BARBIE: A CULTURAL ICON; 65 YEARS OF FASHION AND INSPIRATION @ MAD MUSEUM

Barbie in a ball gown in @MadMuseum's Barbie: A Cultural Icon exhibit

Growing up in the 80s, Barbie was more than a doll--she was beautiful, stylish and a symbol of endless possibilities. Ready for adventure with coiffed hair, convertible and handsome Ken in tow, Barbie could be anything--a doctor, an astronaut or the belle of the ball. Even for a tomboy like me, the idea of speeding off into the sunset in a shiny corvette seemed exciting. Now, six and a half decades after her debut, the Museum of Arts and Design celebrates the iconic doll's timeless appeal with a tribute exhibit, Barbie: A Cultural Icon. Keep reading for a look inside.

STYLE SNAPS : BARBIE'S FASHION EVOLUTION

Dolls of the World Collection Big Ben Barbie (2010) and Russia Barbie (2010)

Before the July 4th festivities, I take a lap around the store to grab last minute groceries. In passing, I do a double take of the clearance shelf--partly from the oddity of seeing a Barbie doll (unheard of, as I'm outnumbered 3 to 1 in my mostly-male household) and mainly because the outfits catch my eye. For years, Barbie was the ultimate impersonation of America with her casual clothes, blonde hair and cheery features. I grew up choosing toy cars over dolls; Bikini-clad Barbie had no chance up against a cement mixer or a '57 micro machine Bel Air reversible. To me, toy cars had more character and a distinctive style--Barbies were cookie cutter and overly dainty. Two decades later, as my tastes in clothing evolve from tomboy to trendy, seeing these "international" Barbies is somewhat exciting. It's almost as if both Barbie and I grew up (in age and in style) and experienced the world a little bit!