Get the Look: Barbiecore
Ashton garden building used by Pippa Small at RHS Chelsea Flower Show
Barbie is back better than ever and having a hot moment this Summer.
The countdown is officially on to the release of the highly anticipated film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.
Billboards are splashed in 219 c pantone and a dozen major brand collaborations are fuelling Barbie mania alongside a star-studded complimentary soundtrack Barbie: The Album, featuring pop princess Dua Lipa’s “Dance the night”.
Fans can even stay overnight in Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse for free. Host Ken lists his bedroom, providing plenty of opportunities for guests to channel the Barbie and Kenergy – challenging fellow guests to a “beach off”, line dancing and browsing through his wardrobe ‘to find their best beach fit’.
Margot Robbie has brought Barbie’s glamorous and iconic style to life and to the red carpet. Looks have included 1985 Day to Night Barbie at the South Korea premiere , a ‘Solo in the Spotlight Barbie’ replica designed by Schiaparelli for the Barbie Los Angeles World Premiere, and 1960s Evening Barbie in an elegant custom Vivienne Westwood pale pink gown at the London Premiere.
The aesthetic trend inspired by the undeniably iconic Mattel fashion doll Barbie and her movie debut has been named, ‘Barbiecore’.
If pink is your colour, then now is the time to splash it all over your garden; we’re talking pots, plants and paint!
In this blog we’ll explore how you can jump on this trend to transform your outdoor room and your garden space to recreate Barbie’s Dreamland (minus some of the plastic). Pink gardens are fashion-forward, fun and fantastic!
Avalana Simpson, of Avalana Design also shares her top tips on how you can bring Barbiecore into your indoor-outdoor styling.
Create a Barbie Dreamhouse
Clifton garden room used by Kaffe Fassett at RHS Chelsea
A Barbie Dreamhouse is sold every two minutes and was first introduced in 1962 (Mattel,Inc). If you would like to replicate your own dreamhouse at home with a garden building or shed, opt for a bespoke pink colour.
HOT TIP:
Malvern Garden Buildings can colour match your building if you have a pink preference in mind. Hot pink fuchsia and baby pink both work for this trend. Accessories are also a great way to bring the Dreamhouse element in with pops of Barbie’s favourite and complimentary colours. We love this rotary telephone.
Avalana’s top Barbiecore styling tips
“Barbiecore is taking the world by storm and it doesn’t stop at interiors. Inspired by the aesthetics and colour of the Barbie Dreamland pad from the new movie, it can be interpreted differently for each personality. You can either go bold Barbie with a maximalist feel or select softer tones and use them for accessories for a more refined nod to the look. This playful trend is absolutely ideal for entertaining spaces.
What better way to celebrate the Summer than with some playful pink decor and accessories outdoors? Dreamland is all about having your home on show, so the open plan entertaining spaces of garden rooms couldn’t be more perfect to go all out with this fun style”.
Maximalist Heaven
All pink everything is a maximalist dream. Adorning all surfaces in hues of pink, the Avalana Barbie Girl Mural offers a beautiful deep fuchsia pink which gradually fades into softer tones of bubblegum pink before transforming into a lovely pastel shade. The murals are super versatile, perfect for large and small spaces alike – and even for upcycling furniture pieces! Team with luxurious cocktail chairs and rose gold accents to create a maximal take on the Barbiecore trend.
Blush is Beautiful
If you’re not a fan of an all-pink scheme but want to indulge in this fun trend, flower power is a timeless look. Oversized blooms keep things looking modern and can really elevate your space. Use Avalana’s Bodacious Blooms in Blush Wall Mural on a small section of wall or update your seating areas with pink cushion covers in a Malibu style design like the Blush Tropics Piped Velvet Cushion Cover – the perfect partner for dark or mint green schemes – or Blush Blooms Fringe Cushion Cover which partners extremely well with neutrals.
Be Playful
Embrace Barbiecore interiors and their whimsical and nostalgic ambiance. Add pink pops to your outdoor dining set up with cocktail glasses, table mats, vases or a pink wine cooler. Don’t forget to dress the part too! Avalana Mulberry Kimono
Create your Barbie Dreamgarden
A Barbie Dreamhouse would be incomplete without a pink Dreamgarden, Barbie loves her blooms! Embellish your garden space with pretty pink florals: soft pink peonies, rich magenta dahlias and delicate roses. Enhance the walls encircling your garden structure by adorning them with climbers, including the remarkable pink variety from the clematis family.
Any aspirational gardener Barbie would love this pink bloom trowel and fork gift set and baby pink gardening gloves to help them whilst they undergo a Barbiecore garden transformation!
Compliment the Barbiecore aesthetic with pastel plant pots that add a gentle yet playful touch. We love these pots from Rose & Grey with an eccentric wave of blue to add a touch of Ken too!
For the kids, a colourful outdoor play area mimics the slide and playful element of the Barbie Dreamhouse – this wooden swing set is a more sustainable option with less plastic.
A Malvern Garden Building can also make a dream playroom – if you’re willing to share your garden retreat with your little people. Playing with dolls nurtures social skills like empathy in children as neuroscientists collaborating with Barbie found in a study in 2020.
Look the part with our Barbie Fashionista picks
Margot encouraged her co-stars to wear pink on the set of Barbie. During an interview on The One Show, she said: “So, “On Wednesdays we wear pink” was the game. And if you didn’t wear pink there was an optional fine that would be donated to charity.” That’s one way to get in the pink spirit!
Get the Barbie look with our top picks that are as close to channelling her closet as possible – it wouldn’t be Barbiecore without fashion!
Outfit
For those who love glitz and glamour, become Barbie in Gold Disco Jumpsuit with this dazzling gold embellished jumpsuit, perfect for evenings under your garden room discoball! Make a softer statement with Zara’s Special collection x Barbie™ The Movie © replica of the Barbie in Pink Gingham Dress!
Accessorize
Banish the appearance of flat feet (Barbie’s nightmare) and check out the Barbie x Aldo collection for a funky collection of plastic shoe heaven and cute little bags. No Barbie outfit would be complete without a statement heel and accessories – it’s just that these ones aren’t miniature!
Going on a vacay? Or relaxing in your Dreamgarden? Echo 1959 Teenage Fashion Model Barbie with these white Quay cat eye sunglasses. If you prefer an oversized pair of shades, keep the Malibu sunshine at bay with these transparent pink sunglasses.
Nails
Perfect your manicure with OPI’S latest Barbie Collection featuring opaque shades of pink (‘Hi Barbie’ is a close match to the classic 219 c pantone) and lacquers with a touch of sparkle!
