Stunning Jamy G explains 'Barbiecore' and the importance of "You Can Be Anything"

Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated 'Barbie' has been getting hype from every corner of the internet lately, and the "rivalry" between it and Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer has been nothing short of fascinating and hilarious. There's a lot riding on this movie, and I'm not just talking about a huge multi-media franchise spanning over 50 years' worth of history.

But why does 'Barbara Millicent Roberts' hold such a powerful spot in our culture? And how has that role changed with the advent of social media and a fast-paced trend ecosystem that seems to pick things up as easily as it ditches them? And what is this new "Barbiecore" trend we keep hearing more and more about? There are many people who we could ask, but we're fortunate enough to have just the right kind of expert for this one: Enter Latin beauty and Playboy Playmate of the Year New Zealand in July 2022, Jamy G.

Jamy G is a multifaceted individual who wears many hats. She is a model, a certified nutritionist, and a health enthusiast. She was born and raised in Westport, Connecticut, but moved to New York City at the age of 17 to pursue her fashion and modeling dreams.

GREAT TALKING TO YOU AGAIN, JAMY! WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?
Thank you! You too. You know, I’m just trying to keep up and having fun doing it!

JUST WHAT IS BARBIECORE FASHION EXACTLY? WHY DO YOU LOVE IT?
Well, we all had Barbies when we were younger and we all know that she had virtually every job possible. She went from a pastry chef to a ballerina, then rode that pink convertible to her next gig as an astronaut. With such an impressive resume, it’s no wonder she’s making a comeback with the most notable figures in the fashion and film industry. Valentino dedicated a whole season using only the color pink. Versace’s latest collection was inspired by the Barbie-approved shade as well, so it’s just been dripping into our culture full-on. Not to mention the film Barbie being released this summer, which is sure to be a blockbuster and affect the trend even further.

WHAT DOES BARBIE AS AN ICON MEAN FOR YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?
To me, she was the influential “it-girl” of her day. She was a diverse representation of women in all areas of society, including media, politics, business, science, and technology — and she did it all in a pair of heels.

DID IT ALWAYS PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR TASTE IN FASHION AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE?
To a certain extent, every girl wants to feel like a Barbie. She’s feminine, in shape, and always smiling. I think a lot of women can take some notes from Barbie's book.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE BARBIE GROWING UP? WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE TOY'S CONCEPT?
That’s easy. It was the Totally Hair Barbie. She had a short, hot-pink, Pucci-esque dress with long, blonde hair to her ankles. In some ways, playing with her you can imagine you look like that — and it’s a good feeling to want to feel pretty. I found it motivating to say the least. It pushed me to want to look better and step further into my femininity. 

WITH THE RELEASE OF THE FILM, I'M SURE ATTENTION HAS SPIKED FOR THIS FASHION TREND. ANY COOL DEVELOPMENTS? WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS LIKE?
The aesthetic which is the latest core trend is definitely making its rounds. It’s influencing the A-listers’ wardrobes and I’m more than happy to welcome its bright, bubbly, and bold shade.

WHAT DOES "BARBIECORE" LOOK LIKE FOR MEN? DO YOU SEE A POSSIBILITY OF "KENCORE" NOW THAT THE MOVIE HAS EVEN CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF A MALE AUDIENCE?
I would hope so. Living in West Hollywood, I’m used to seeing well-groomed men. So, I’m hoping it inspires those who don’t keep up their appearance as much to maybe put a bit more effort into the way they look. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with looking sexy.

WHAT OTHER FASHION STYLES AND AESTHETICS DO YOU FEEL COMPLEMENT THIS ONE THE BEST?
If the industry has an eye on recession, we could well be in for a return to quiet luxury. In the meantime, I think the denim Y2K mantle will be up for spring and complement that Barbiecore look.

WHAT ABOUT A STYLE THAT DOESN'T QUITE MATCH? IS THERE ANY AESTHETIC OUT THERE YOU ALSO ENJOY THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY FIT WITH THIS VIBRANT PINK AND PLASTIC FEVER DREAM THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE GAINING MORE ATTENTION FROM FASHIONISTAS AND DESIGNERS ALIKE?
I for sure want to see more of the mermaid-style aesthetic — that oceanic vibe with colors that range from seafoam green to ultraviolet, iridescence, and metallic shines. Mermaid romanticism is another key aspect of the trend with its dangling ruffles, scalloped edges, and cascading fabrics to create the fluidity of motion. It’s a fun aesthetic that’s not meant to be taken too seriously. We are, after all, discussing mermaids.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based.

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant  ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.