Redefining the Bimbo - NYFW SS23
Many designers featured striking hot pink designs in their collections this NYFW, a color closely associated with the Bimbocore trend, which has gained popularity among the masses over the past few years. This pink sensation is a demonstration of the trickle up and trickle down theories, and how the color is being juggled back and forth by both the streets and high fashion designers while collectively being celebrated by the whole.
What is Bimbocore?
Bimbocore is a niche aesthetic incapsulating the sartorial celebration of the bimbo persona, 'bimbo' referring to an attractive woman assumed to be lacking intelligence. Aesthetic garments and elements include Juicy Couture tracksuits, cheeky baby tees, low rise jeans, lingerie, miniskirts, exposed undergarments, and ultra pink details.
While anyone of any race, gender, body type, sexual orientation, or style can be characterized as a bimbo, the original 'dumb blonde' concept centers around women simply being objects, characterized by their beauty, innocence, and physique, rather than their mental capabilities. Essentially, the antithesis of the femme fatale.
Bimbocore seeks to reclaim the word 'bimbo,' transforming its original sexist and objectifying meaning to be one of feminist liberation. Adopting this aesthetic and appeared progressive mindset demonstrates that it is okay to embrace the things you truly enjoy, despite our culture's double standards.
An original 'smart bimbo' Paris Hilton walks down the Versace runway in her glittery pink look.
Why Bimbocore is Aspirational
The rise in support for bimbos is observed to be a reaction to the current state of the world, with many unprecedented events taking place. With everything seeming to be crashing down, more and more women have the mentality of, 'you might as well look hot while it's happening.'
Growing up, many women were conditioned to suppress their femininity. Bimbocore is a movement that reclaims femininity and redefines the word 'bimbo.' Journalist Collette Grimes writes, "The Bimbo paradox compels women to police their behavior and appearance to not be seen as too 'ditzy,' denying themselves the pleasure of being girly and wearing pink for the sake of being taken seriously by men and other women who have internalized these misogynistic messages" (Hypebae, 2022).
Proponents of Bimbocore claim to be leftist, pro LGBTQ, anti-capitalist, and feminist. It is closely related to the Barbiecore aesthetic (which recently resurfaced due to excitement over Greta Gerwig's new project, the Barbie film), a feminist statement that empowers women to dress how they want without fear of judgment.
While there are two sides of the spectrum discussing whether dressing for yourself (especially with Bimbocore) is feminist or anti-feminist, this double-edged dilemma is ultimately the result of a patriarchal society that has conditioned its members to overanalyze and criticize the actions of a woman, and any other minority group deemed inferior to the white, straight, cis gender male persona.
To simplify, as Collette Grimes puts it, today's bimbos reject the impossible standards that women are held to. They wholeheartedly embrace their sugary rendition of femininity and sexuality as an act of liberation, and an act of resistance against a culture that regards anything and everything remotely 'girly' (gender norms are in fact a social construct) as weak, regardless of how society views them.
Zendaya drenched in Pink as the face of the Valentino Pink PP Collection.
The Color Pink and High Fashion
Hot Pink is the face of this aesthetic, which also happens to be the 'it color' on the runway this season. Many celebrities are popping up in Valentino Pink on red carpets, and designers like MSGM, Alice + Olivia, Versace, and Missoni featured the color in their Spring 2023 collections during NYFW. Elsa Schiaparelli is credited with the color's debut on the runway which she named 'Shocking Pink' inspired by pink Cartier jewels. The color is bright and life giving, pure, electric, and undiluted. Without a doubt, Bimbocore and the color pink is being embraced by designers on the runway and it is only just the beginning.
Various designers showcasing bimbo pink on the runway this season.
References:
Mina Le, Explaining the Hyperfemininity Aesthetic, Youtube (September 21, 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6yZi-Wrv8s
Collette Grimes, "TikTok's Bimbocore Trend is an Act of Modern Feminism," Hypebae (March 25, 2022) https://hypebae.com/2022/3/tiktok-bimbocore-trend-feminism-op-ed-elle-woods-kim-kardashian-paris-hilton
