Olandria Carthen Shares Her “Barblandria” Coachella Style, Packing List, and Justin Bieber Excitement

The desert heat of Indio has a recent reigning queen this season. Olandria Carthen, the former Love Island star, has officially made her debut at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, transforming her first-ever experience into a high-fashion event she has dubbed “Ochella.” Stepping onto the festival grounds on Friday, April 10, 2026, Carthen didn’t just arrive as a guest—she arrived as a persona.

Embracing a partnership with the Barbie brand, Carthen has spent the weekend leaning into her “Barblandria” identity. This fusion of her own personal style and the iconic doll’s aesthetic was on full display during her visit to Barbie’s pink-themed activation, which featured a mirror mirage, a charm bar, and a photobooth. The highlight of the experience included a larger-than-life hologram featuring both Paris Hilton and Carthen herself, a moment she described as “uncanny and also downright fabulous.”

For Carthen, the transition to “Barblandria” is more than just a costume change; It’s a strategic brand evolution. Having recently secured a deal with Barbie as documented in her fashion archives, she is utilizing the festival’s global stage to showcase her “Black Girl Magic” and her ability to pivot from reality TV stardom to a curated fashion icon.

“This entire Coachella, I’m going to be Barblandria, and it’s going to be fab,” Carthen stated. “I named this weekend Ochella, as it’s my first one and I’m going with Barbie.”

The Art of the Festival Glow: Olandria’s Packing and Beauty Secrets

While many first-timers arrive at Coachella overwhelmed by the scale of the event, Carthen approached the weekend with a meticulous strategy. She revealed that her preparation process took weeks of planning to ensure she remained both comfortable and camera-ready throughout the festivities.

Her comprehensive packing list included essential survival gear and high-fashion accessories: mini fans, sunscreen, mini deodorant, cowboy hats, and a wide variety of bandanas. To protect her hearing during the loud performances, she also packed earplugs, and for her aesthetic, a diverse collection of press-on nails in various colors and sizes.

Central to her look is her signature “body glow,” a beauty technique she uses to ensure she is constantly “glistening.” This look is achieved by mixing body shimmer, oil, and sunscreen—a practical yet glamorous approach to handling the California sun while maintaining a red-carpet sheen.

From LBDs to Baby Phat: A Curated Fashion Journey

Carthen’s approach to Coachella fashion has been unconventional, eschewing the typical boho-chic fringe and flower crowns for more structured and daring silhouettes. Before even hitting the festival grounds, she set the tone at a pre-Coachella YSL Beauty party. For that appearance, she wore a $690 Tasha Mini Dress from the Vietnamese brand Fanci Club, a corseted little black dress (LBD) styled by Matthew and Reginald Reisman according to reports from Marie Claire.

The fashion evolution continued with a Barbie-inspired black-and-white bodysuit, recreating the doll’s 1959 swimsuit. However, her favorite look of the entire weekend is a “scandalous” brown outfit, custom-made by the legendary brand Baby Phat.

This versatility in style is a hallmark of Carthen’s current era. From her “Sportslandriaaaaa” phase, where she was named “Rookie of the Year” for her Sports Illustrated swimsuit debut in January 2026, to her recent appearance at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles featuring a jet-black pixie cut, Carthen is intentionally building a lasting empire through a diverse fashion portfolio as seen in the Carthen Archives.

Music, Mentality, and the Price of Fame

Beyond the wardrobe, Carthen’s festival experience is driven by a lifelong passion for music. She identified as a “Belieber” since childhood and expressed immense excitement for Justin Bieber’s Saturday performance. She specifically highlighted his track “Yukon,” noting her appreciation for his exploration of the R&B genre.

Her “festival vibe” is centered on energy and movement: “I feel like my festival vibe is that I’m going to be a dancer. Drink in my hand, dancing to the music,” she shared, noting that her beverage of choice for the weekend is a French 75.

However, the glamour of “Ochella” is balanced by the reality of her rapid ascent to fame. Carthen used the occasion to reflect on the intensity of her current lifestyle, noting the sacrifices required to build a personal brand. She admitted that the dedication and hard work involved in maintaining her public image can be “tiring,” yet she remains committed to adapting to this new reality.

To stay grounded, Carthen brought two of her best friends—both first-timers—to experience the festival with her. She emphasized that carving out time for friends and family is a non-negotiable commitment she has made since her rise to stardom.

Key Takeaways from Olandria’s Coachella Debut

• The Persona: Carthen adopted the name “Barblandria” for the weekend, partnering with Barbie for a series of high-profile activations.
• The Style: Her wardrobe ranged from a custom Baby Phat brown ensemble to a Fanci Club corseted LBD, avoiding traditional “boho” festival wear.
• The Prep: A weeks-long planning process involving a mix of shimmer, oil, and sunscreen for her signature “body glow.”
• The Music: A primary highlight of her weekend was seeing Justin Bieber perform, specifically praising his R&B influence in songs like “Yukon.”
• The Personal: Carthen emphasized the importance of supporting her inner circle and the mental toll of building a celebrity brand.

As the festival winds down, Carthen’s plan for recovery is as disciplined as her packing list. After days of nonstop activity and dancing, she intends to spend Monday binge-watching shows and resting in bed to recharge.

With her “Barblandria” era in full swing and her presence expanding across major fashion and beauty platforms, the industry will be watching to see how Carthen leverages this momentum in the coming months. For now, the “desert queen” has successfully turned her first Coachella into a masterclass in personal branding.

Do you think the “Barblandria” aesthetic is the new direction for festival fashion? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which of Olandria’s looks was your favorite.