Mattel, which makes Barbie dolls, put on a fashion show to celebrate the leggy blonde's 50th birthday.

ECONOMIST: Creative destruction meets haute couture

According to former Mattel designer Carter Bryant, messing with Barbie had become so taboo at the company that he took his idea for dolls with big heads and dressed in hip-hop clothes to competitor MGA in 2000--where they became Barbie's first true rival, Bratz.

FORBES: The Barbie Bust