Barbie®: The Exhibition opens in Scotland for the first time at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Barbie: The Exhibition opens at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on Saturday 13 June, bringing more than 250 objects exploring over 67 years of Barbie history, fashion, design and cultural impact to Scotland for the first time.
Presented by Glasgow Life in partnership with the Design Museum, London and Mattel Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), the exhibition transforms the lower gallery at Kelvingrove Museum – one of Scotland’s most visited attractions – into a celebration of one of the world’s most recognisable dolls and the global phenomenon the Barbie brand has become.
Running until 18 October 2026, Barbie: The Exhibition traces the evolution of Barbie from its 1959 debut to the present day, through a rich display of dolls, fashions, Dreamhouses, vehicles, accessories and rare archive material.
Visitors will also gain behind-the-scenes insight into the design innovation, craftsmanship and creative processes that have shaped the doll across generations helping Barbie remain culturally relevant for more than 67 years.
Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Barbie: The Exhibition to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and are proud to be the first venue in Scotland to host this major exhibition.
“Barbie has inspired generations through fashion, creativity, ambition and play, and this exhibition gives visitors the opportunity to explore that remarkable story in fresh and surprising ways.
“From rare early dolls and Dreamhouses to fashion, design and pop culture moments, there is something for everyone to discover. We know this exhibition will be one of the standout cultural experiences of the summer attracting visitors from across Glasgow, Scotland and beyond.”
Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of the Design Museum, said: “Design has been at the heart of the Barbie story ever since the creation of the first doll 67 years ago and the impact has evolved with each new generation. Before we opened the exhibition at the Design Museum in 2024, we expressed the hope that it would be a joyful, fascinating, inspiring, illuminating and even nostalgic experience for generations of Barbie fans – and it was all those things and more, with public interest exceeding even our confident expectations.
"I have no doubt that in another world-class museum in Glasgow this engagement will continue and we look forward to seeing both the exhibition re-staged and new audiences encountering a re-framed cultural icon.”
Among the exhibition’s most remarkable objects is a rare, original hand-painted Number 1 Barbie from 1959.
It is the first of more than 150 dolls on display, charting the evolution of Barbie through decades of design and cultural change. Highlights include iconic dolls such as 1971’s Sunset Malibu Barbie, 1985’s Day to Night Barbie and the best-selling Totally Hair Barbie from 1992.
From early milestone dolls to the first Black, Hispanic and Asian dolls to carry the Barbie name, the exhibition explores how Barbie has grown to better reflect the world around her. These are displayed alongside more recent designs that broaden representation, including the first Barbie with Down Syndrome and the first Barbie in a wheelchair, showing how the brand has continued to adapt to reflect changes in society and culture.
Fashion, architecture and interiors are central themes throughout the exhibition, with dozens of original outfits on show together with Dreamhouses and accessories that chart changing trends in style, design and modern living over the past six decades.
The wider world of Barbie is also explored, with a dedicated section on Ken and his evolution since debuting in 1961. Visitors can also view original Barbie outfits up close, including standout couture collaborations that highlight the creativity behind the brand’s design history.
The final section explores how the brand’s influence has reached beyond play, examining Barbie as a global cultural icon with continuing impact on fashion, film, creativity and popular culture.
As one of Europe’s leading cultural cities, Glasgow is renowned for staging major exhibitions and experiences across art, design, music and popular culture. Barbie: The Exhibition adds to an exciting summer programme across the city and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the exhibition in the iconic surroundings of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Barbie: The Exhibition is a partnership between the Design Museum and Mattel Inc. The exhibition opens at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on 13 June 2026. Tickets are available at www.glasgowlife.org.uk/barbie.