Barbie Expo: A Magical Exhibition of Haute Couture, Montreal, Canada

Montreal, Canada is the new home of Barbie Expo, a toy exhibition where haute couture, world-renowned designers, and Mattel’s iconic Barbie doll co-mingle.

The Friday Five

Elizabeth Kondruss, Barbie Collector

Elizabeth Kondruss talks about her Barbie collection – possibly the world’s largest – and how she approaches managing all the things that go along with it.

Barbie from Mattel (1959)

The first commercial for Barbie aired on the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959. The doll made its debut at the American International Toy Fair in New York on March 9, 1959.

Barbie Dream House from Mattel (1960)

A 1960 television commercial for the Barbie Dream House from Mattel. It’s retro-chic!

Then & Now: Barbie Dream House

When you’ve had upwards of 140 job changes over 50+ years in the workforce, you surely need a posh place to live. Since her debut in 1959, the Barbie Dream House has always reflected design trends of the day – and now rivals some of the “McMansions” of today. Will there be a downsizing in her future?!?