Billie Eilish's Barbie Aesthetic: Behind the Scenes

Billie Eilish's Barbie Aesthetic: Behind the Scenes

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Inspiration Behind the Music Video
3. The Barbie Aesthetic: A Nod to Vintage Barbie
4. The Difficulty of Creating the Barbie Look
5. The Significance of the Yellow Dress
6. The Selection Process for the Miniature Outfits
7. Collaborating with Mattel for the Miniatures
8. Recreating Specific Moments from Eilish's Career
9. The Complexities of Shooting a One-Take Video
10. Eilish's Collaboration with Her Mother

The Inspiration Behind the Music Video

In this section, we will explore the inspiration behind Billie Eilish's music video for "What Was I Made For?" Eilish explains that the initial idea for the video came from a brainstorming session with her team. As they bounced ideas off each other, her mom suggested she could be folding clothes, which then led to the idea of miniature clothes. Eilish instantly loved the concept of using her old clothes as miniatures and decided to incorporate it into the video.

The Barbie Aesthetic: A Nod to Vintage Barbie

Eilish reveals that the entire Barbie aesthetic portrayed in the video was based on the vintage Barbie look. Although it wasn't the Barbie she grew up with, Eilish felt that the vintage Barbie had a unique appeal and became the inspiration for her character in the video. She spent hours looking at different photos of vintage Barbie hairstyles, selecting the classic blonde look with a high ponytail and curly bangs. Eilish admits that she didn't anticipate the challenges of wearing a full wig for the entire video, but she was determined to bring her vision to life.

The Difficulty of Creating the Barbie Look

Creating the Barbie look for the video proved to be more challenging than Eilish had anticipated. The process involved finding the right shade of blonde for the wig and ensuring that the hair looked natural and flowing. Eilish praises her hairstylist, Ben Mohabi, for his dedication and skill in creating the intricate Barbie hairstyle. She explains that the wig had to be styled directly on her head, making it a time-consuming task. Despite the challenges, Eilish expresses her excitement and satisfaction with the end result.

The Significance of the Yellow Dress

Throughout the video, Eilish is seen wearing a yellow dress, which holds special significance for her. She explains that the color yellow has been a personal favorite since her early days as an artist. It was the color she wore every single day when she was first known to the public. Eilish notes that wearing yellow in the video was a way for her to pay homage to that period of her life and to emphasize that it is still an essential part of her identity.

The Selection Process for the Miniature Outfits

Choosing the miniatures outfits to include in the video was a meticulous process. Eilish wanted each outfit to represent significant moments in her career and evoke a sense of nostalgia. She specifically wanted to focus on outfits worn before 2020, symbolizing her transition into a more mature version of herself. Working closely with her team, Eilish selected outfits that held personal meaning to her and that she believed would resonate with her fans.

Collaborating with Mattel for the Miniatures

To bring her vision of the miniatures to life, Eilish collaborated with Mattel, the company behind the Barbie franchise. She worked closely with Sarah Piquette and Liam Moore from Mattel to ensure that every detail of the miniature outfits was accurately portrayed. Eilish was particularly impressed with the level of precision and attention to detail that Mattel demonstrated, especially when recreating specific elements of her past outfits, such as the black goo from her "When The Party's Over" music video.

Recreating Specific Moments from Eilish's Career

The video showcases several specific moments from Eilish's career through the miniature outfits. From the black chains worn during the "Lovely" music video to the yellow rain suit from "Bellyache," each outfit represents a significant memory or milestone for Eilish. The attention to detail in recreating these moments was crucial to accurately capturing the essence of her career and making the video feel authentic.

The Complexities of Shooting a One-Take Video

Eilish explains that shooting a one-take video like "What Was I Made For?" is akin to performing a dance routine. It requires precise choreography and coordination between the camera movements, music, and performance. Eilish is specific about the rhythm and flow she wants to achieve in her visuals, drawing from her background as a dancer. She acknowledges the challenges of directing and acting simultaneously but emphasizes the importance of clear communication to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Eilish's Collaboration with Her Mother

Throughout her career, Eilish has had a close working relationship with her mother. She often involves her in the creative process, utilizing her as a stand-in during video shoots to help visualize the camera movements and overall aesthetic. Eilish values her mother's feedback and appreciates her ability to understand her artistic vision. She emphasizes the important role her mother plays in bringing her ideas to life.

In conclusion, "What Was I Made For?" is a music video that not only showcases Eilish's unique artistic vision but also reflects her personal journey and growth as an artist. From the Barbie aesthetic to the selection of miniatures outfits, each element was carefully chosen to capture the essence of Eilish's career and evoke a sense of nostalgia. The video's one-take nature adds an additional layer of complexity, requiring meticulous coordination and precision from all involved. Through her collaboration with Mattel and her close working relationship with her mother, Eilish was able to bring her creative vision to life successfully. The reception of the video has been overwhelming, with fans connecting deeply with the song and its visuals. Overall, "What Was I Made For?" is a testament to Eilish's ability to convey profound emotions through her art, leaving a lasting impact on her audience.

Please note that the headings may change slightly during the writing process to ensure the article flows smoothly.