The internet is obsessed with Barbiecore since the announcement of the new Barbie movie, however, its origins are even richer, and go beyond the live action by director Greta Gerwing or the 1997 song by Aqua.
From celebrities, haute couture firms and brands from all industries, they are awaiting new products to join in the maximum boom of this trends.
What is Barbie Core?
The name obviously comes from the iconic Barbie doll, but not from anyone, especially from three eras that made a difference, the 70s, 80s and 90s. Therefore, it is a daring aesthetic that has been adopted by both films and legally blonde (2001), Full size (2000) or even never kissed (1999). As well as celebrities at the turn of the millennium such as Paris Hilton, Britney Spears either anahí in Mexico, where pink from head to toe was the protagonist.
The Barbiecore is a dress code with a ‘cheesy’ touch that has a lot of pink, yes of all shades and now, it is not exclusive to women.
However, what prompted Barbiecore, 20 years later, is the live action or Barbie movie with Margot Robbie, who since its announcement we see color everywhere.
Barbiecore began its boom with Hot Pink or pink ‘Valentino’, a tone created by designer Pierpaolo Piccioli in conjunction with Pantone for the catwalk at Valentino Pink Collection in 2021. But, although it has not been the only brand, it was the first to restart the trend. It was then when the celebrities, when wearing the collection of the Italian maison, the color was officially on the map of fashion and the market in general. A trend that has been in full swing for three years and seems to only grow.
From tiny firms to haute couture designers have joined and have not left anything in the air: the Barbiecore is used from head to toe. For that reason, the trend brought great opportunities to brands of all kinds.
The story of Barbie: an icon that revolutionized the world
Barbie came into the world on March 9, 1959, by the hand of Ruth Handler, with the intention of giving girls a role model beyond being mothers. Therefore, it was the first doll that came to revolutionize the role of women in society, since they had many professions, to which it was previously unthinkable to access being female.
Over the years, she also became a fashion icon due to the thousands of outfits she wore. However, this attracted criticism for thinking about a feminine ideal, how a woman should look (blonde and blue-eyed?) And how she should be was also transmitted professionally.
For more than 60 years, Barbie it has witnessed social, cultural, aesthetic changes and a history that leaves no room for ambiguity. The world’s most famous doll continues to find new ways to inspire succeeding generations around the world, with over 180 or so professions and delivering the message that women have the power of choice.
Renewed or die
In 2018, the iconic blonde-haired, blue-eyed Barbie branched out and launched the first collection of dolls with different body types, skin tones, features and hair. After reinventing the classic Barbie doll to adapt to the new generations. Little by little they have removed the stereotyped burden that for decades was its hallmark, turning it into a friendlier product, in keeping with the trend towards inclusion and ‘body positive‘, while moving away from sexism and traditional gender roles.
This was a great effort on the part of Mattel in favor of diversity, since 1980, when the first black Barbie was introduced. Today, the Barbie Fashionista line has countless styles, including dolls with prosthetic legs or dolls in wheelchairs. In fact, the result was such that in 2020 sales skyrocketed and the company’s shares rose.
On the other hand, nowadays, Barbies are not considered exclusively for children. Barbie is closely connected to the arts and fashion, which is why it has made its market stand no matter how many years pass. Also, collecting special editions has become a very common practice all over the world. Everyone can continue to dream of having a Barbie.
Barbie’s future
Now, the Barbie movie will mark a before and after in the history of the most famous doll in the world. According to our sister site movie premierethe film faces a great challenge: “honor the legacy of the toy with which more than one generation grew up, and offer a worthy story.”
About, margot robbiethe actress who plays Barbie, commented in an interview for Vogue that:
“Of course we wanted to honor the 60-year legacy that the brand has. But we have to admit that there are a lot of people who aren’t Barbie fans. And indeed, they are not just indifferent. They actively hate Barbie. They have a problem with Barbie. We had to find a way to recognize it.”
The idea of making a film about it came from the actress herself and her production house, founded by Robbie nine years ago, luckychap. Even after reading the script, he revealed in another interview with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) that:
“The first time I read the Barbie script my reaction was ‘Oh! This is so good. Too bad it will never see the light of day, because they will never let us make this movie.’ But they did.”
Therefore, according to the reviews and comments on the film, it will generate a lot of reactions, both in the film world and in other industries in the long run.
Brands that are taking advantage of the Barbiecore
With the success of the pink trend, brands of all sizes and sectors are coming together. Of course, the first to land was Mattel himself with the special collection of toys inspired by the movie, which in turn was inspired by the doll.
However, the business has gone much further, and the company has sold various licenses for other brands to use the Barbie logo and branding on their products.
Balmain x Barbie
In early 2022, the luxury brand led by creative director, Oliver Roustingpresented a 50-piece unisex capsule modeled by Barbie, Ken and the other characters from the world of Barbie.
The collection includes off-the-shoulder sequined mini dresses, mermaid dresses, silk satin gowns, doll-like pajama sets. In addition to shoes, sweatshirts, mega bags, t-shirts and even cell phone cases.
Mariel Otero Journalist passionate about fashion, the world of beauty and the source of lifestyle. Lover of stories worth telling, series, movies and sagas. Cheesy and closet geek.