Top 10 Reasons to see the Barbie®: A Cultural Icon Posted on August 25, 2024 by Lucie All that PINK in the entryway! Between the beautiful Barbie archway and the Paulucci Hall doors painted to match, there’s a lot of pink going on. Why? Because we want to create an entire vibe around coming to this exhibit. See the ORIGINAL Barbie and read her origin story This valuable doll arrives in her own protective metal briefcase and gets the white glove treatment when handled. Barbie was unlike any other toy on the shelves then, proving her skeptics wrong with her decades-long staying power. She also had 22 stylish outfits that further separated her from a baby doll. Delight your inner 9-year-old as you see Barbies you had… or seriously pined for Part of the fun of walking in the exhibition hall is hearing animated conversations as people view the cases. “I had her!” is a common refrain as are sighs over Barbie accessories, such as the original Dreamhouse on display. All told there are over 300 artifacts in the collection from ads, clothing, accessories, dolls and more. The Barbie (and Ken) Boxes With the lifesize boxes, everyone can be Barbie or Ken! The exhibit has several fun photo ops that can highlight your pink outfit! Barbie had your back when it came to careers You’re forgiven for not knowing that Barbie’s inventor, Ruth Handler, created Barbie so little girls could expand their imaginations. In fact, Barbie has had 250 careers since 1960. Culture Icon Barbie took her role as a cultural icon seriously. This meant pushing forward fashion, such as shorter hemlines, to more serious topics like race and disabilities. Barbie comes in 22 ethnicities, 35 skin tones, 97 hairstyles, 9 body types, and counting. She also marked important moments in history like the Kennedy administration and the Space Age. See the first Ken The first Ken arrived in 1961 and was ready to Beach. Behind-the-Seams videos This clever Play on Words is a video series that invites you into the creative process. There are many video screens throughout the exhibit that are completely worth your time to watch. THE BARBIE CAR! Of course, the mirror pink Barbie Ultravette is not only lifesize but interactive. You are invited to have a seat, snap a photo, and feel free to sing “Closer to Fine” to your heart’s content. Dressing up with friends This is probably the BIGGEST REASON to come to the exhibition. Gather your besties, reach for that pink outfit, and make it your whole personality. Barbie is, at its core, the celebration of the best of girlhood.
