Blondes Do Have More Fun
Last summer, the Barbie movie made a dazzling entrance into theaters, earning universal acclaim for its captivating storyline, empowering message, and vibrant fashion. Margot Robbie, the face of this blockbuster, didn't just play Barbie on screen—she embodied the iconic doll throughout a worldwide promotional tour that turned heads and sparked conversations. Her promotional appearances were a testament to the strategic marketing and creative genius behind the film's success.
Each event showcased Margot in meticulously designed outfits that celebrated Barbie's legacy in a modern context. In this article, Hollywood Branded pulls back the curtain on the promotional tour for the Barbie film, highlighting how Margot emulated the world's most iconic doll by attending each premiere dressed head-to-toe in custom outfits inspired by vintage Barbie doll fashion.
IT's Margot's world and we're all living in it
The Barbie movie would go on to become a box office hit and cultural phenomenon, earning $1.5 billion at the box office while simultaneously challenging gender stereotypes and patriarchy; promoting female empowerment and representation; sparking conversations on body image, self-acceptance, feminism, and gender equality; creating an evergreen cultural impact; and celebrating all things feminine, pretty, and pink.
Of the many fabulous women who made the Barbieverse possible, its leading actress Margot Robbie became known as the perfect choice - among fans, critics, and costars alike - to bring the generationally-beloved doll to life. While on the film's promotional tour around the world, Margot consistently turned heads on the red carpets with her Barbie-inspired looks.
pretty in pink
Margot and her stylist Andrew Mukamal worked together to meticulously plan and execute her iconic Barbie looks. In one interview, Andrew revealed that he and Margot spent months researching vintage Barbie doll outfits to curate the perfect wardrobe for each event. This styling process often involved collaborating with designers and fashion houses to reinterpret classic Barbie designs through custom pieces, or pulling archived designer outfits from the past multiple decades.
Aiming to capture the essence of Barbie's playful and glamorous style, Margot and Andrew also sought to ensure the looks were modern, red carpet-worthy, and typically paid homage to Barbie's favorite color: PINK! From the hair to the glam to the accessories to the nails, Margot truly shined as a Barbie girl. See below for side by sides of Margot's red carpet looks next to their Barbie doll inspirations.
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Etika
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Vanity Fair
BOLD and beautiful
When people think of Barbie, they obviously think of pink - a color known to embody femininity, love, nurturing, compassion, comfort, warmth, and hope. And each of those descriptions perfectly encapsulates the multiple messages behind the Barbie movie. However, like Barbie soon realizes in the film, you have to expect the unexpected. For many of the Barbie promotional tour stops, Margot stepped out on the red carpet in not pink but striking colors and patterns - and she of course looked equally bold and beautiful.
From a black glittery strapless gown with gloves and a tulle bottom to a black and white striped vintage bathing suit-esque dress to a casual floral blouse and denim combo with pops of red to a mesmerizing colorful swirly 1980's mini dress paired with crimped hair, Margot and Andrew truly showed that Barbie isn't just pink - she's everything, and more! See below for side by sides of Margot's red carpet looks next to their Barbie doll inspirations.
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: Page Six
Photo Credit: People
Photo Credit: Page Six
The Barbie WORLD TOUR coffee table book
Margot and Andrew's commitment to embodying Barbie's iconic fashion delighted fans around the world. Many praised the duo for honoring the doll's legacy while also bringing a fresh, modern twist to the looks. On social media, fans shared side-by-side comparisons of Margot's outfits with the original Barbie dolls, and marveled at both the accuracy and creativity. Although the press tour for Barbie eventually came to an end, Margot and Andrew gave fans one more surprise by releasing a gift they could keep forever: a coffee table book that showed the creative process of the Margot-Barbie wardrobe.
The 160 page "Barbie: The World Tour" coffee table book was published by Rizzoli and became available for purchase to fans earlier this year on March 19, 2024 - giving them an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the iconic Barbie-inspired outfits Margot wore during the global press tour for the 2023 Barbie movie. It featured:
- Never-before-seen looks that Margot was unable to wear on the press tour due to time constraints
- Design sketches of some of her most iconic Barbie-inspired red carpet looks with Polaroid photos from the outfit fittings
- Images and materials from Mattel's Barbie fashion archives including original Barbie dolls that inspired the looks
- Contributions from the fashion designers behind the looks such as Olivier Rousteing, Michelle Ochs, and Manolo Blahnik with handwritten notes
- Text by Margot and Andrew providing insights into the creative process
- Photographs of the outfits by renowned fashion photographer Craig McDean
- Evocative collages conceived and art-directed by Fabien Baron, blending high fashion and Barbie nostalgia
The "Barbie: The World Tour" coffee table book generated significant buzz and anticipation among fans eager to get an exclusive glimpse into the making of Margot's iconic looks.
Photo Credit: Town & Country
Photo Credit: Target
Photo Credit: Target
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
In summary, to promote the blockbuster film Barbie, lead actress Margot Robbie embarked on an iconic worldwide press tour where she paid homage to the legendary doll's fashion legacy. Margot, along with her stylist Andrew Mukamal, meticulously recreated vintage Barbie doll outfits through custom designer pieces and archived looks spanning decades - from the original 1959 black and white striped swimsuit to the hot pink 1985 career ensemble.
In striking pink hues and bold patterns alike, Margot's Barbie-inspired wardrobe captured the essence of the doll's playful glamour while modernizing it for the red carpet, delighting fans who marveled at the accurate yet fresh reinterpretations.The pair's commitment culminated in a coffee table book offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of these iconic outfits, and will allow fans to revisit them for more generations to come.
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