Participants of the "Walk of Fame" fashion show prepare to enter the stage during the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 28, 2006. The 2006 Convention was organized by local doll clubs of California with hundreds of dealers and collectors from different parts of the U.S. and the world in attendance.
A group of women dressed as Barbie dolls participate at the "Walk of Fame Fashion Show" during the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 28, 2006. Mattel's doll debuted at the New York Toy Fair in 1959.
Nicole Pederson of New York poses with a 1978 "Ballerina Barbie" during the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 28, 2006. Pederson, the daughter of a lesbian feminist from the 1960s, begged her mother to buy her a Ballerina Barbie, but her mother consistently refused. She later bought the doll for herself at a convention.
An artist creation set is on display at the competition room during a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. The doll's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts and was named after creator Ruth Handler's daughter. Barbie has often been used to promote gender equality as an example that women can "be anything" and has taken up many occupations over the years.
"Le Papillon" Barbie is displayed at the "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" during a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. Costume designer Bob Mackie, who has dressed high profile Hollywood celebrities such as Cher and Carol Burnett, designed the butterfly doll in 1999 in celebration of Barbie's 40th anniversary. He has developed several costumes for Barbie dolls during his years working with Mattel.
Designer Bob Mackie's "Fantasy Goddess of Africa" Barbie is displayed at the "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" exhibit at the Hyatt Regency during a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. The regal doll from Mackie's 1999 collection was limited to less than 20,000 worldwide.
Ric Markin, a doll collector from Texas, fixes a Barbie doll in his room at the Hyatt Regency during a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. Markin was introduced to the Barbie doll in his childhood after his younger sister received a doll as a present. He runs a doll club in Dallas called "Club 1959" named after the date in which Barbie was first introduced to the U.S. at a toy fair in New York.
The original Lili doll is photographed in front a German flag at a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. The doll, which inspired the creation of Barbie, was based on a sexy cartoon character in a popular German newspaper.
The original "No. 1 Ponytail" Barbie doll is displayed at the "Treasures from Mattel's Vault" exhibit during the 2006 Barbie Convention in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. The first edition of the doll was issued in 1959 and features white irises, blue eyeliner and sharply arched eyebrows. In excellent shape with box and accessories, it can fetch $25,000.
Willena Nanton of New York poses in front of a backdrop depicting two African-American Barbies at a Barbie Convention event in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. Nanton, a passionate collector of African-American Barbies, own some 400 dolls that are on display in her house. The Hotel is hosting the 2006 Barbie Doll Collectors Convention with the attendance of hundreds of dealers and collectors.
Hillary James, right, a Barbie Doll dealer waits for customers with two helpers in her hotel room at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. James, a native of Amble, Pa., makes her living selling Barbie dolls, which she calls "a nostalgic item that bring nice memories to woman." She travels selling and buying rare dolls from other collectors, and recently published a catalog of vintage dolls.
A woman sits in front of her table where she displays vintage Barbie dolls at the salesroom of the 2006 Barbie Dolls Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 27, 2006. A Mattel spokesperson said the 25,000-square-foot showroom represented the biggest Barbie marketplace in history.
A Barbie doll is displayed at the room of two Italian collectors and dealers at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. "Barbie collectors from all over the world, not just the United States, come here to celebrate Barbie," explained Robert Best, principal designer for Mattel, Inc.'s Barbie Collector line.
Barbie dolls for sale are displayed in the hotel room of a dealer at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. More than 1,000 fans and collectors of Barbie crammed the hotel for the 2006 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention. Barbie, the world's most well-known and best-selling doll, debuted at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.
Alessandro and Giuseppe, collectors and dealers from Rome, pose in front of one of their creations in their room at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. Both are set decorators and costume designers and have picked Barbie as "she is the perfect model, she is the best we could find in the fashion dolls. She is so nice and quiet and she has the perfect size ... 11 and 1/2 inches," they said.
A Barbie doll created by Alessandro and Giuseppe of Italy is displayed in a private room during the 2006 Barbie Doll Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006.
A Barbie doll is displayed at the room of two Italian collectors and dealers during the 2006 National Barbie Collectors Convention in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. Many designers have designed clothing for Barbie. Among them are Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Bob Mackie, Nicole Miller, Christian Dior, Donatella Versace and Juicy Couture.
A Barbie doll wearing a replica of the Valentino dress worn by actress Julia Roberts when she won her Best Actress Oscar for her role in "Erin Brockovich" is on display in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. Created in 1959, Barbie has become an cultural icon with collectors around the world.
A Barbie doll is displayed at the room of two Italian collectors and dealers at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. The doll is wearing an exact replica of the Carolina Herrera gown worn by actress Renee Zellweger when she won her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Cold Mountain" in 2004.
A brunette version of the original "No. 1 Ponytail" Barbie is displayed at the room of two Italian collectors and dealers at the Hyatt Regency in Los Angeles on July 26, 2006. Hundreds of dealers and collectors attended the four-day Barbie Collectors Convention.