Barnard Hangs With Barbie for Her 65th Birthday

At the alma mater of Oscar-nominated director Greta Gerwig ’06, Barnard students have a special connection to Barbie, thanks to Gerwig’s big screen reimagining of the world’s most famous doll. The magic that drew Gerwig to Barbie is what drew current Barnard community members to the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD), where the toy’s 65th anniversary is being celebrated in the exhibition “Barbie: A Cultural Icon,” on display until March 16, 2025.

On October 21, students, alongside other Barnard community members, received an exclusive look at the treasures, made possible by Francine A. LeFrak, the founder of Barnard’s new Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being. LeFrak — who is a Barnard trustee and an advocate for women’s physical, mental, and financial well-being both on and off campus — is a sponsor of the “Barbie” exhibition.

Angelic Estrella Molos ’25, a Francine LeFrak Center student ambassador, expressed her excitement at seeing the exhibition, especially with other Barnard peers. “Visiting the ‘Barbie’ exhibit was like a little escape back to childhood joy,” said Molos, a women’s, gender, and sexuality studies major. “Sharing that experience with friends reminded me how simple joys are so fundamental to wellness, and I’m so grateful for how the Francine LeFrak Center brings that focus on joy and community to Barnard.”

Amrita Singh ’25 agreed. “As an ambassador, experiencing the ‘Barbie: A Cultural Icon’ exhibition with my Barnard peers was a joyful reminder of the Francine LeFrak Center’s mission to empower women,” she said. “Barbie’s journey — as an astronaut or a business owner — mirrors our paths toward ambition. It’s inspiring to witness how Barbie encourages confidence, self-acceptance, and wellness — values that resonate deeply with our community at Barnard.”

MAD Barbie panorama — The most diverse and inclusive doll line in the world,” according to the exhibition, with more than 94 different hairstyles, more than 35 skin tones, and a wide range of body types and abilities.

“I am thrilled to support the ‘Barbie: A Cultural Icon’ exhibition, which celebrates Barbie’s evolution and her powerful influence on women of every generation in the fun and inspiring way only Barbie can,” said LeFrak. “This exhibition not only highlights Barbie’s impact on fashion, careers, and culture over the past 60 years but also aligns with our mission at the Francine A. LeFrak Foundation Center for Well-Being at Barnard — to inspire women to embrace their potential and financial well-being.”

The newly completed Francine LeFrak Center opened its doors to all Barnard community members on October 30, which transformed the first floor of Barnard Hall into state-of-the art spaces devoted to well-being, including a 4,000-square-foot fitness center. “Barbie’s journey reflects the resilience and progress women have made and reminds us that by elevating mental well-being, physical well-being, and financial fluency, we can continue to break barriers for women everywhere,” said LeFrak.

At the MAD exhibition, students were able to immerse themselves in the toy’s influence over fashion, popular culture, professional representation, and politics. “The exhibit is really extensive; I didn’t know how deep the archives go,” said Liliannie Ortiz Rodriguez ’25. “It’s cool to see the originals, like the first Ken dolls and early-on 1970s dolls.”

On view are more than 250 vintage dolls, ranging from all the iterations of Malibu Barbie to embodiments of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. A “Behind the Seams” section highlights the creative and physical processes behind doll making. Exclusive interviews with experts and fashion designers — ranging from Karl Lagerfeld to Bob Mackie — and vintage advertisements are some of the many displays informing visitors on the significance Barbie holds beyond her plastic exterior.

“I grew up playing with Barbies as a kid, [and] I love how the exhibit displays the evolution of the fashion and different outfits of the doll,” said Sara Abedi ’17, laboratory instructional support specialist in Barnard’s Physics and Astronomy Department. “I feel like Barbie has gotten a lot more inclusive, including in expressing different styles. It’s cool to see trends evolve from the ’50s to now.”

From the ’70s satin evening gown of Superstar Barbie to the silver spacesuit of Miss Astronaut Barbie and the pink blazers of Presidential Candidate Barbie, the doll has adapted to — and influenced — the zeitgeist of each decade in uncompromising pink (Pantone 219C) fashion. See below for an online tour of the exhibit.

—TARA TERRANOVA ’25

Barbie at MAD

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“Barbie #1” (1959)

Before she became the Barbie that everyone knows, her debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York was met with skepticism because she was unlike other children’s toys at the time, such as stuffed animals and baby dolls.

“Ken Arrives” (1961)

Just as Barbie was named after the daughter of the doll’s creator, Ruth Handler, Ken was named after her son, Kenneth. But rather than a sibling, Ken was introduced as Barbie’s supportive boyfriend, who accompanied her on her many adventures. And despite his eventually more famous blond hair, Ken sports a textured brunette ’do next to Barbie in the exhibit.

“Barbie Dream House” (1962)

This Dream House was equipped with mid-century modern decor — a hi-fi stereo/TV console, sleek furniture, and bright colors. The Dream House came out before women could own homes or open personal bank accounts, inspiring younger generations to imagine themselves as financially independent.

“Barbie Celebrates Women in Space” (1965)

Four years before a man stepped foot on the moon, Barbie was conquering space herself. Donning galactic gear, including a metallic suit and a space helmet, while posing with an American flag in hand, she embodied the futuristic spirit and style of the Space Age.

“Christie, First Black Doll” (1968)

Barbie’s friend Christie arrived during the Civil Rights Movement’s Black Is Beautiful cultural revolution. The doll, inspired by the fashionable looks of models Naomi Sims, Donyale Luna, and Marsha Hunt, is showcased in the exhibition wearing the vibrant ’60s fashion of florals, bold colors, and denim.

“Behind the Seams”

This section of the exhibit examines the work that goes into designing and manufacturing Barbie — from the creative development to the mechanical assembly of the 11.5-inch-tall dolls. Various Barbie prototypes are displayed alongside a sewing machine, fabric, and a retro-looking TV featuring a designer discussing the inspirations and thought processes behind pitching Barbie dolls.

Malibu Barbie and the Life-Size Recreation (1978)

This Barbie embodies the flashy, disco zeitgeist of the decade and her Malibu roots. The polyester turquoise gown, embellished with a gold belt and neckline, accompanied by a life-size mannequin, was created by designer Anthony Ferrara for Whiting & Davis.

“First Diverse Dolls Named Barbie” (1980)

Twelve years after Christie was introduced, along with other nonwhite dolls, Mattel finally created Black and Latina representations bearing the name Barbie. Reflecting different styles, Black Barbie is clad in a red sparkling dress with a thick gold necklace, while Latina Barbie is dressed in a long mesh skirt, white maiden top, and a rose necklace.

Bob Mackie’s Barbies (1998 & 1999)

As part of the many collaborations Barbie had with famous fashion designers, Bob Mackie partnered with Mattel to release limited-edition dolls. In a style similar to the many eccentric and glittery ensembles that he created for Cher, Mackie reimagined looks for the Fantasy Goddess of Asia (1998) and the Fantasy Goddess of Africa (1999), embellishing them with sparkles, feathers, and asymmetrical designs.

Dream Gap Barbies (2018)

As part of the Dream Gap Project, launched to inspire young girls to believe they can achieve anything, Mattel features dolls of famous positive and diverse role models. Displayed together are zoologist Jane Goodall, social activist and entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker, and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad.

Life-Size Corvette

The first thing visitors see when the elevator doors open is the Barbie-pink sports car grabs attention instantaneously. Featuring cushioned seats and a New York license plate reading “BARBIE,” visitors can imagine what it would be like to drive a car through Barbie Land. Just as fun is jumping into the driver and passenger seats and capturing a selfie.

“Presidential Candidate” (2024)

These “candidate” dolls are part of the latest collection of Barbie Career Dolls. They smile and wave at viewers and proudly hold signs that say “Future Leader.” Dressed in stylish pink-and-black power suits, the racially diverse Barbies aim to motivate children, especially young girls, to embrace leadership as an empowering role that every woman can hold.