New York Fashion, Fall 2009: Barbie

Barbie turns 50 this year.  She looks great for her age, doesn’t she?  But then again, she’s made out of plastic.  To commemorate Barbie’s 50th year, a runway show was put together featuring 50 different looks by 50 different American designers.

Now Barbie is fashionable, glamorous icon, so it’s only fitting, that a fashion show erected to celebrate her birthday.  There’s no denying that Barbie was, and still is, an influence in lots of girls lives.  She’s a girl’s introduction to fashion and style.  I have plenty of childhood memories of dressing up my Barbies – experimenting and creating different looks with clothes and hair.

The runway show consisted of various looks – ranging from the retro ’50s to more futuristic and edgier pieces that incorporate clear plastic elements.  And true to form, there were plenty of Barbie’s signature color, pink, to be found on the runway.

The fun show was definitely a highlight during New York Fashion week.

My favorite Barbie look was the Koi Suwannagate pink strapless mini butterfly dress.  It just screams Barbie.  I also like the Costello Tagliapierta red dress.  It’s very old Hollywood glamourous.  But it somehow reminds me more of the movie Sabrina, than of Barbie.  The Vera Wang dress, is exactly like a dress I had for one of my Barbies back in the day.  My least favorite dress is the Catherine Malandrino patriotic flag dress.  I also thought the Derek Lam, Tory Burch, and Anna Sui ensembles were a little too understated for Barbie.

(L-R: Koi Suwannagate, Costello Tagliapietra, Rachel Roy, Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson, Reem Acra, Peter Som, Yigal Azrouel, Monique Lhuillier, Vera Wang, Baby Phat, Tory Burch, Badgley Mischka, Norma Kamali, Yeohlee, Chris Benz, Erin Fetherston, The Blonds, Rebecca Taylor, Brian Reyes, Tibi, Tracey Reese, House of Field, Bob Mackie, Twinkle, Kenneth Cole, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg, Marchesa, Tommy Hilfiger, Tuleh, Rosa Cha, Michael Kors, Three as Four, Kai Khun, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Catherine Malandrino, Anna Sui, Nicole Miller)