Audiences packed the Bryant Park tents, where the enthusiastically anticipated show took place, and witnessed real-size Barbies giving life to the toy world that has spiced up the childhood of many generations. The world’s largest toy maker made the most of the popular doll’s half-a-century anniversary to bring Barbie back in style and thus increase deteriorating sales.

 

Approximately 500 one foot-tall dolls were lined up in the entry hall inside gigantic letters spelling out the fashionable toy’s name. While playful pink curtains split to reveal brief videos of Barbie throughout time, the first model took over the runway wearing a black and white bathing suit that reminded crowds of the first Mattel dolls.

 

The models who impersonated various Barbie moments were dressed in designer outfits created by 50 of the best-known names in the fashion industry. Among the fashion houses that contributed to the event were Vera Wang, Badgley Mischka, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.

 

Barbie did not forget about Valentine’s Day either. Her long-time beau, Ken, hit the catwalk wearing a black Kenneth Cole tuxedo, while Barbie’s white T-shirt read: “Everyone needs a Ken.”

 

The show was part of a tactic designed by Mattel to give a new lease of life to the Barbie mania, which lost ground in favor of more jittery dolls, such as MGA Entertainment’s Bratz range.