Barbie turns 64 (yikes!) in March of 2023. And a few months later, the Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, will be released. The buzz is already strong and is likely to keep building. So, while we usually focus on trends, which tend to be long-lasting, Barbiecore is likely to be a fad. That said, it’s hot right now, and that should last about a year—maybe more if the movie’s a blockbuster hit.
Barbiecore revolves around Hot Pink, and it’s making an impact in three areas right now: home, fashion, and beauty.
Home
As reported in The Washington Post, Barbie’s “look is everywhere. Barbiecore fashion is drenched in hot pink, and now that girly-girl vibe is seeping into living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.”
Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, told The Post, “People want to escape, and they are latching onto something colorful and nostalgic and playful. When you think about color being a language that expresses what is taking place, this pink and its association with Barbie is about being daring, unafraid, and taking chances.”
If you sell home products, consider testing the waters by adding some Barbiecore merchandise to your product mix. Just don’t overorder—remember, fads rarely last for more than a year.
Fashion
USA Today reports Barbie is “making a comeback as a style muse…as interest increases around the Barbiecore trend, emphasizing fun, often over-the-top looks usually reserved for a Barbie doll.”
They also note that as of August, “searches for pink mini dresses increased by 970%, and pink swimsuit searches were up 682% in the last six months.”
Be mindful of the seasons when you order your Barbiecore fashions. And the movie is scheduled to come out in July, so interest will likely peak around that time.
Beauty
In Style says Barbie has always been a style icon, and this past summer, Barbiecore significantly impacted the beauty business. According to Pinterest, searches for Barbiecore beauty content were up 30% for pink eyeshadow, 60% for pink lipstick, and 75% for pink nails and nail polish.
Hot Colors
Pantone, the global color authority, hasn’t announced its “Color-of-the-Year” yet, but it has released the top Spring ‘23 Fashion Colors. Among the top three colors is “Beetroot Purple,” which looks like Barbiecore pink.
