Pretty in pink: Welcome to the world of Barbiecore

When the co-founder of Mattel, Ruth Handler, noticed her daughter, Barbara, pretending her paper dolls were adults, she created a special doll little girls could aspire to and named it after her. Fifty years later, this tiny style icon in her bubble-gum convertible continues to inspire.

In 2023, thanks largely to Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie, Barbie is the muse du jour for designers from fashion to interiors. Ever dreamt of living in her pink Dream House? Now you can. With the beige minimalism of recent years feeling like a distant memory, Barbiecore’s hyper-pink palette, edgy 1980s vibe, and oh-so-Barbie decor are right on trend.

It’s a look interior designer Lucy Fenton describes as “joyful, versatile and mood-lifting”.

“We want our homes to spark joy, and Barbiecore inspires youthfulness,” she says. “Barbie channels our childhood with playfulness; I’ve been waiting for this trend my whole life!”

Fenton is saturating spaces in shades of rose and blush and says it’s surprising how subtle the effect can be. “We’re treating [pinks] like neutrals – they pair with anything!” Fenton says. 

While Barbiecore is synonymous with hot pink, there are colour combinations to suit any style, she says. Team pink with splashes of red or green for a punchy vibe, or alongside tan and brown for a sophisticated yet playful effect. 

For designer Greg Natale, layering design elements is the secret to embracing the trend. “It prevents an all-pink room from looking one-note,” he says. “Lean into luxurious layering by incorporating rich, varied hues, bold textures and metallic finishings.” 

Case in point – his Toorak Penthouse project, where he elevated a white palette using vibrant colour and extravagant accessories for a feeling of ’80s opulence. Oh, and plenty of pink, of course. “It’s the colour of youthful, playful delights,” he proclaims. 

In the dining room, Natale papered walls in a pink Gucci print, creating a glamourous backdrop for lacquered walls, brass finishings, a graphic curved floor rug and Jonathan Adler dining chairs upholstered in rich pink velvet.

In the main bedroom, Natale adopted a palette of jewel tones like gold and burgundy for a lavish effect. In the dressing room, the ceilings were lined in metallic-flecked marbled wallpaper alongside fabulous lacquered joinery, wall-to-wall mirrors, sumptuous arches and a dressing table Barbie would die for.

It’s this maximalist approach that Natale says is on the upswing. “An abundance of textures and bright colours like pink is an energising sensory feast for the eyes, and we’ve seen it in looks from Barbie,” he says. “Pink is eye-catching, and people are missing that indulgent stimulation in design.”

Designer Tegan Stringer from Studio Joan agrees. “Barbie has millennials reliving our best childhood memories, and now we all want fuchsia somewhere!” she laughs. 

Stringer’s Olive House project in Bondi Beach taps into Barbie nostalgia with its hidden jewel tucked beneath the stairs – a tiny bathroom immersed in pink tiles.

Taking inspiration from the photographic artwork Plastic Fantastic by Dina Broadhurst, Stringer says “going all the way” with tiles is a great way to provide a wow factor. White powder-coated tapware by Astra Walker and fresh white grouting imbue a retro vibe and provide relief in the otherwise pink-saturated space. 

Melbourne interiors influencer Krystal Dahaby created her Barbie-inspired space outside.

“Everyone has played with Barbie at some time, so she feels very nostalgic,” she says. Dahaby wrapped her above-ground pool in tiny pink mosaic tiles, and a whitewashed deck is the perfect spot for lounging and stowing beach toys. “It’s my favourite space for its calming vibe,” she says. “It feels far away from the craziness of life!”

For architect Monique Woodward from Wowowa, the kitchen in her project Wrong Champ in Brunswick West was an opportunity to create a unique and happy space. “Pink is the new neutral; it’s soft and calm like a warm hug,” she says. 

Woodward dipped into a citrus, melon, and mezze plate-inspired palette, combining it with the “yummiest walnut Le Corbusier-inspired nugget island you ever saw!” Orange and watermelon-tiled benchtops feature curved, tiled edging, and orange steel shelf inserts sit within creamy yellow and pink cabinetry like punctuation points.

“The room is open to all the other spaces, so the owners freely meander, enjoying the delights along the way,” she says. “It’s a perfect combination of nostalgic and fresh, and old and reborn.” 

Just like Barbie.