If ever there was a brand synonymous with pink, it’s Barbie. As such, there’s no surprise that Margot Robbie, who plays the doll in the forthcoming eponymous movie directed by Greta Gerwig, has embraced the shade at every stage of the global press tour. With the help of her stylist Andrew Mukamal, the Australian actress has taken inspiration, and in some cases custom pieces, from some iconic designers including Valentino, Versace and Chanel.
Last night in London at the film’s UK premiere the actress brought to life 1960 ‘Enchanted Evening’ Barbie (later reproduced in the mid-90s), alongside championing leading British label, Vivienne Westwood. Tapping the brand to create a custom-made corseted dress, in blush-pink satin, styled with a Marilyn Monroe-style white stole.
One of the few departures from pink in Robbie’s tour-drobe, was at the Barbie world premiere at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in downtown Los Angeles last weekend, with the 33-year-old wearing black as she recreated the original Barbie ‘Solo in the Spotlight’ doll from the same year (1960). The sparkling strapless gown, which was custom Schiaparelli, included a ‘trumpet’ tulle hemline complete with a red rose, while Robbie accessorised with long black opera gloves and a Lorraine Schwartz diamond choker.
Her earliest promo event for Barbie was in April, at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. Robbie clearly started as she meant to go on in a pink and white gingham Prada cropped bustier and wrap miniskirt set with her hair swept into a side parting. She wore the Me Dolly Louboutin peep-toes in pink (and not for the last time). A peep-toe pump from Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik is fast becoming a footwear staple on the press tour.
Robbie has been ambassador for Chanel since 2018, while Mukamal is a celebrity stylist and former staffer for the fashion desk at Seventeen magazine. He has worked with the likes of Zoe Kravitz, Kaia Gerber and Lily-Rose Depp. His Instagram is testament to his versatility as a stylist, from denim basics on Hailey Bieber for a Levis sitting, to classic red-carpet glamour for Carey Mulligan. His work with Robbie for Barbie is meticulously observed, consistently on point, and packed with historical references.
There are no days off, with Robbie channelling Barbiecore even in transit
The LA press call for Barbie, for example, saw Robbie in a bespoke pink and white polka dot dress with a crossover bodice made bespoke by Valentino; a look inspired by 2015’s Pink & Fabulous doll. She carried a Valentino rockstud shoulder bag and wore white Blahnik stilettos. However, the best accessory was surely her pink and white open-top Chevrolet.
The car was also the backdrop to another flawless ensemble — a two-piece custom-set featuring a pleated mini and bralette, a small, woven tote by Bottega Veneta and Blahnik peep toes.
Through the tour, it’s clear Robbie is keen to celebrate Barbie in every era. The doll’s 1959 origin look was replicated in Sydney on the Australian leg of the press tour, with a custom-made black and white striped bandeau dress by Herve Leger. Robbie’s hair was swept off her face ahe she accessorised with black peep-toe Blahnik pumps and white ‘cat eye’ Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses.
She served up more 50s on Bondi Beach in a Moschino halter neck, belted minidress with a juicy strawberry motif pattern from Jeremy Scott’s 2019 collection, completed with white sunglasses, bag and peep-toe Louboutins.
Then the 1990s came calling and Robbie answered via Versace, in a look first showcased by supermodel Christy Turlington some 30 years ago. This consisted of a cropped, rollneck woollen sweater, bright pink socks and white patent loafers.
She leant further into Versace’s archives and wore a dazzling pale pink couture dress from the autumn/winter 1994 collection with a fitted corset and flared skater-style skirt.
At the Seoul press conference, Robbie wore an acid bright Moschino suit from the brand’s spring/summer 2015 collection complete with a super-kitsch, heart-shaped bag and pillbox hat. Then, at the film’s Seoul premiere, Robbie transformed into ‘business Barbie’, borrowing the look from one of the 1980s most iconic dolls. In a pencil skirt and blazer, clutching a glittery ‘brick’ mobile phone, it was corporate, but make it Barbie.
The Mexico City photocall saw Robbie in a printed Emilio Pucci minidress with Chanel earrings and handbag in different shades of pink. Her hair was loose with waves: the entire look was a clear ode to the 1992 Totally Hair Barbie.
Later, for the Mexico City premiere, Robbie wore a bodycon Balmain mini dress made from leather and mesh with a silver belt detail and star motif earrings. The look was inspired by another 1990s doll the “Earring Magic” Barbie.
Robbie — and Mukamal — have not only understood the assignment, but they are also consistently overdelivering in the run up to the film’s release. There are no days off, with Robbie channeling Barbiecore even in transit. She has been seen wheeling baby pink luggage through the airport in Sydney and, on another occasion, embracing a more relaxed travel aesthetic in an oversized pink Gucci x Adidas sweatshirt and stacked platform sliders.
The best thing about all of this pink, peep-toe promotion is that it let’s us know exactly what sartorial delights we can expect in the film itself. Watch this space.
Barbie is released in UK cinemas on July 21
