BARBIE – a euphemism for fabulous fantasy living and the cause of body dysmorphic disorder for little girls worldwide – pounded down the runway yesterday.
And, man – does she look good for 50!
Fifty New York designers’ custom creations adorned models sugared-up to represent three eras of the iconic doll – blonde ponytail Barbie, brunette bedhead Barbie and turban-wearing alien Barbie.
The looks ranged from jaw-droppingly spectacular, like Bob Mackie’s gold metallic Boudicca headdress atop a matching floor-length gown, to the minimalist ’70s-era sleepy-eyed louche beauty of Calvin Klein’s white dress on a model wrapped in plastic packaging.
Of course, no Barbie show could be complete without prom dresses – standouts include crystal-embellished ’50s-era crinoline dresses by red-carpet specialists Naeem Khan, Charles Chang Lima and Peter Som – and a charming school uniform from Rag & Bone.
Bad-girl Barbie – Kenneth Cole’s leather-clad toughie on the arm of a dead-ringer Ken – and Corvette-driving Barbie also made fleeting appearances. The most spectacular accessories of the day – spangly sparkly cat-eye sunglasses with rearview mirror-type attachments – shown with Vena Cava’s demure black sheath.
