighted the variety of the Barbie vary, with examples of the primary Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie identify, in addition to the primary Barbie with Down syndrome, the primary to make use of a wheelchair, and the present vary of dolls with totally different physique shapes.
In addition to the dolls, the exhibition contains details about the historical past of Barbie, the design evolution and the way the dolls are made. My children often zip round museums however discovered this actually absorbing.
For any fellow Eighties infants, there’s plenty of recognisable Barbie nostalgia on show. Together with the long-lasting Eighties Peaches N Cream Barbie that I swear each woman both had, or had a good friend who had one they had been very jealous of.
For Inside Followers…Iconic Barbie Dreamhouses And Furnishings
The Barbie Exhibition additionally contains a variety of Dreamhouses, automobiles and furnishings, with a give attention to how the design mirrored the tastes and developments and mirrored present day trendy design.
I liked Barbie’s 90s ‘stylish loft’ furnishings set (with the ever present inflatable couch, in fact!)
There’s additionally a dreamy collection of doll-size design, together with this Seventies modernist masterpiece A body Dreamhouse (my dream home!).
Barbie Film Outfits
The ultimate room showcases extra trendy Barbie references, together with designer outfits, journal covers and even a few of Margot Robbie’s costumes from the latest Barbie movie (recognise this?)
What Age Is The Barbie Exhibition Appropriate For?
First off, The Barbie Exhibition is sensible for adults (I might fortunately return for an extended look). There’s a lot fascinating data mixed with recognisable nostalgia from your individual childhood, in addition to recognisable gadgets from your individual youngsters’s childhoods. The exhibition additionally appears to be like incredible – it’s designed so properly (love all of the pink and the silver wallpaper within the last room).
By way of the age it’s most fitted for youths, it is extremely a lot a toy exhibition the place you’ll be able to’t contact the toys,
With this in thoughts, the Design Museum has a cart of Barbies you’ll be able to take across the museum which I assumed was a pleasant contact.
Nonetheless I’d say it’s finest for barely older youngsters (college age and above doubtlessly!)
Do I Must Ebook Tickets In Advance?
Do you could e book tickets to the Barbie Exhibition? Sure, you could pre-book tickets and even thought it’s bee on some time, they nonetheless appear to promote out rapidly (we went on the very finish of the summer season however nonetheless needed to pre-book just a few days upfront).
Barbie tickets are round £8 for youths and £16 for adults.
What’s The Barbie Present Store Like?
The all-important query! In case your children are something like mine, they love a very good reward store – in fact – however it may be arduous to search out ones with a collection of good / helpful stuff that’s not horrendously priced.
Throughout The Barbie Exhibition, in addition to the primary Design Museum reward store – which sells the same old gadgets you’d count on from a museum – there’s additionally a separate Barbie reward store on the entrance to the museum. I used to be fairly impressed on the vary of things – in addition to the larger ticket dolls on the market, there’s a good collection of smaller and extra inexpensive toys, keepsakes and postcards.
The place Is The Design Museum?
The Design Museum is at 224–238 Kensington Excessive Road, London W8 6AG.
The closest tubes are Excessive Road Kensington, Earl’s Courtroom and Holland Park.
Discover out extra on the Design Museum web site and e book tickets right here.
Extra of our favorite London museums:
The Museum of Childhood / The Postal Museum / And Tate Trendy
