MANILA, Philippines ? As a kid, my Barbie dolls never really experienced royal treatment. I didn?t display them up on shelves; they were placed in my toy bin just like all my other toys. They were also my first experiments in mixing and matching clothes-even if sometimes I had to ask my dad for help because I couldn?t figure out how to actually put the clothes on.

Years later, I find my inner kid all giddied-up at Philippine Fashion Week, watching my childhood toy on the runway in no less than designer clothes.

In celebration of her golden year, 50 Filipino designers showcased their one-of-a-kind creations at the ?Barbie Fashion Show? in SM Mall of Asia. From cocktail dresses to gowns to business suits to workout clothes, Barbie-looking models worked it on the all-pink runway?a tribute to the style icon who showed us just how fantastic plastic still is.

Classic and modern

?The idea was to bring in both young and more experienced designers,? said Maye Yao Co Say, VP for marketing of Richwell Trading Corporation.?To bring in a little bit of classic and a little bit of modern.?

The designers include: Aldrich Aparicio, Chris Diaz, Czarina Villa, Delby Bragais, Dimple Lim, Don Protasio, Eddie Castro, Edgar Madamba, Edgar San Diego, Eric Delos Santos, Gerry Katigbak, Jaki Peñalosa, Joel Escober, John Abul, John Paras, Julius Tarog, Len Nepomuceno-Guiao, Lizanne Cua, Lyle Ibañez, Martin Bautista, Melvin Lachica, Mich Dulce, Michelle Lim, Norman Noriega, Odelon Simpao, Oliver Tolentino, Pia Gladys Perey, Ramon Favila, Raoul Ramirez, Reian Mata, Richard Papa, Robin Tomas, Roel Rosal, Roland Lirio, Ronaldo Arnaldo, Sassa Jimenez, Veejay Floresca, Edwin Uy, Angelo Estera, John Herrera, Marlon Rivera, Paul Herrera, Yako Reyes, Estien Quijano, Enrico Carado, Jona Ballaran, Philipp Torres, Ziggy Savella, Shanon Pamaong and Gian Romano.

?We were asked to create a special piece just for her [and] I?m actually more excited about this one,? Don Protasio, one of the designers dressing Barbie, wrote in his blog.

They join the ranks of Prada, Cynthia Rowley, Christian Loboutin, Armani, Anna Sui, Christian Lacroix and Versace who have made items for and who have drawn inspiration from the doll.

Barbie exhibit

Also featured at the show was a Barbie exhibit from the collection of dancing diva and show host Regine Tolentino, which included designer Barbies, Filipiniana edition Barbies and Barbie fashion sketches done by Tolentino herself.

A lone Ken also strutted down the runway, sporting a $3 price tag?Barbie?s original sale price.
The best part of the show, however, was seeing all the girls get excited over the iconic doll. And although it was a fashion show, Barbie proves that it?s not just about the clothes: It?s the personality behind those clothes, it?s showing every girl can be who she wants to be?even at 50.