Barbie world

She's tall, blonde — and at the age of 50, hit Dubai Fashion Week's (DFW) catwalk to close the five-day event on Thursday night.

Barbie, the imperfectly proportioned doll has inspired countless little girls, awful pop songs and, this season, 27 designers from the region and beyond.

Thursday's final show, which ended this season's DFW with a hot pink flourish, was bursting at the seams with Dubai's most stylish, despite it not starting until near midnight. They were all there to see designers having a little fun after what was a week of hard work and creativity.

Crowd favourites included a beautiful soft pink abaya from local duo Kanzi and Rabia Z's sophisticated pink satin jumpsuit, teamed with one of her signature headscarves.

At the opposite end of the clothing spectrum, the opening look of a bright pink sequinned swimsuit got the show off to a fun, risque start. Many designers kept the pink to a minimum and played to their strengths:

Tailoring supremo HSY's Barbie was a '70s roller girl in a flared white suit, while Furne One's Amato label sent out a dramatic fairy-queen green and maroon dress.

Designers and the doll
To celebrate five decades of Barbie, 27 designers at the Dubai Fashion Week each created a look for the imperfectly proportioned doll. tabloid! spoke to four of the designers.

Ayesha Depala

What is your favourite Barbie? Why do you like her?

My first Barbie was given to me by my dad in the 1980s . I was around 8 or 10. It was special to me, because in India getting a Barbie was like getting an ultimate toy. With a Barbie in our hand, we felt a clout of sorts. So my favourite Barbie was my very first one.

Do you think Barbie should be made a style icon with her impossibly slim figure?

Yes, absolutely. It is healthier to be slim than to be obese. If you look at the two ends of the spectrum – size zero or size 24 – I think it is better to be two sizes away from being healthy. Also, Barbie doesn't look unwell – she has shapely breasts and bottoms!

How was the experience of creating an outfit for Barbie?

It was her 50th anniversary and that made the creation of the outfit more memorable. Had it not been her 50th birthday, I would have made something credit-crunch friendly. But in this case I went all out and had immense fun.

Sohad Acouri

What is your favourite Barbie? Why do you like her?

My fav Barbie is the glamorous wild one.

Do you think Barbie should be made a style icon with her impossibly slim figure?

They are gorgeous even slim, so young girls will avoid eating junk food and [keep to] healthy food. By the way, Barbie is not anorexic – she is sporty and healthy.

How was the experience of creating an outfit for Barbie?

She is my adventurer Barbie! My dress [features a] mermaid-style upper, made of silk chiffon with printed brown zebra on olive green panels. It is kind of savage [and creates a] wild, savanna, safari impression. It is combined with dark brown leather with tiger furs. The dress is expensive: chiffon panels from France, leather purchased from Beirut made by an Italian company. One week of tailoring. My challenge was to combine the purity of chiffon with the thick leather – not easy!

Meher & Riddhima

What is your favourite Barbie? Why do you like her?

A: Riddhima: My favourite Barbie was the Birthday Barbie my mum had bought me many years ago – I will never forget how graceful Barbie looked in a long flowing peach dress and how just looking at the doll I wanted to get more and more dresses for her and experiment with her looks. I still have that particular doll at my mum's place, it has sentimental value.

Do you think Barbie should be made a style icon with the impossibly slim figure?

Meher, Riddhima: A style icon is someone who is known for their uniqueness and individuality while dressing and presenting themselves. Barbie over the years has effortlessly and at times dramatically managed to carry off various looks and styles – she has single-handedly personified careers and occasions, and has embodied grace and confidence –hence we believe Barbie should indeed be a style icon. Barbie's figure and proportions should be immaterial here, because she epitomises ambition and ability and we feel that is what a lot of girls seek in a role model.

How was the experience of creating an outfit for Barbie?

Riddhima: My mind goes back to my childhood days where I'd play with my friends and would love to dress up my Barbie dolls in all kinds of stylish clothes. My Barbie had a huge wardrobe, with various clothes and accessories. And I remember my friend once got an Indian Barbie who wore a yellow and red silk sari that was too stiff. All I kept thinking at that time was if I ever made clothes I would love to create a stunning dress for Barbie. Now years later I am dressing Barbie in my taste – the Meher & Riddhima style! The colour and fabric choice was much debated between Meher and me, but I had to fulfill my childhood wish!

Meher: Meher & Riddhima personifies individuality with understated elegance and that is the premise that all three designs have been created on... Barbie's own personal style is being accentuated through our Grecian-inspired silhouettes and the fresh and bright coloured macramé flowers, which will hopefully exude even more confidence and highlight what Meher & Riddhima stand for.

Furne One

What is your favourite Barbie? Why do you like her?

A: I would have to say it was the 1987 Christmas Edition Barbie. Basically, she looked a lot like the Barbie we have now – big hair, sweet smile and svelte figure. But what I really liked about her, was the red gown she was wearing. It was all sparkly and it really looked special, like something someone would wear during the holiday season.

Do you think Barbie should be made a style icon with the impossibly slim figure?

Why not? Her slim figure is what exactly what made her so popular in the first place. And besides, she's a doll; a fashion fantasy doll. She is in no way trying to emulate the vital statistics of a real woman.

How was the experience of creating an outfit for Barbie?

My design is both fun and sophisticated. It doesn't talk down to women, yet at the same time, doesn't alienate the 13-year-olds who love and collect her. The most challenging part was where I had to make sure the design would have a sleek, grown-up feel, yet retain Barbie's trademark frills and girlish appeal.