Margot Robbie: The method dressing was Andrew’s genius; I definitely can’t take credit. But I did say, “If there was ever an opportunity to really have fun on a press tour with the looks, it’s now.” Because Barbie and fashion are so synonymous and because the movie is so maximalist and zany and poppy and joyful, it felt appropriate to really have fun with it.
Mukamal: This was the first big moment on the tour and in Margot’s home country, so I was basically like, She has to wear a hot, cool version of the black-and-white striped bathing suit. That would just feel so spot-on to me.
Robbie: I loved it. The Hervé Léger bandage dress was a genius way of accomplishing the swimsuit look. And Jacques Marie Mage sunglasses that go with it? It was all just so cool.
Mukamal: And the Manolo [Blahnik] mules he designed specially for this project. Working with him and his team was an absolute dream.
Givenchy Couture dress, stole, gloves, necklace, and earrings; Gigi Burris headband; Manolo Blahnik shoesCraig McDean / Fabien Baron
Givenchy Couture dress, stole, gloves, necklace, and earrings; Gigi Burris headband; Manolo Blahnik shoesCraig McDean / Fabien Baron
Givenchy, Inspired by Gay Parisienne Barbie, 1959
Intended for Berlin
Robbie: What impressed me most was how much research Andrew did. His ideas were insane, but they all came from the Barbie archives and his research. It never felt like we were being too crazy because it was all rooted in something real.
Mukamal: This is also from 1959, Barbie’s first year. Hubert [de Givenchy] created this bubble hem in the fifties, which is exactly what this doll was inspired by during that period. If we were going to Paris, we obviously would have worn this there, but we weren’t; Berlin was the closest we were going to get.
Robbie: And we didn’t make it to Berlin!
Vintage Barbie Courtesy of Mattel Archives; Sketch Wes Gordon for Carolina HerreraCraig McDean / Fabien Baron
Carolina Herrera dress, cape, handbag, bracelet, necklace, earrings; Wing & Weft gloves; Manolo Blahnik shoesCraig McDean / Fabien Baron
Carolina Herrera, Inspired by Movie Mixer Barbie, 2007
Intended for New York City
Robbie: I mean, this is so Barbie.
Mukamal: It would have looked really good in paparazzi photos.
Robbie: Getting photographed on the move, the little cape trailing behind—that would have looked amazing.
Mukamal: Yeah, we were thinking about that. For a city like New York, we were like, What would look cool if you get papped on the street? And [the Carolina Herrera team] killed it. They made all the jewelry custom too.