The highly anticipated costumes in the new Barbie movie are more than just stylish fashion. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran reveals how the outfits tap into nostalgia while telling a deeper story.
Durran and her team had just 11 weeks to create the vibrant, retro-inspired looks. They referenced iconic Barbie doll outfits from the 80s and 50s French Riviera style. Chanel loaned accessories to complement Margot Robbie’s outfits as Barbie.
But Durran intentionally contrasted Barbie’s glamorous heels with downtime Birkenstocks. This dichotomy between Barbieland and the real world is a plot point.
Barbie’s soft yellow bias-cut dress in the finale also marks her transition to humanity over perfectionistic plastic. As Durran explains, “none of Barbie’s previous clothes have ever draped.”
The thoughtful costumes reflect Barbie’s journey while paying homage to Mattel history through color and silhouettes. Durran dressed the whole cast, collaborating with Ryan Gosling on Ken’s wearable underwear logo.
Fans eagerly await seeing the symbolic costumes in action when the Barbie movie hits theaters.