The Press Release:
This fall, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) presents Barbie®: A Cultural Icon, in collaboration with Illusion Projects and Mattel, Inc., a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. The major exhibition first debuted in 2021, welcoming thousands of visitors in both Phoenix and Las Vegas. Barbie®: A Cultural Icon marks its exclusive East Coast engagement at MAD, celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Barbie.

On view from October 19–March 16, 2025, the exhibition charts the 65-year history of Barbie and the doll’s global impact on fashion and popular culture through an expansive display of more than 250 vintage dolls, life-size fashion designs, advertisements and other ephemera, exclusive video interviews with the doll’s designers, and narrative sections that highlight the style trends, careers, and identities that Barbie has embodied and popularized over the decades.

“We are tickled ‘pink’ to welcome Barbie to the MAD this fall,” said Tim Rodgers, Nanette L. Laitman Director, Museum of Arts and Design. “The Museum has long been interested in the cultural impact of art and design in all spheres, including pop culture. More than simply a toy for make-believe and role play, Barbie has responded to and reflected nearly every significant social advancement over the last six decades.”
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