This summer everyone realised what the pop band ‘Aqua’ meant when they went ballyhoo with ‘Feel the Glamour in Pink’ back in 1997. The unapologetically pink aesthetic has taken centre stage as this season’s style. Pink is trending everywhere—the red carpets, Instagram, online and offline stores, theatres, and soon might even flood your closet. Credits? The upcoming fantasy film, ‘Barbie’, starring Margot Robbie.
Since the announcement of the flick, the Barbiecore trend has taken the fashion industry by storm, painting it in hues of pink. Moreover, while promoting the film, Robbie has revived the archives of some of the most iconic Barbie looks to embody an authentic representation of her onscreen alter ego.
With over 420 million views on TikTok alone, the #barbiecore aesthetic is the talk of the town. The return of the quintessential Barbiecore trend has not only received popularity in the Western fashion industry, but is also welcomed with open arms closer to home in India. Here, we break down the trend for you and give you tips on how to join the party.
What is the Barbiecore Trend?
Since the Barbie doll was introduced in 1959, the Barbiecore aesthetic represents monochromatic looks draped in hues of pink. The term is used to define the 80s-twinged and hyper-feminine clothing of Barbie wrapped in bubblegum pink. And now that the doll is no longer merely a mascot and is out of her toy box, she has become a representation of a global fashion trend.
The mini skirts, flirty crop tops, funky silhouettes, and high platform pumps are an attempt to embrace hyper-femininity and of course, evoke a pink dopamine rush.
From the Doll House to Real Life…
Taking inspiration from the doll’s kitschy outfits, fashion figures of the early aughts like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and the iconic costumes from ‘Clueless’, ‘Legally Blonde’, and ‘Mean Girls’ played an instrumental role in getting the trend some momentum. Even modern-day pop stars like Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj have often been spotted drenched in volumes of bubblegum pink referring to Barbie in their music videos.
This year’s runways and red carpets have seen an influx of Barbie-approved shades. Pierpaolo Piccioli’s 2022 Valentino’s Fall label went pink all the way and even the Grammys, Cannes and Golden Globes have been majorly influenced by the doll-to-life fashion trend.
The Indian Barbies
Even in India, our favourite celebrities have embraced the trend of Barbie pink in their fashion choices. Renowned stars like Rakul Preet Singh, Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kiara Advani, Kriti Sanon, and Alia Bhatt have all hopped on the bandwagon.
Come On Barbie Let’s Go Party
The celebrity who has made the most notable impact on the Barbiecore trend is none other than Margot Robbie, who is playing Barbie in her upcoming homage to the childhood mascot. The actress has truly embraced the doll’s iconic style in all the promotional events. Drawing inspiration from classic Barbies, she is on the way to set a sartorial influence.
By delving into the archives, the actress has made an earnest effort to bring back different eras of the doll and highlight the evolution of Barbie’s style over the years. Staying true to the details and aesthetics of each look, Robbie has accurately represented the iconic fashion moments that have made Barbie a cultural phenomenon.Her promotional looks have certainly added a layer of nostalgia and familiarity, keeping us anticipating her next fashion statement.
