TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP / Getty Images
Saturday afternoon, in front of a crowd of more than 1,000, Mattel staged a glitzy runway show honoring the birth of one of the world's most famous blonds: Barbie. Models sporting identical high ponytails paraded designs from houses as varied as Monique Lhullier, Marchesa and Alexander Wang before a front row that included Diane von Furstenberg, Peter Som, Kimora Lee Simmons and Fern Mallis. The fete included three different runway shows "based on interpretations of classic, modern and future Barbie," says the Wall Street Journal. The affair "was a stark contrast from the scaled-back tones and serious atmosphere that many designers have signaled they are going to tap into this season," the WSJ says. Can you blame them? 'Recessionista Barbie' or 'Banker-turned-broke Ken' dolls wouldn't exactly fly off shelves.