For longtime fans of all things Barbie — which is currently in the middle of celebrating its 65th anniversary — Greta Gerwig’s Barbie film provided a different level of enjoyment. Filled with references to notable dolls and doll accessories from decades past, Margot Robbie’s Barbie and Ryan Gosling’s Ken wore bespoke ensembles dating back to brand’s 1959 inception.

Both Mattel’s head of design for dolls Kim Culmone and chief branding officer Lisa McKnight have reasons why Barbie has been special to them. McKnight, who described herself as living and breathing Barbie, offers, “to see the world get to know Barbie in her current form and for people that no longer play with the doll reappraise their view on Barbie because of the movie has been incredible.”

The filmmakers behind the $1.44 billion grossing movie were briefed on Barbie’s origin story and were taken to the Barbie archive at Mattel headquarters in El Segundo,...