Villa de Moya – ‘BarbieManía: From Doll to Pop Icon’
The exhibition ‘BarbieManía: From Doll to Pop Icon’ will be on display at the House of Culture of Villa de Moya from October 5 to November 3, exhibiting nearly 200 dolls belonging to the private collection of José Luis Montesdeoca, a prominent collector Moyense and organiser of the National Barbie Convention in Spain.
Winter opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: From 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Afternoons: from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday: From 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Afternoon: Closed.
For the Department of Culture of Villa de Moya, this initiative has a double objective. On the one hand, it seeks to support and give visibility to local projects and talents, as is the case of José Luis Montesdeoca, a passionate collector and promoter of Barbie culture in Spain. And, on the other hand, promote events that reinforce positive and empowering messages for women.
The symbolic character of Barbie today, as an emblem of strength, diversity, and feminine potential, has gained even more relevance, after the release of the film starring Margot Robbie. “This film reaffirms Barbie’s role as a symbol of empowerment and adaptability, showing that she is more than a simple doll: she is a reflection of the change and evolution in the perception of femininity in society,” highlights Montesdeoca.
The exhibition offers a unique organization based on the years of manufacture of each doll, thus allowing the visitor to show the evolution of the iconic Mattel toy over six decades. Since its introduction in 1959, each Barbie model has reflected the prevailing trends of the year it was released, providing a glimpse into the evolution of femininity, fashion and empowerment over the decades.
In the 60s, the first Barbie appeared wearing an iconic striped swimsuit, setting the beauty standard of the time. During the 1970s, Barbie adopted a more liberated image, reflecting the fashion revolution and women’s liberation. The 1980s presented Barbie with more glamorous and professional styles, representing the working and successful woman. In the ’90s, the doll spanned multiple roles, from astronaut to president, reflecting the variety of careers and opportunities for women.
With the beginning of the new millennium, in the 2000s, Barbie diversified, including different ethnicities and styles that reflected the globalized society. And, in the 2010s, the doll embraced greater diversity, not only in terms of race but also in body types, offering a more inclusive and realistic representation of beauty.
One of the special attractions of the exhibition is that visitors can identify the Barbie that was trending the year she was born and commemorate that moment with a photograph.
‘BarbieManía: From Doll to Pop Icon’ invites the public to immerse themselves in this fascinating miniature world, to relive moments from their childhood and to witness the transcendental evolution of an icon that has impacted generation after generation.