The Phoenix Art Museum is currently hosting a special engagement exhibition titled Barbie: A Cultural Icon.
The exhibition offers a deep dive into the 60 plus year history of the Barbie brand and its significant impact on pop culture worldwide.
Displaying a collection of more than 250 vintage Barbie dolls, including the iconic original, sourced from private collector David Porcello and Mattel, Inc. The exhibition also highlights life- size fashion designs, exclusive interviews, and narrative sections that dive into the style trends, careers, and identities Barbie has represented over the decades.
The layout is chronological, commencing in 1959 with the debut of the first Barbie doll and progressing through each subsequent year, culminating in 2023 with the introduction of Mattel’s new Margot Robbie as Barbie doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken.
Helen Jean, The Jacquie Dorrance Curator of Fashion Design for the Phoenix Art Museum, told Northeast Valley News, “there are really fascinating things to discover about Barbie’s story along the way, but going through it by looking at the evening gowns or the accessories is a fun way of experiencing the exhibition.”
The Phoenix Art Museum added another detailed display called the The Power of Pink curated directly by Helen and her team at the museum. It is an exhibition that celebrates the color pink over the ages in several diverse ways.
The power of pink is shown through 22 different models, displaying 200 years of fashion ensembles from the 1800’s to the present. Eighteen of the ensembles came directly from the Phoenix Art Museum’s impressive archives of over 9,000 garments, dating back to the late 1700’s.
“Each garment is specifically curated to speak to how someone at different periods might construct it, or how they might draw from that power,” Jean said.
Rather than presenting a chronological history of the color, the exhibition focuses on more of a thematic layout to unite people.
Behind every garment and every Barbie doll in these exhibits lies a meticulous process that often goes unseen. The attention to detail in the dual exhibitions is a testament to the Phoenix Art Museum’s dedication to craftsmanship and innovation.
Each garment and Barbie doll is a work of art, displaying the designers and curators skill and creativity.
“The same design process theories go into fashion just as much as a painting, or a portrait, or photograph relies on those same principles in couture,” Jean said.
Moreover, the exhibitions highlight the cultural significance of Barbie and the color pink. Barbie has reflected and influenced fashion trends, societal norms, and gender perceptions over the years.
Similarly, the color pink has evolved from being associated with femininity to symbolizing empowerment and inclusivity.
Both exhibitions, Barbie: A Cultural Icon and The Power of Pink take attendees through fashion, culture, and history.
For Barbie girls and enthusiasts alike, the displays are not just about dolls and colors, but the evolution of identity, style, and empowerment.
Pink has emerged as “the new black” in the words of the fashion design curator.
“These exhibitions remind us that fashion is not just about what we wear, but how we express ourselves and shape the world around us,” Jean said.
