Billie Eilish [1] transforms into her own idealized version of a Barbie doll for the "What Was I Made For? [2]" music video, released as part of the "Barbie" movie soundtrack [3]. 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 [4], from the white tweed Chanel suit she sported at the 2020 Oscars [5] to the custom-made, logo-emblazoned Gucci ensemble she rocked at the Grammys [6] 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 [7], 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 [8], 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 [9] on July 9. Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" [10] will be released in theatres on July 21.
