The great Barbie press tour of 2023 has treated us to many a fabulous Barbie and Ken moment already, as Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling tour the world to promote their new Mattel-inspired flick.
But last night brought the first full cast event, as the stars of Barbie gathered en masse for the film’s Los Angeles premiere, treating the crowd to looks from the likes of Bottega, Schiaparelli and Alaïa, as well as a few, unsurprising, Barbie doll references thrown in the mix.
Our leading lady was in a full referential fit, in keeping with her looks thus far on the press tour, though Robbie did ditch the pink for one night only. The I, Tonya star dominated the pink carpet in a glittering, custom black Schiaparelli haute couture gown which exploded into ruffles at its hem, with the added adornments of a red rose corsage, black opera gloves and a blush pink sheer handkerchief.
The dress was, in fact, a nod to the 1961 Barbie doll, “Barbie Solo In The Spotlight”, where Barbie is dressed in a dramatic, dark ballgown look and comes with a vintage microphone.
Ryan Gosling, for his part, stayed loyal to his powder pink suiting of Barbie press tour trips past, arriving in a salmon pink Gucci suit with a powder pink shirt (opened three buttons down to reveal some chest), and white brogues.
There was a little easter egg in Gosling’s outfit, too, for those who looked closely: the actor was wearing a pendant which bore the letter “E” in the Barbie font, presumably in honour of his wife, Eva Mendes, or perhaps even his eldest daughter, Esmerelda.
Elsewhere, Dua Lipa was delivering a sheer serve in custom Bottega Veneta, as she floated along the pink carpet in a shimmering chainmail gown, proving that the naked dress trend is not on its way out anytime soon.
More sparkle was added by Dua’s fellow Barbie, Alexandra Shipp, who arrived in a Miu Miu gown so low cut that it exposed the full bra beneath, with a neckline (or torso-line, in this case) dominated by dripping crystals.
For those missing a tomboy moment, fear not: musician Billie Eilish brought the androgyny. The singer, who is featured on the Barbie soundtrack, smiled for the cameras in her oversized pink pinstripe shirt and tie look, complete with jeans and huge, engulfing skate sneakers: very Avril Lavigne circa 2002.
Nicki Minaj, who is also featured on the Barbie soundtrack, arrived at the premiere in an altered powder blue look from Alaïa’s autumn/winter 2024 ready to wear collection (made significantly more Barbiecore with the presence of her calf-length blonde hair extensions).
Simu Liu was also channeling Ken-ergy in powder blue, wearing a Versace suit with a crisp white shirt and combat waistcoat, with his suit jacket tossed coolly across his shoulder.
All in all, it was a very Barbie blue and pink affair, with some darker exceptions bringing depth to the pink carpet. We have to say though, an all-pink cast moment would not have gone amiss. Good thing there’s still 10 days left of the press tour, then.
Keep your Barbie fingers crossed!
To see all the looks mentioned and more, tap through the gallery above.
