A gallery assistant appears at a Barbie doll taken to house by European House Company (ESA) astronaut and Europe’s first feminine commander of the Worldwide House Station Samantha Cristoforetti (high R) in the course of the “Barbie: The Exhibition” photocall at The Design Museum in London on July 1, 2024. | Photograph by Benjamin Cremel/AFP
A Barbie that spent six months orbiting the Earth on the Worldwide House Station will go on public show for this primary time this week on the Design Museum in London.
Will probably be a part of a brand new exhibition marking the sixty fifth anniversary of the Barbie model, set to open on Friday in partnership with the doll’s creator Mattel.
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The Barbie was made to resemble Samantha Cristoforetti, the primary feminine commander of the ISS. On the mission by which she was accompanied by her lookalike Barbie, Cristoforetti grew to become the primary European girl to finish a spacewalk.
There shall be movies on show of Cristoforetti answering questions from house to encourage younger ladies to change into scientists and astronauts –- all whereas floating in zero gravity alongside the Barbie.
“We’re so excited that the primary time anybody can see Samantha’s doll because it returned from the Worldwide House Station is on the Design Museum this summer season,” mentioned curator Danielle Thom.
“Its outstanding journey on Samantha’s history-making mission 400 kilometres above the Earth was some of the dramatic moments in Barbie’s evolving story.”
Cristoforetti mentioned she was “thrilled” her Barbie would play a “starring position” within the exhibition.
Highlighting different connections between Barbie and the cosmos, there shall be a uncommon version of the primary space-themed Barbie on show.
The silver “Miss Astronaut” was Barbie’s first depiction as an astronaut launched in 1965, 4 years earlier than Neil Armstrong reached the moon.
One other Barbie in a metallic pink spacesuit on show was launched in 1985 after Sally Trip grew to become the primary American girl in house.
Different uncommon dolls will embody a prototype of the primary Speaking Barbie launched in 1968 and one of many earliest first version Barbie dolls.
Guests may count on some extra iconic collectible figurines on show, together with the Sundown Malibu Barbie and Day to Evening Barbie.
Charting the altering design of Barbie by way of time, the exhibition can even embody pals of Barbie together with Midge, and some time part devoted to Ken, Barbie’s male companion.
Ever for the reason that “Barbie” film starring Margot Robbie hit cinemas and broke field workplace information final yr, the doll has change into ever-more distinguished in in style tradition, making forays into style, music, and now design.
