Bye Barbie, hi tomato girl

This week will surely go down in history as the one where the fashion world finally moved on from Barbie pink. We all knew it would take a lot to topple bubblegum, but after more weeks, months and possibly years than anyone can care to remember, another colour has sailed into the top spot. Which mighty hue is this? Why, red, of course. It had to be. No other colour speaks of power, energy and leadership more than red.

Although this isn’t any old red, you understand. This is Tomato Red – as seen on Tomato Girl. As role models go, Tomato Girl is rather unassuming. She doesn’t have a doll created in her image, nor did she star in the second highest-grossing film of the year. But that’s the point. Like all the best / most ludicrous microtrends, Tomato Girl started on Tiktok, though you can also find her on the Amalfi Coast, toting a basket and wearing gold jewellery, statement shades, espadrilles and a printed dress. Unlike her shiny pink counterpart, Tomato Girl doesn’t require hairspray or heels: she’s laid back and breezy, her look a quintessence of effortless summer style. 

Would Tomato Girl gain as much coverage if it wasn’t August? No. But it is, and both PRs and fashion pages alike are going mad for her. As silly season stories go, it’s not even a silly one. Who wouldn’t want a stylish, wearable-at-any-age Tomato Girl summer? Proof, if any more were needed, that on a slow news day, Tiktok will always come through.