After films such as The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick, Creed III and many more have been released since the pandemic, Barbie is the first ultra-feminine film which prepares to screen in cinemas globally this Summer, alongside Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer (Barbenheimer, the double feature summer release).
Barbie has been anticipated since pictures, movie posters and trailers have emerged online. Barbie had a reported $150 million marketing campaign according to a recent Variety report, which is more than the $145 million budget used to produce the movie in the first place. The Barbie marketing campaign ranged from collaborations with Airbnb and Burger King. According to The Hollywood Reporter, in its opening weekend, “Barbie” grossed $155 million in the US and $337 million globally. The press tour consisted of the cast and director in primarily pink and producer/actor Margot Robbie even “method dressed” as various Barbie dolls (the tour was interrupted by the WGA/SAG-AFTRA double strike). With all the attention on Barbie, it is no surprise that many have gone to immerse in a Barbie world of their own.
Barbiecore, an emerging aesthetic movement rooted in popular culture, celebrates the iconic Barbie doll as a symbol of femininity, fashion, and consumerism. As a subgenre of the larger “cottage-core” and “retrofuturism” trends, Barbiecore uniquely combines elements of vintage aesthetics with futuristic ideals, creating a whimsical and vibrant universe. However, when was pink first seen in fashion?
The earliest historic evaluation of pink is recognised as a concept in 800 B.C. in Homer’s Odyssey. The term was coined in the 17th century by a Greek botanist for the ruffled edges of carnations. In the mid-18th century, pink was a fashionable colour among male and female aristocrats as a symbol of class and luxury because of a new source of dye that imparted a more vivid, long-lasting colour in fabrics.
Fast forward, The colour Shocking Pink has been introduced and emerged in fashion by designer, Elsa Schiaparelli. a prominent figure in the world of fashion during the early to mid-20th century. Schiaparelli was a pioneering Italian designer known for her innovative and daring approach to couture. One of her most iconic contributions to the realm of fashion was the introduction and popularization of “shocking pink,” a vivid and vibrant hue that became synonymous with her brand. Schiaparelli’s adoption of shocking pink in her designs challenged the prevailing conventions of her time. The colour, an intense and bold shade of pink, exuded a sense of daring and audacity, aligning well with Schiaparelli’s avant-garde and non-conformist aesthetic sensibilities. This choice served as a stark departure from the more subdued and pastel tones that were prevalent in women’s fashion during the early 20th century. The introduction of shocking pink was not merely a stylistic choice; rather, it carried profound cultural implications. In a society that often associated femininity with delicacy and fragility, Schiaparelli’s use of this assertive and unapologetic colour became a statement of empowerment for women. By embracing shocking pink, she challenged the notion that women’s fashion should be confined to subdued and passive tones, offering them an alternative means of expressing their individuality and strength.
Since Schiaparelli, fashion houses such as Valentino have remerged the colour pink into the current fashion scene. Valentino, under the creative direction of Pierpaolo Piccioli, debuted a new Pantone colour officially titled ‘Valentino Pink PP’ in 2022. The Valentino Pink was established by the Maison and Pantone Colour Institute. It is a hot and bold pink that is often described as having a “Barbie” or “bubble gum” tint and is associated with luxury fashion. This was the sole colour for the Valentino Pink PP Collection Fall/Winter 2022-2023 and was showcased by many celebrities at events including the brand’s ambassadors. This colour and the gradients of pink bled from 2022 into 2023. Just in time for Barbie.
The colour pink has since and before then become a staple in exuding and influencing a spark of glamour, importance and confidence. A colour which Barbie has coincidently branded itself in. The selection of Barbie’s signature colour, Barbie Pink, was the result of a carefully considered process that incorporated market research, cultural influences, aesthetic considerations, brand identity, and consumer appeal. This iconic shade of pink has since become synonymous with Barbie, reflecting not only the doll’s enduring popularity but also its representation of timeless femininity and glamour in popular culture.
As pink ripples from fashion to pop culture, the Barbie film has become the highlight of the summer with pink Barbie collaborations to unapologetically femininity to create the ultimate show-stopping summer spectacle.