Mattel is celebrating the 65th anniversary of the iconic Barbie this year and marking the doll’s first appearance at New York Toy Fair on March 9, the company unveiled two limited edition commemorative versions.
The Barbie 65th Blue Sapphire Anniversary Dolls are the latest thrust in the year-long celebrations that have also seen new Role Models announced, including the UK’s very own Dame Helen Mirren.
The limited edition dolls reference the original look of Barbie, while the black and white gowns are a nod to the monochrome swimsuit the first doll wore.
Barbie made her debut alongside creator Ruth Handler in the Big Apple’s big toy fair on March 9 1959 and, at the time, handler said: “My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices.”
The new arrivals came as the Design Museum revealed more details about the summer exhibition charting the life and times of Barbie, due to take place at its London premises from July.
“My whole philosophy of Barbie was that through the doll, the little girl could be anything she wanted to be. Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices“
Barbie Creator Ruth Handler
Barbie: The Exhibition will feature the aforementioned first Barbie, as well as rare and unique items and prototypes and some of her most iconic looks over the years, taking in more than 180 dolls and scores of accessories and more.
Tim Marlow, director and CEO of the Design Museum said: “Design has been at the heart of Barbie’s story ever since her creation 65 years ago. And as we’ve seen recently, her impact has also evolved with each new generation. Visitors to our timely exhibition will come face-to-face with some of the most important and recognisable iterations of Barbie from across the past six-and-a-half decades, and we hope it will be a joyful, fascinating, inspiring, illuminating and even perhaps nostalgic experience for generations of Barbie fans.”
Danielle Thom, curator of Barbie: The Exhibition at the Design Museum, said: “The Barbie universe is expansive and exciting, and it’s thanks to the meticulous work of talented designers over the past 65 years. Barbie is arguably one of the most globally recognised examples of world-building through product and graphic design, and in turn she has inspired many designers and artists to respond to her history. The design story of Barbie is a rich topic for our museum to put under the spotlight.”
Kim Culmone, SVP of design for Mattel, said “Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has become an international icon and inspiration that continues to spark conversation, creativity, and self-expression around the world. This exhibition will tell the story of Barbie through a design lens including fashion, architecture, furniture, and vehicle design, which are all spaces where she has left a mark on culture during her remarkable 65-year career. We can’t wait for fans and audiences to experience this exhibition with the renowned Design Museum this July’.
