Barbie: A Cultural Icon Exhibition takes visitors from 1959 to the present day, showcasing an evolution of fashion and societal changes through Barbie, a children’s toy doll created to empower and delight young girls. A true reflection of culture, notably through Barbie’s fashion trends and career choices, there’s no other object like Barbie that can serve as such an iconic time capsule from the past and a cheerleader for women everywhere today.
Covering six decades of the toy’s history, visitors will explore a world of Barbie fashion history. The exhibition is created for everyone and has been enjoyed by multiple generations offering moments of nostalgia, delight, and inspiration to all ages.
Created and toured by Illusion Projects Inc., curated by Karan Feder, in partnership with Mattel Inc., and distributed by Dala Projects. Explore Illusion Projects’s work here.
Key objects & Experiences
60 years of Barbie with 250 dolls, outfits, and accessories
The original 1959 Barbie with her 12 original ensembles
The original Barbie Dreamhouse
Full size 1984 Corvette in mirror pink
Andy Warhol’s Barbie, Portrait of BillyBoy (facsimile)
Barbie’s Dreamhouse photo op
“Behind the Seams” Barbie prototyping experience
Video interviews and original video advertisements
Barbie Box promotional photo ops for Barbie and Ken
exhibit specifications
5,000 - 9,000 sqft
Now on tour, available to museums
tour itinerary
August 4 - September 10, 2023 - TELUS Spark Science Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
February 14 - July 7, 2024 - Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona
AVAILABLE August - September 2024
October 16, 2024 - March 16, 2025 - Museum of Arts and Design, New York City, New York
April 4 - September 1, 2025 - Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
AVAILABLE September/October 2025 and onward