New York's semi-annual Fashion week proudly featured models styled as Mattel Inc's fashion icon Barbie Doll took to the catwalk in designer outfits. In other words, Barbie, that icon of girlhood everywhere, celebrated her 50th birthday in suitably glamorous style as 50 designers created 50 looks inspired by Barbie through the generations - the early years, contemporary fashion and the future.

Models showed off twinkling outfits, tiaras and the black and white bathing suit the first Barbie wore in 1959. A young woman wearing a T-shirt that read "everyone needs a Ken" appeared holding the hand a man bearing a striking resemblance to Barbie's plastic fiancé.

The front row was packed with celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Kelly Pickler and Annie Leibovitz. Also attending were some of the contributing designers: Diane Von Furstenberg, Catharine Malandrino and Brian Reyes.

Moreover it appeared that almost everyone attending the show was allowed to bring their child, another guest, or a close friend. Some little girls, such as Kimora Lee Simmons' kids Ming and Aoki, walked the runway with the models. Others sat front row. As the show commenced, a huge jumbo screen with images of the dolls played backdrop to the catwalk.

According to Mattel, 90 percent of girls aged between 3 and 10 own at least one Barbie doll. But like many other toys, Barbie sales have taken a beating from lackluster holiday shopping, falling 21 percent in the fourth quarter last year when compared to 2007 fourth quarter earnings. No doubt the dramatic decrease in sales is due in part to the global economic crisis, but a younger target base for Barbie is also to blame.