Barbie inspires fashion for 50 years

This week on the Features desk, we are paying tribute to a true style icon. The tall blonde who taught me how to match my shoes to my outfit and do perfect — albeit tacky and a bit over the top — eye makeup, the one and only Barbie.

2009 marks the 50th birthday of the classic doll which has evolved with the times from a blonde in her unforgettable black-and-white-striped bathing suit, to a line of dolls representative of women of a range of cultures, professions and ethnicities.

While I could launch into a debate about her physical dimensions being only attainable by supermodels and aliens, I feel the logistics are best left to another entry. No matter if you think she is too tall, too thin or just right, her popularity cannot be debated.

In order to mark this tremendous occasion, the fashion community collaborated to create the 2009 Barbie Runway Show, held Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York for the Fall 2009 collections.

The event was an entertaining and vibrant look at the history of Barbie, a figure in popular culture who epitomized the fashion forward, sophisticated woman. After all, she was originally called a “teen fashion model doll.”

While the designers covered everything from Barbie’s legendary gowns and leg-baring short shorts, my two personal favorites were a black baby doll cut dress by Erin Fetherston, complete with black hat and a empire-waisted pink gown with metallic brocade pattern by Viviene Tam. The black dress was a sleek, modern interpretation of Barbie fashion, which can sometimes seem outlandish and little less than practical. The pink floor-length gown was a familiar sight for Barbie fans. The dress was all about sparkle and glam and paying homage to Barbie’s signature color.

The choice of footwear, a Barbie pink peep toe pump with thick ankle strap, was simply spot on, looking plastic with the lights of the runway.

Overall, the show was fun to watch and it was interesting to see how the look and essence of such an iconic character has transcended time to both follow and influence not only the trends of fashion but the style and individuality of women.