Most people in America over the age of three are likely familiar with the name Barbie. She travelled to the moon before Neil Armstrong and has been around longer than the computer mouse. Andy Warhol painted Barbie, and she has been portrayed on the runway and imitated at the Met Gala. The social fabric of the world is irrevocably woven by Barbie. Even still, we discuss her legacy as if it were about a real person. That is the extent of this doll’s influence on American culture since the late 1950s.
The hopes of countless young girls (and girls at heart) eventually came true in 2023 after several years of negotiations with Hollywood producers to create a live-action Barbie movie. However, what both children and adults didn’t anticipate was to be astounded by Barbie couture before the film’s premiere. Barbie in the movie, played by Margot Robbie, said: “I’m all Barbie from here until Barbie.” She wasn’t kidding, either. Robbie took on the task of advertising “Barbie” seriously, and the results beyond everyone’s expectations. Robbie based a large portion of her press tour clothing on real Barbie dolls and accessories.
Her take on the original Barbie
Barbie first became popular in 1959. She could be purchased at the time for only three dollars, and she was made to resemble classic Hollywood stars (like Marylin Monroe). Since then, more than one billion Barbie dolls have been purchased globally. But none of those dolls is as well-known as the original Barbie. She wore a black and white striped bathing suit with black shoes, white sunglasses, and gold hoop earrings as her first costume. She had a bold red lip and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. One of the most famous looks ever is this one.
Margot Robbie channelled Mattel’s original Barbie while marketing the movie in Australia, trying to take on the role of Barbie up until the film’s debut. The actor chose a black-and-white striped dress version rather than a bathing suit while in a professional situation (though if anyone could pull that off, it would be Robbie). She retained the remaining staples, such as coiffed hair, red lips, white sunglasses, and black heels. We’d believe you if you told us that Robbie was the inspiration for the first Barbie.
The Solo in the Spotlight re-creation
It’s difficult to believe any other actors were ever considered for the role of Barbie given how well Margot Robbie fits the part. Robbie can’t remember ever having Barbie dolls as a child, which makes it perhaps even harder to imagine. When asked about her memories of playing with the popular toy as a child, she told Vogue, “I know my cousin had a bunch of Barbies, and I’d go to her house.” Robbie made it apparent at the “Barbie” world premiere in Los Angeles that having a Barbie-free home hasn’t had any detrimental effects on her ability to so effortlessly capture the essence of the doll.
Robbie embodied a particularly specific Barbie for the occasion, one that is well-known to Barbie fans of all ages and has a stylish appearance fit for a major film premiere. The actor showed up at the premiere dressed as the 1960 Solo in the Spotlight Barbie. She wore an exact reproduction of the small dress by Schiaparelli, complete with a sequined form-fitting bodice, tulle flares at the ankles, and a red rose brooch. Robbie’s shoes, hair, lipstick, and accessories were all flawlessly coordinated in classic Barbie style. Despite the fact that the dress is black rather than Barbie’s preferred colour of pink, it was the ideal, unexpected outfit for the occasion.
The perfect Barbie ensemble paired with the quintessential convertible
Everyone is aware that without her accoutrements and resources, Barbie is nothing. And she has many of them. The doll has many options for lodging and travel, including her Malibu Dreamhouse, camper, bike and private aeroplane. However, not many of Barbie’s vehicles are as glitzy as her pink convertible. Given the glamour and iconography, it shouldn’t be shocking that the “Barbie” movie began its press run with pictures of Margot Robbie posing with the Barbiemobile while wearing an outfit that would make the real-life Barbie jealous: a pink pleated miniskirt, matching strapless pink bustier, pink high heels, a pink purse, and white sunglasses. Robbie had gorgeous blonde hair that was arranged in cascading waves.
Pink was, of course, the dominant colour of the day. Robbie and her stylist have been discussing colour frequently, but colour has long been a crucial consideration for Mattel as well. Barbie’s trademark colour is pink, and it’s a very specific hue called Pantone colour PMS 219, of course. The “Barbie” film also benefited greatly from the use of colour. In an interview with Architectural Digest, director Greta Gerwig said, “I can’t even tell you the meetings we’ve had about pink. We asked ourselves, “What is the pink, and how do the pinks interact? “, as we sat among all these many shades of pink. Yes, Barbie does care about colour.
The day-to-night look
Barbie’s talent for multitasking is one of her many appealing qualities. Barbie is capable of managing various occupations, a flawless romantic connection, and a number of happy friendships, as well as perfecting the day-to-night style. Evidently, Margot Robbie can, too.
In honour of the 1985 Day-to-Night Barbie, Robbie wore two distinct dresses when attending the “Barbie” premiere in Seoul, South Korea. The first style was a pink Versace blazer and skirt for the daytime, accessorised with a white hat, a pink scarf, and pink and white heels. Robbie added a pink cell phone clutch by Judith Leiber that was bejewelled to the day portion of the outfit.
The second dress was the evening look, a sequin tank top with a tulle skirt that was, of course, pink and also by Versace. Robbie added little pink purses as accessories to her ensembles for day and night.
Barbiesque in vintage Versace
Barbie was probably maintained in the outfit she came in even if you just ever played with her for a minute. However, if you’ve played with a Barbie for, say, two minutes or longer, you’ve undoubtedly changed her clothes and learned that she has a much larger wardrobe than the clothes that came with her.
Margot Robbie has demonstrated a clear understanding of this by serving up “Barbie” press tour ensembles that weren’t particularly associated with a certain doll but were still unmistakably Barbie. She wore a particular attire to the “Barbie” Celebration Party at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. Robbie’s Versace ensemble is a stunning vintage piece from Barbie’s heyday, the ’90s, even though there isn’t an exact smaller version to match. The pink dress that reaches mid-thigh was initially worn by Claudia Schiffer in 1994, and it’s a cute take on what Barbie might wear.
A modern take on Sparkling Pink Barbie from the ’60s
According to “Barbie” costume designer Jacqueline Durran, “Barbie’s key feature is that she dresses with intention.” Barbie doesn’t wear a daytime outfit. She prepares by getting dressed. Robbie has also chosen her clothing carefully while promoting the movie. She has consistently produced flawless Barbie looks, some of which were exact reproductions of vintage Barbie costumes and others of which were updated versions.
Robbie sported a look inspired by the 1964 Sparkling Pink Barbie when attending a “Barbie” press presentation in South Korea. Robbie walked the pink carpet in a little skirt and crop top that were a richer shade of pink than the doll, which was sold sporting a bejewelled knee-length skirt and full-length blouse. However, Robbie kept the Sparkling Pink jacket and accessory. According to an Instagram post from her stylist Andrew Mukamal, Robbie enlisted the help of Moschino, Tiffany & Co., and Manolo Blahnik to realise her vision.
The reimagining of Totally Hair Barbie
Everyone who ever had a Barbie doll to play with as a child had a favourite. That was Totally Hair Barbie for many youngsters in the 1990s. She was first made available in 1992 and quickly rose to the position of best-selling Barbie in Mattel history. Although Totally Hair Barbie wore a unique three-quarter sleeve minidress, pink shoes, and eye-catching pink earrings, her crimped hair, which nearly reached her feet, was what made her stand out. Yes, Totally Hair Barbie had hair that lasted for days, and she slayed with it.
Margot Robbie, who has portrayed the most recognisable Barbie doll at press appearances for “Barbie,” of course adopted the Totally Hair Barbie. Robbie wore her own quirky three-quarter sleeve minidress, pink heels, and pink earrings while she was in Mexico for a “Barbie” photocall. And yes, even though her hair wasn’t sweeping the floor, she really did crimp her long strands.
A near-perfect replica of Earring Magic Barbie
Barbie has held more than 200 different jobs since her debut in 1959, ranging from nanny to astronaut to president. She works very hard. However, some of the most well-known Barbie versions have little to do with her professional life and everything to do with her engaging in the fundamental aspect of being Barbie: dressing up. One example of this is the early 1990s release of Earring Magic Barbie, which had earrings that the owner of the doll could also wear.
Margot Robbie, who attended the “Barbie” movie premiere in Mexico wearing an Earring Magic Barbie copy by Balmain, undoubtedly captured the beloved doll’s essence flawlessly with her pink leather minidress, pink stilettos, and crimped blonde hair. Margot looks like your life-size Barbie doll, and you are clothing her exactly flawlessly, a fan wrote on stylist Andrew Mukamal’s Instagram image of the outfit.We would have assumed Robbie and Mukamal stole items from a Barbie doll box if we didn’t know any differently.
Pink & Fabulous redux
Margot Robbie said, “We’re finding Barbie references from decades past and just doing it really for the big Barbie fans out there, people who are actually collecting those Barbies,” while at the “Barbie” international premiere in Los Angeles. We want to excite them, after all. And thrilled are we!
Margot Robbie picked a more recent Barbie doll as her inspiration for a press junket and photocall at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills, despite the fact that the vast majority of the Barbie dolls she imitated while promoting “Barbie” were vintage dolls. 2015’s Pink & Fabulous collection’s Look 1 was channelled by Robbie. She had long, silky waves in her hair, just like the doll, and wore a pink minidress with white polka dots. Her accessories, which included white heels, a yellow bracelet, and a quilted bag, were all stylish. Robbie’s outfit, in contrast to the doll’s, had a halter-top neckline and a cut-out that exposed her stomach. Robbie posed next to Barbie’s vintage pink Corvette for photographs, appearing prepared to get in and head to the DreamHouse.
The meta gingham ensemble
Margot Robbie adopted a meta look for her CinemaCon attire. She showed up at the Las Vegas event wearing a pink gingham Prada gown inspired by a Barbie costume worn by Robbie in the “Barbie” film. Holding on?
In advance of the “Barbie” premiere, Mattel unveiled a number of new Barbie dolls featuring the actresses. One of Mattel’s ‘The Movie’ dolls is marketed sporting a look-alike of the pink gingham outfit that Barbie (Margot Robbie) is wearing in the teaser trailer. The description of this Barbie doll states, “This Barbie doll cuts a timeless silhouette in a sweet dress modelled after one of her character’s iconic looks in Barbie The Movie.”
Robbie chose to wear a more daring two-piece outfit to CinemaCon instead of the costume she wore in the movie, which was nonetheless the same colour and pattern. She accessorised with subtle earrings, an anklet, and pink peep-toe heels.