Billie Eilish transforms into her own idealized version of a Barbie doll for the “What Was I Made For?” music video, released as part of the “Barbie” movie soundtrack. The 21-year-old musician, who created the song with brother and co-writer Finneas, channels a ’50s aesthetic, sporting a collar-less yellow shirtdress with buttons down the chest and an A-line skirt that fans out around her patent Mary Jane pumps. Eilish’s hair is blond, swept up into a high ponytail with curled ends and poufy Barbie bangs; and her makeup is soft with a glossy pink lip and plenty of highlighter. A quirky touch and subtle nod to Eilish’s real-life wardrobe comes in the form of four chunky bubble rings and swingy, ball-drop earrings.
Of course, the storyline is immediately made obvious as we see Eilish hang up miniature re-creations of some of her most notable red carpet looks in history, from the white tweed Chanel suit she sported at the 2020 Oscars to the custom-made, logo-emblazoned Gucci ensemble she rocked at the Grammys that same year. Eventually, a hurricane of sorts wipes out Eilish’s Barbie clothes, all of which she plucks carefully from a vintage 1962 doll trunk case, and her project is ruined. “Think I forgot how to be happy / Something I’m not, but something I can be / Something I wait for / Something I’m made for,” Eilish’s vocals croon, as we immediately understand she feels as though her choice in clothing — which has been both celebrated and critiqued by many — will continuously be scrutinized, and there’s frustration surrounding the pressure to be perfect, both inside and outside.
Eilish posted about the release of the video on Instagram, writing, “this video makes me cryyyyy.. it means so much to me and i hope it will mean just as much to you. don’t have much to say other than that, i think it will speak for itself🫀 :””) enjoy.”
Ahead, see stills of Eilish’s full look in the “What Was I Made For?” video, then see the pink separates she rocked on the red carpet at the LA premiere of the film on July 9. Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” will be released in theaters on July 21.