Barbiecore: What it is and how to create the look
Barbiecore, the captivating and ultra-feminine aesthetic inspired by our beloved fashion doll, Barbie, continues to assert its dominance among fashion enthusiasts. As the ultimate trendsetter and risk-taker since her inception in the 1950s, Barbie's influence has only intensified in the post-pandemic era, with luxury fashion designers and celebrities alike embracing the allure of this rose-coloured aesthetic known as 'Barbiecore.'
One cannot overlook the reasons behind the style's meteoric rise. Greta Gerwig's highly-anticipated feminist retelling of Barbie in her upcoming film has taken the zeitgeist by storm. Memes featuring Ryan Gosling as Ken and Margot Robbie donning mesmerizing Barbie-inspired looks flood our social media feeds. However, it's not just the playful and kitschy interpretations of Barbie's iconic silhouettes in the film that have contributed to the Barbiecore hashtag amassing over 76.9 million views (and counting) on TikTok.
Across the fashion landscape, designers and fans alike are embracing a nostalgic and exuberant approach to channelling Barbie's high-fashion and hyper-pink style. In this article, we delve into the ascent of Barbiecore and unveil the deeper significance behind this trend. Barbie has long served as a wellspring of inspiration for fashion lovers and designers, and it's not difficult to comprehend why.
The all-American Malibu babe, with her beachy blonde locks, private jet, and extensive collection of outfits and accessories, transcends mere child's play. She embodies the American dream, epitomizes beauty standards, and represents opulence. She exudes affluence, fully aware of her privileged status.
On the flip side, Barbie also stands as a feminist icon, symbolizing women's liberation and independence (despite simultaneously perpetuating unrealistic body standards, which we'll address later). While the Barbiecore aesthetic undoubtedly embraces the pink-centric, jet-setting lifestyle associated with the doll franchise, it extends beyond donning an all-pink ensemble and calling it a day.
Barbiecore is rooted in aspiration—it's what propelled the doll to unparalleled popularity. Barbie possesses the dream house, dream boyfriend, and dream lifestyle. She epitomizes the male gaze, the embodiment of "all girls want to be her, all guys want to be with her." Enthusiasts of Barbiecore understand that dressing like Barbie entails adopting a lifestyle—a mindset reminiscent of our Y2K icons like Paris Hilton and the Mean Girls clique, aptly called 'The Plastics.'
Now, Margot Robbie's portrayal of Barbie in the forthcoming film introduces a new generation to the captivating allure of the Barbie aesthetic, invigorating it with fresh zeal and energy. With the movie set to offer a feminist perspective on the character, we can only hope that real-life portrayals of Barbie and Ken won't regress into promoting harmful beauty standards and extreme measures for attaining snatched waists.
CELEBRITIES & FASHION HOUSES EMBRACING BARBIECORE
Naturally, as Barbiecore saturates the mainstream, it was only a matter of time before it graced the runways. Moschino paid homage to the Mattel doll by dedicating their SS/15 collection to her, showcasing campy silhouettes, vibrant color palettes, and bold patterns that would make the Memphis Group envious.
Valentino's PP Pink collection from the previous year also paid tribute to Barbie's beloved color. Not only was Valentino's collection one of the most revered of the FW/23 season, but Pierpaolo Piccioli's nostalgic yet contemporary creations have been embraced by the celebrity style set. Gigi Hadid rocked a Valentino ensemble on the red carpet, while Cardi B stunned at the 2023 Met Gala in another exquisite Barbiecore-inspired outfit. However, it's not just Valentino venturing into this familiar and serotonin-boosting style.
Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox, attending the premiere of the aptly titled documentary "Life In Pink," defied expectations for the modern-day Ken and Barbie with their punk-rock twist on the iconic sweethearts. Whether they were channeling "Halloween Barbie" or "90s Rave Barbie," their matching Chet Lo and Nensi Dojaka ensembles proved that Barbiecore transcends subcultures. A punk Barbie challenging conventions and championing emerging independent labels? We wholeheartedly embrace this concept. Undoubtedly, Barbiecore has firmly established its presence and is here to stay. The release of the Barbie film in July 2023, along with its subsequent press tour, will undoubtedly reignite the fervor surrounding this trend.