Current:Home > InvestWhy Dressing Margot Robbie in Barbie Was the Biggest Challenge for the Costume Designer -Blueprint Money Mastery
Why Dressing Margot Robbie in Barbie Was the Biggest Challenge for the Costume Designer
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-06 14:24:46
Playing dress up isn't all fun and games.
Just ask Barbie's costume designer Jacqueline Durran, who revealed that the most challenging part of her job was dressing Margot Robbie as the iconic doll in Greta Gerwig's upcoming movie.
"Margot is just about the most perfect human you can imagine, so she didn't make it hard," Jacqueline exclusively told E! News while promoting her partnership with ThredUp. "What was hard was narrowing down all the options and making sense of all the possible looks we could go for."
Considering Barbie is known for her keen sense of style, there was no shortage of glitzy and glamorous getups displayed on-screen. In the film, Margot wears everything from a sailor blue romper to a blush-colored gingham dress to a pink jumpsuit reminiscent of Rosie The Riveter's famous 1942 look.
But the fact that Barbie has an outfit for every occasion proved to be difficult.
"The other big challenge was that Barbie changes her costume every time we see her," Jacqueline noted, "so there was a lot to do in very little time. We only had 11 weeks of prep time before the shoot started!"
But putting together the ensembles for the film is basically what childhood dreams are made of.
"My main inspiration was the Barbie catalog," Jacqueline revealed. "I tried to do a comprehensive sweep of different Barbie looks. One example was all the white and gold Barbie costumes from the '60s to the '90s for the block party. I chose the strongest looks with the best hair ornaments and lots of frills, particularly ones that were uniquely Barbie."
She continued, "Creating the fashion for this movie was so special, and I wanted to make sure I honored the rich history of the doll and its many style iterations over the years."
Jacqueline also drew inspiration from 1960s beach culture, replicating the whimsical color palettes and dress shapes of the era. "All the Barbies wear retro dresses of different designs," she said, noting, "The early '60s style pink gingham dress is one of my favorites."
And while it may have been challenging to figure out which pieces to narrow down, Jacqueline made sure that every item felt true to Barbie.
"Barbie's wardrobe comes from her love of clothes," she explained. "She wears outfits because she enjoys dressing up and always dresses perfectly for whatever she is doing. Barbie's style is playful and full of joy. It is over the top and, perhaps, looks superficial but it's actually a big part of her character."
It's clear Barbie's passion for fashion has translated off-screen, as the outfits have taken a life on their own with the Barbiecore trend. As Jacqueline put it, "It's been a joy to see how the costumes have inspired people to create their own looks and the movie isn't even out yet!"
Seeing people run wild with their imagination is part of the reason the costume designer teamed up with online consignment store ThredUp on a Barbiecore Dream Closet collaboration, which features more than 250 items.
"I hope that my partnership with thredUP and the costumes themselves remind people that fashion can be fun," she shared. "As a costume designer, I am a huge believer in the power of clothes and the stories they tell in film. With Barbie, there is no exception."
Sign up for E! Insider! Unlock exclusive content, custom alerts & more!veryGood! (5995)
Related
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Civil rights leader Daisy Bates and singer Johnny Cash to replace Arkansas statues at the US Capitol
- Tom Brady’s Netflix roast features lots of humor, reunion between Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick
- Gov. Kristi Noem says I want the truth to be out there after viral stories of killing her dog, false Kim Jong Un claim
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Commercial jet maker Airbus is staying humble even as Boeing flounders. There’s a reason for that
- Mystik Dan wins 150th Kentucky Derby in stunning photo finish
- After AP investigation, family of missing students enrolls in school
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Person falls from stands to their death during Ohio State graduation ceremony
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Associated Press images of migrants’ struggle are recognized with a Pulitzer Prize
- Abducted 10-month-old found alive after 2 women killed, girl critically injured in New Mexico park
- John Mulaney opens up about life with infant son Malcolm during Hollywood Bowl show
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look As the Stars Arrive
- 3 surprising ways to hedge against inflation
- Key rocket launch set for Monday: What to know about the Boeing Starliner carrying 2 astronauts
Recommendation
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Abducted 10-month-old found alive after 2 women killed, girl critically injured in New Mexico park
North Dakota state rep found guilty of misdemeanor charge tied to budget votes and building
Snag This $50 Way Day Doorbuster Deal on a Customer-Loved Bookcase
What to watch: O Jolie night
Channing Tatum Accuses Ex Jenna Dewan of Using “Delaying Tactics” Amid Financial Legal Battle
2 killed when a small plane headed to South Carolina crashes in Virginia, police say
Husband of Florida woman missing in Spain is charged with her disappearance