What is Barbiecore and why has it become the overarching trend of 2023
What is Barbiecore and why has it become the overarching trend of 2023
11 July 23
Barbie the Movie
Barbiecore is a hot topic, trending on social media platforms and across almost every other avenue too.
Seeping into celebrity, fashion, home decor, design and even the food and beverage sector, Barbiecore is a bubbalicious pop of colour that could be deemed the over-arching, all encompassing trending movement of 2023.
Unsurprisingly, the Barbiecore trend stems from the picture perfect blonde-haired-blue-eye doll, made famous by toy manufacturer Mattel, over 60 years ago.
Defined by the the bright, hot pink shade that will forever associated with Barbie, the Barbiecore trend pays homage to vibrancy of the iconic doll's dreamlike life through colour. This bright pink hue is also associated with ultra-femme style such has perfectly coiffed hair, long nails and high heels. Extending to an attitude and way of life, Barbiecore is also associated with positivity, perfection, fun and bubbly personality.
Barbiecore has transcended the decades, and generations to lead the way in the internationally recognised resurgence of nostalgia.
Which came first - Barbie or Barbiecore? Or more specifically, which came first, Barbie The Movie or Barbiecore. It's entirely possible the the anticipated release of Barbie The Movie snowballed into the declaration of 2023 as the year of Barbiecore.
We delve into the trickle-down effect.
The Initial Influence
Fashion
Arguably the true trickle-down debacle comes from the world of fashion, particularly as the high fashion industry embraced the Barbiecore trend at least 6 months ahead of the rest of the world, with Spring/Summer 2023 fashion shows featuring the vibrant pink colour in the last quarter of 2022. From high fashion brands such as Valentino and Versace to high-street fashion, there has been an outpouring of interest with pink clothing searches up by 148% in Q1 of 2023.
In the fashion world, Barbiecore has translated to a notion of the overtly feminine, from sparkles to butterflies, hearts and femme silhouettes, rather than one particular over riding tone of pink colour.
Did the fashion world influence the art world? Did the announcement of Barbie the Movie influence both?
Film
Undeniably, the Barbiecore trend is significantly influenced by the imminent premiere of the much-anticipated Barbie movie. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, The Barbie Movie is set to be released world wide in late July.
Pantone Colour of the Year
At the beginning of each year, Pantone announces the colour that will be most popular for the year. This colour usually feeds into both fast and slow fashion, as well as appliances, decor and more. And in 2023, Pantone announced that the 'Colour of the Year' would be Viva Magenta 18-1750. A vivid, bright pink with warmth and depth. The colour is described by Executive Director, Leatrice Eiseman as:
"It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new
signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose
exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative."
The First Trickle Down
Celebrities
Likely to be influenced by both fashion and film, celebrities around the world have whole-heartedly embraced the Barbiecore trend.
Celebrities such as Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Anne Hathaway, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Emma Chamberlain and more, have styled Barbiecore numerous times throughout the year! The trend is truly evident in Beyonce's most recent world tour, the massive stage production has included Barbiecore on a number of levels: the singer's ultra-femme, long, blonde mermaid hair, the disco glitter backdrop, the hot pink ensembles and an all-female dance troupe.
High Street Fashion
Accessible fashion brands such as SKIMS, H&M and Primark have all embraced the Barbiecore era either through trademarked collaborations or a nod to the trend with a collection of bright pink.
Make Up
With a strong link to fashion, make up and make up trends are inherently linked to the fashion industry as the creative (and more affordable) link to high fashion.
From pink casings on traditional products to various shades of newly released pink hues, to make up looks inspired by Barbie herself, Barbiecore has been fully embraced by the make up and cosmetic community.
The Secondary Trickle Down
Homewares
Notable homeware brands such as Le Creuset, KitchenAid and SMEG have all introduced lines of pink kitchen appliances. From kettles to fridges and mixers, Barbiecore is not just limited to fashion or obvious sources of inspiration and has transcended into the home in many forms.
Luggage
Traditionally solely a functional piece of equipment, luggage has seen as fashionable revival with many brands such as Beis, Rimowa and Tripp all introducing pink variations of their best selling luggage pieces, some even remaining in the core range due to popular sales of the colour.
Click here to discover six luxury luggage brands - that aren't Rimowa.
Technology
It was leaked in February of this year that the iPhone 15 Pro - set to be released in September 2023 - will be released in Bubblegum Pink (CE3B6C), this will be or the first time iPhone users will be able to purchase the phone in a true pink colour since the conception of the iPhone.
This came after the announcement of Barbie the Movie, the Pantone Colour of the Year and the Spring Summer fashion collections displayed in Q4 of 2022.
Other tech brands that seem to have been influenced by the Barbiecore trend are Oral B with the introduction of a pink electric toothbrush, GHD's bright pink hair dryer, Nintendo's light pink Switch gaming console, Beats Studio Buds in baby pink and FitBit's pink health tracker to name just a few.
The Experiences
Air BnB: Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse
The most unlikely pairing: the most iconic (and best-selling) doll on the planet and a pioneering company operating an online marketplace for short and long-term homestays and experiences.
Yet, Barbie® — arguably the world’s most iconic blonde — has officially become an AirBnB host.
Located on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse has an infinity pool with expansive views overlooking the blue seas and, is of course decorated throughout with that classic bright pink associated with the iconic doll. Straight out of your wildest pre-teen-Barbie-obsessed-imagination: this is the ultimate girly mansion.
And, to commemorate the brand’s 60th anniversary, you and three friends could be guests at Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse for just $60 a night.
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur: Barbie's Ultimate Staycation
The first of its kind in Malaysia and beyond, this is Barbie's Ultimate Staycation by Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur: a one-of-a-kind stay-and-dine concept that invites guests to live out their Barbie dreams and experience the pink side of life.
From Barbie's Pink Tea Time in a Box, to bright pink Barbie themed bedrooms, a dress up wardrobe for little ones and a Barbie emblazoned poo - this is most definitely a unique Barbiecore experience.
Choose from a Barbie Room or a Barbie Suite for the whole family, with each Barbie unit telling its own story whilst overlooking the incredible skyline of Kuala Lumpur.
Malibu Barbie Cafe
Both New York and Chicago are (for now) home to a Malibu Barbie Cafe, respectively.
Perfectly pink interiors swirled with hints sorbets, beach chairs and each cafe even has a sandy beach corner so that you can feel like you're living the Malibu life, even in the city.
Serving up Instagrammable pink drinks and cute cakes, this is going to be the spot of the summer for fans of Barbie wishing to indulge in full-on Barbiecore.
World of Barbie: Dreams Made Here
Making its US debut after a successful initial edition in Toronto, Canada, Los Angeles is now home to to the ultimate, immersive Barbie experience: this is the World of Barbie.
Discover, explore, and revel in the iconic lifestyle and many careers of Barbie through a wide selection of interactive activities. Designed for the whole family, experience every aspect of the iconic doll's life from Barbie's Sound Studio, to a Barbie Museum and a miniature version of Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse to the adventurous Barbie Interstellar Rocket and of course, a full size Barbie Campervan.
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