Fashion Week: Near riotous conditions at Barbie

By Julie Gordon and Jessie Pascoe

"This is the most depressing thing in America," muffed a disgruntled blonde. No, she's not taking about the recession or the war or even subway delays. This was the general reaction at the Barbie Fashion Show at Bryant Park on Saturday. It seems the show was way overbooked so hundreds of doll fans were left crushed together in a chaotic line. No one one got a break, not even the dozens of kids brought along to the show at the invitations' request. Other audience reactions included declarations of "I have heat stroke," "Get off my shawl," "This is most ridiculous line," "This is a publicity gimmick" (this from a security guard!) and "These organizers are so incompetent." Of course, none was dramatic as the blonde's, but we have to agree that we haven't seen this crazy a line since Heatherette showed at the Tents — when the crowd was so tight our scarf ended up in someone's pants.

Photo credit: Getty