Think Pink
How to be a Barbie (guy or) girl in a Barbiecore world.
According to Mean Girls, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink”. But we believe the other six days of the week call just as strongly for pink ‘fits.
Forget grey, this season it’s all about 50 shades of fuschia. It all kicked off with Kim Kardashian hitting the SNL stage in a hot pink velvet catsuit before Megan Fox rocked rose-tipped tresses (and a complementary metallic pink crop top and matching mini skirt). Then Lizzo went flamingo-chic — wearing a bedazzled balaclava and bikini to announce her album tracklist.
But, it really became official when Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling broke the internet with leaked photos from their roles in Greta Gerwig’s new movie showcasing all things Barbie. Think 80s-inspired neon activewear, rollerskates and Ken’s classic combos of cropped sweaters and short shorts — making it clear it’s going to be practically impossible to escape the power of pink this summer.
The Origins
Beyoncé. Britney. Barbie.
When it comes to single-name celebs who can influence what we wear, do and even eat, they don’t come much more iconic than everyone’s favourite plastic doll.
Sure, Queen Bey may have encouraged us to “quit our jobs”, but Ms Mattel is responsible for singlehandedly convincing millions before her to change theirs — holding over 200 careers ever since she was created in 1959. Today, Barbie’s influence extends beyond employment opportunities, with the blonde bombshell continuing to inspire fashion, beauty and lifestyle trends with her signature bright and bubbly aesthetic.
In Action
If you’re brave enough to get on board with bubble gum-coloured hair, rest assured your locks will absolutely rock this season. But if you’d prefer to ease into Barbiecore in a more subtle way, our suggestion is to start with a pair of false lashes (and even longer nails), a pretty pink pout or a flush of blush across your cheeks. Oh, and don’t be scared of a little sparkle. Our beloved blonde babe was never afraid to leave a little glitter behind, so nor should you.
Come on Barbie. Let’s go party! According to the iconic lyrics of Aqua’s hit song ‘Barbie Girl’, life in plastic is fantastic — a fun and very apt approach to embracing everything Barbiecore. Put on your rose-coloured glasses and celebrate simpler times with nostalgic activities and old-school-inspired accessories. Kick off with a quick karaoke session, rock a pair of retro roller blades and capture the whole experience on a vintage camera that would make Ms Mattel proud.
Take your inspiration from the world’s most iconic blonde babe (sorry Paris Hilton) and plate up in pink. Stop and smell the rosé — and have a sip while you’re at it — before indulging in cute and kitsch sweet treats such as frosted pink cupcakes, scoops of strawberry gelato, pitaya-tinted smoothie bowls and indulgent ice cream sundaes.
Sitting on the opposite side of the Little Black Dress on the style spectrum is Schiaparelli Pink — the shocking shade of magenta first made popular by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli in the late 30s and 40s. Today, the influence of “the colour of love” continues to be found on contemporary catwalks, with Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli dedicating his entire Autumn/Winter 2022 collection to hot pink — even including his own Pantone-patented shade.
