Exhibition Last chance to see
Barbie®: The Exhibition
A major exhibition exploring the design evolution of one of the world’s most famous dolls: Barbie®. Journey into the Barbie universe and discover over 250 remarkable objects, with rare, unique and innovative dolls dating from 1959 to the present day.
Please note, Barbie: The Exhibition is very popular. We strongly recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. Don't forget that Members can visit at any time.
Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum
Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum
Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum
Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum
Barbie: The Exhibition 2024 © Jo Underhill for the Design Museum
1959 Barbie No. 1 © Mattel, Inc.
1992 Totally Hair Barbie photographed by Petra Rajnicova for the Design Museum
2016 Barbie Fashionista Blue Brocade ©Mattel, Inc.
1985 Day to Night Barbie © Mattel, Inc.
2016 Barbie Fashionista Sweetheart Stripes ©Mattel, Inc.
1973 Barbie Doctor ©Mattel, Inc.
1962 Barbie Dream House © Mattel, Inc.
1961 Austin Healy. © Mattel, Inc.
What to expect
Opening to coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Barbie brand in 2024, the exhibition explores the story of Barbie through a design lens, including fashion, architecture, furniture and vehicle design.
Highlights include a rare first edition of the very first doll released by Mattel in 1959 (‘Number 1 Barbie’), the groundbreaking Day to Night Barbie from 1985 and the best-selling Barbie of all time, 1992’s Totally Hair Barbie which sold over 10 million across the globe.
Other dolls highlight the diversity of the Barbie range, with examples of the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to bear the Barbie name, as well as dolls that reflect today’s diverse, multicultural society, including the first Barbie with Down syndrome, the first to use a wheelchair, and the first to be designed with a curvy body shape.
We're also showcasing the friends of Barbie, including her first friend, Midge, and the much-loved Christie and Teresa; as well as the younger sister of Barbie, Skipper. There’s a section dedicated to Ken, displaying six decades’ worth of Ken dolls on show, showing his evolution from his introduction in 1961.
Other objects from this historic brand such as Dreamhouses, vehicles and furniture are on show, including the first ever Barbie Dreamhouse™ from 1962. Together these items show how Barbie’s homes, vehicles and other products have all helped to design the universe in which she exists and has always reflected the tastes and trends of day, engaging with modern design in an aspirational but accessible way.
#BarbieTheExhibition
From the Press
★★★★ The Guardian
'a riot of pink that makes you think... Barbie: The Exhibition is fun, glossy, nostalgic, escapist and just the thing for summer holidays'
★★★★ The Times
'It's fantastic... you do not need to be a Barbie fan to enjoy'
Wallpaper*
'a joyful celebration of fashion, play, design and girlhood'
★★★★ Time Out
BOOK ONLINE
Booking information
Adult tickets from £14.38
Children aged 6 to 15 from £7.19
Under 6s go free
Concession/Student tickets from £10.77
Please note that Barbie: The Exhibition is very popular. We strongly recommend booking tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the day. You can also buy tickets at the museum, subject to availability.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our terms & conditions page for further information.
If you can't attend, you can upgrade your ticket to Membership, which gives you unlimited access to our exhibitions at any time.
How to upgrade to Membership?
All you need to do is purchase one of our Membership tiers, then contact the team via membership@designmuseum.org stating your 'Exhibition Ticket Reference Number' and 'Membership Order Confirmation', so they can refund your exhibition ticket. Please note that our Membership offers are annual and non-refundable.
• The museum accepts digital/card payments only, including ticket desk, shops and cafes.
• ICOM cardholders, please contact bookings@designmuseum.org for information on how to book your ticket.
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MEMBERS GO FREE
Members enjoy unlimited free entry to all exhibitions, even when tickets are sold out. If you're a member, there is no need to book in advance, just turn up with your digital membership card. Become a Member to enjoy a whole year of unlimited access to all our exhibitions, plus discounts in our public programme, shops and cafes.
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OPENING TIMES
The museum opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00. On some weekends, this exhibition will be open until 20:00. Please check our
Opening times page for further information.
Exhibition Shop
Shop our pink range
In homage to 'Barbie: The Exhibition', we've curated a dreamy edit of pink and pastel home décor, accessories and more, available to buy onsite and in our online shop. Visit the DESIGN MUSEUM ONLINE SHOP to discover the pink selection. Please note that official Barbie products can be purchased exclusively in our High Street Kensington shop, which has been transformed into a haven for all things Barbie-inspired. Card payment only. The shops will remain open until 20:00 on the late opening days listed above.
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Explore the past, present and future of design through a programme of exhibitions and learning events.
Barbie © 2024 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.