From Hailey Bieber in Versace pink corsetry to Kim Kardashian swapping her habitual black for fuchsia, the world is enamoured by Barbiecore. By Hayley Peppin

PINK IS THE new (and improved) black. It releases dopamine, exudes unapologetic femininity and when worn monochromatically, screams badass boss vibes. While the youthful hue is one we perhaps wore most while playing with dolls as a tiny tot, it’s now for that very reason pink is shamelessly back. Millennials who grew up with Barbie are now living in their own dreamhouse, which naturally includes a swish convertible, sparkling pool and perhaps a cute partner like Ken, all through their pinkest of clothes.

In the realm of social media, the aesthetic is called ‘Barbiecore,’ much like the-now passé trends of ‘Cottagecore’ and ‘Regencycore.’ Over the past few weeks, the #Barbiecore hashtag has racked up more than 7.4 million views on TikTok, with Instagram also exhibiting an explosion of fuchsia. This all comes down to the upcoming (and much-anticipated) Barbie film by Greta Gerwig.

Back in January 2019, Barbie fans, fashionistas and movie buffs alike all screamed when Margot Robbie was cast as the titular toy in a live-action Barbie film. Only the perfect person to embody the blonde, fun-loving and pink-parading doll. While it took some time to see any visual evidence, on April 26 — Warner Brothers validated our flawless Barbie opinions. In their first official film still, the studio showed Robbie behind the wheels of a bubblegum coloured convertible — looking just like the lusciously bleached babe. 

Then two months later, we were treated to Gosling’s debut as Ken. However, the response to his viral photo — which showcased the 41-year-old actor with platinum blonde hair, fake tan and personalised ‘Ken’ underwear — was a little more divisive. Not that his long-term partner, Eva Mendes, seemed to mind. Mendes even recently revealed she begged Gosling to give her his ultra-white Barbie branded briefs. But since then, we’ve all been thinking pink — including the most unlikely of celebs.

Following new on-set imagery presenting Robbie in an ABBA-approved ensemble, Gosling in retro rodeo wear, and the latest (and possibly greatest?) looks of them rollerblading in endorphin-inducing gymgear reminiscent of Olivia Newton John in ‘Physical’ — A-Listers have joined the Barbie party.

PINK is the NEW (and improved) BLACK.

Recently, the queen of neutrals Kim Kardashian revealed a new look when she shared a series of pretty-in-pink shots to Instagram. Taken by her eight-year-old North-West, who apparently complained about her mother’s excessive use of black, Kim wore a cropped pink hoodie with corresponding leggings by Balenciaga. Fittingly, she held a bedazzled top-handle bag which featured a bold ‘B’ clasp. “I would say it’s definitely, like, future alien Barbie vibes,” Kim said of her new style, post Kanye West. 

Of a perhaps similar ‘vibe,’ Machine Gun Kelly and fiancé Megan Fox mimicked the hot pink romance of Barbie and Ken during a recent public appearance. On June 28, the couple walked the red carpet for the musician’s new documentary Life In Pink — which saw Fox match her beau’s fuchsia hair by wearing a metallic set by The Andamane, paired with strappy lace-up Femme sandals and a crystallised micro mini bag by L’Alingi. Meanwhile, Kelly took a liking to a pink netted top (very Ken goes clubbing in California), blush trousers and a multicoloured tiger-print patchwork coat. 

Khloé Kardashian also dolled up for her 38th birthday on Monday debuting bright blonde hair, glam makeup and a flirty neon latex dress — a look she uploaded to TikTok and garnered more than 10 million views. Just the other day, Hailey Bieber went full Barbie bombshell when she shared an Instagram shoot all decked out in Versace’s new autumn/winter ‘22 collection. “Having a little extra fun today 💕💗💖💞🎀🎀,” she captioned the post. Bieber wore the designer’s new season corset mini dress, which sculpted the body like a doll and featured embellished Medusa straps. Most importantly, the ensemble was set in a particularly delicious shade of pink.

While Versace has presented some particularly doll-like designs as of late — unforgettably, their Medusa Aveitas satin platform pumps — let’s be cognisant of Valentino’s overarching sartorial impact. It was the Italian House who tickled the world pink (yes, before that Barbie imagery was released) during Paris Fashion Week back in March. 

Valentino Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli presented his Fall/Winter ‘22 collection in an exaggerated Barbie meets Legally Blonde way via an exclusive hue dubbed ‘Valentino PP’ made in conjunction with Pantone. By stripping down to a single hue, Piccolio set out to do more with less by “maximising expressive possibilities in the apparent lack of possibilities.”

PINK can be DELICATE, sensual, HEDONISTIC and irreverent.

Models donned pink gloves, voluminous ball gowns and intricately embellished minis — whilst also carrying Valentino’s signature Garavani Rock Stud bag. From then on, stars such as Anne Hathaway, Dua Lipa, Vanessa Hudgens and even Sebastian Stan — have sported a lot of ‘Valentino PP’ on the red carpet. Even closer to home, we spied an abundance of bold Barbie looks at the 2022 Afterpay Australian Fashion Week — proving its a look for anyone at any event. With more than a year until Barbie hits the big screen, expect this trend to not only stick around … but continue to dominate your social media feeds.

So how does one incorporate a little Barbiecore into their wardrobe? Well, with dopamine dressing all the rage, think loud and proud monochromatic ensembles such as the trusty powersuit seen on Zendaya, a strapless top paired with complementary crisp trousers like Gillian Anderson or if you’re after a truly OTT pink look — pair a mini frock with opera gloves as Lizzo did for the premiere of her show Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.

Yet if pink really isn’t your thing, colour clashing could be the way to go. Fuchsia contrasted with white or black looks both classic and understated, or when mixed with red or orange — makes for a head-turning combination. If all else fails, however, use pink as an accent. A statement coat or handbag is but the perfect way to subtly rock the trend. Personally, we’re still lusting over Gigi Hadid’s shiny rockstar suit from 2017 by Kreist — but really anything goes. In a Barbie world, pink is anything but plastic.

Related: And in times of geopolitical crisis, we wear pink

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