Kelvingrove Art Gallery to host Scotland’s first ever Barbie exhibition

An exhibition which celebrates 70 years of Barbie is set to make its Scottish debut in Glasgow.

Barbie: The Exhibition will head to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum next summer, running from June 13 to October 18 in 2026.

This upcoming exhibition will explore the history and design of the dolls and celebrate the enduring influence of the brand over almost 70 years.

It will also invite visitors to follow Barbie’s legacy, beginning in 1959 when inventor Ruth Handler crafted a different narrative for her daughter, Barbara.

Glasgow Life

Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life, said the organisation is “delighted” to give visitors an opportunity to get up close to some of the most significant Barbie dolls from nearly 70 years.

“This will be the first time a Scottish museum has staged a major exhibition devoted to Barbie. Barbie is not just an icon but a creative force that has sparked excitement, ideas and conversations for decades.”

Christie added: “For generations of Barbie fans and new audiences alike, this promises to be a joyful and memorable experience.”

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 66 years ago and the impact has evolved with each new generation.

Glasgow Life

He added: “Before we opened the exhibition at the Design Museum last year 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.”

Kim Culmone, SVP of design for Mattel, said: “Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has become an international icon and inspiration that continues to spark conversation, creativity, and self-expression around the world.

She added: “This exhibition tells the story of Barbie through a design lens, including fashion, architecture, furniture, and vehicle design, which are all spaces where she has left a mark on culture during her remarkable more than 65-year legacy. We can’t wait for fans and audiences to continue to experience this exhibition with Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum next June.”

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