Andrea Barber stars in a nostalgic Kizik campaign inspired by her Full House character Kimmy Gibbler, blending '90s sitcom humor with hands-free footwear innovation
NEED TO KNOW
In an exclusive interview, Barber tells PEOPLE all about embracing comfort-first fashion, the journey of motherhood and her evolving confidence
The actress also shares updates on her close bond with the Full House cast, plans for the 40th anniversary in 2027, and more on her life today—from family routines to New Kids on the Block fandom
There are few entrances in television history as unmistakable as Kimmy Gibbler bursting through the front door of the Tanner family's San Francisco Victorian home: uninvited, unapologetic and impossible to ignore. Decades later, Andrea Barber is tapping back into that same unfiltered, chaotic charm for anew campaign with Kizik— and PEOPLE has all the exclusive details.
In the nostalgic new spot, Barber leans all the way into the heightened world of '90s sitcom comedy, blending exaggerated reactions, fourth-wall breaks and playful absurdity all while wearing thebrand's signature hands-free sneakers. Each step into a new pair transports her into a different Kimmy-coded scenario mirroring a life milestone, from a first date makeout session to a gender reveal. It's bright, bold and filled with Kimmy-coded catchphrases.
That blend of comfort meets comedy is at the heart of the campaign, directed by Mike Egan with cinematography by Julia Swain. Featuring best-selling styles like theAthens 2,SienaandMonaco, the campaign doesn't just sell shoes, it sells ease, something Barber has fully embraced in this chapter of her life.
For Barber, the tone wasn't something she had to rediscover so much as something she instinctively slipped back into. "There is something about that '90s sitcom energy with the big reactions and the laugh track and the cheesiness and the physical comedy that, for me, is all muscle memory," she tells PEOPLE. "It's so easy to slip right back into that world, and the Kizik shoes fit right into that sitcom world because they're easy and comfortable. It feels like a warm hug, but it's also quirky and fun at the same time."
That sense of ease extends beyond the set. Long before the partnership became official, Barber was a Kizik convert. She had found her way to the brand on her own, prompted not by trend cycles but by sheer practicality. After moving into a three-story home, she found herself unwilling to pause her day for something as simple as bending down to put on her shoes. "I just Googled slip-on shoes, and Kizik was the first result that came up," she says. "I didn't want something matronly or something that made me feel like I was five years old wearing no-tie shoes. I saw them and thought, 'These are adorable,' and I ordered a pair. I still have them."
What began as a small convenience quickly became a household shift, one she jokes even turned into a personal victory after herFull Houseco-star Jodie Sweetin initially teased her before ultimately becoming a fan herself. "She made fun of me and said, 'Oh, are we that age now? We're in the step-in shoe phase?' and I told her, 'Don't knock it until you try it.' The next time she saw me wearing them, she said, 'Your shoes are so cute,' and I got to say, 'Uh-huh, those are my Kiziks.' It was a gotcha moment—and now she loves them too. My whole family wears them. It's fantastic."
For Barber, convenience isn't just a preference but a necessity. As a mom of two, she describes her daily routine as a constant balancing act where even targeting the smallest efficiencies can make a meaningful difference. "I'm juggling wardrobe and backpack and computer and dog and all of the things, and I'm like, 'I don't have time to stop and sit down and tie my shoes,'" she says. "It sounds so simple, but just having one more thing taken off your plate that you don't have to think about, it really does change your day."
That practicality has even reshaped her household. "Anyone with kids knows the mudroom situation, shoes everywhere, heels crushed down because no one wants to take the time to put them on properly. And I thought, not anymore. Now we've got Kiziks in my mudroom, and it actually looks tidy. No more mashed-down heels."
While the campaign plays like a love letter to Kimmy Gibbler's larger-than-life persona, Barber's relationship with the character has evolved significantly over time. As a teenager, embodying Kimmy's bold, often outrageous style came with its own set of insecurities.
"At 15, I already felt so self-conscious, and I didn't want to wear neon tights and crazy accessories. I was worried about what kids at school would think," she recalls. "But as an actor, you get tunnel vision. You're like, 'I have a job to do,' so you push through it. And honestly, it made me more resilient. I learned to let the comments roll off my back."
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That resilience has matured into something far more grounded as she approaches a milestone birthday in July, bringing with it a level of self-acceptance she didn't have in her early years. "As I approach 50, I just feel so much more comfortable in my own skin, especially compared to teenage me. I'm comfortable poking fun at myself, wearing wacky things, smiling and laughing at myself. It's a great feeling to just be at ease with who you are."
The newfound comfort also defines her personal style, which stands in sharp contrast to Kimmy's maximalist wardrobe. Barber describes herself as proudly "anti-trend," favoring pieces that prioritize ease over statement.
"I don't keep up with trends. I do my own thing," she says. "I'm all about straight-leg jeans, a side part, and just clothes that feel good. My style is baggy, air-flowy and neutral…pretty boring, honestly. I am the anti-Kimmy Gibbler."
Still, there are small overlaps between the actress and her iconic character, most notably her long-standing fandom of New Kids on the Block. "That's probably the biggest crossover," she says. "I have 15, maybe 20 hoodies—some from back in the day, some current—and I wear them all the time. That's the one place where me and Kimmy truly align."
Even as she embraces the present, Barber remains deeply connected to the past, particularly when it comes to herFull Housefamily. The cast still keeps in touch through a long-running group chat filled with jokes, holiday messages and shared memories, many of which center around late co-star Bob Saget.
"Anytime a photo or video of Bob pops up, I send it to the group chat," she says, recalling a particularly vivid memory of Saget turning a private flight into an impromptu comedy routine. "He got on the intercom and did the whole flight attendant safety spiel in his own style, it had everyone laughing. Those are the moments we hold onto."
Looking ahead, there's already anticipation building around the show's 40th anniversary in 2027, a milestone the cast fully intends to commemorate in some way. "We will be doing something, we just don't know exactly what that's going to be yet," Barber says, hinting at early conversations while acknowledging that nothing is officially set.
As for the possibility of revisiting the franchise again, opinions remain mixed, but the affection is unanimous. "Some of us would jump at the chance, others feel like it wouldn't be the same," she explains. "And it wouldn't, but we all just love being together. Any excuse to reunite is a good one."
In many ways, that sentiment, balancing nostalgia with forward momentum, mirrors Barber's current chapter. The Kizik campaign may playfully revisit the past, but it's grounded in a present-day reality where comfort, confidence and authenticity take center stage. And much like the shoes she now swears by, everything about it feels intentionally easy: step in, move forward and don't overthink it.
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