An exhibition titled "Barbie: The Exhibition" will open at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, Scotland, marking the first time such a show has been held in the country. Running from Friday until 18 October, the exhibition features over 150 dolls, including a rare hand-painted first edition Barbie from 1959, as well as the first black, Hispanic, Asian, Down's Syndrome, and wheelchair versions of the doll. It also includes Barbie Dreamhouses, vehicles, playsets, and sections devoted to Ken and Barbie's impact on fashion, film, and popular culture. The show was previously on display at the Design Museum in London.
The exhibition matters because it explores the design history and cultural impact of Barbie over 67 years, appealing to both nostalgic adults who played with the doll as children and a newer audience drawn by the 2024 blockbuster film starring Margot Robbie. As a standout cultural experience in Scotland this summer, it highlights how a commercial toy has influenced design, fashion, and popular culture, while also reflecting evolving social values through inclusive doll versions.