Bratz vs. Barbie showdown

Michelle Osorio

It hit me while I was browsing the toy aisle at Wal-Mart amid hula-hoops and rubber balls. They -- Bratz dolls -- are everywhere, like tiny underdressed and overly made-up plastic children. I couldn't help but wonder which genius had thought up the concept to create a "brat" -- one who looks like she wears too much makeup, not enough clothes and has no real talent to speak of.

I'm sure the meeting at Bratz-maker MGA Entertainment, when it came up with the concept, went something along the lines of: "So, that Barbie has been taking over the world for a while. Why don't we make a trashy version of it, give it smoky eyes and a bad wardrobe and see them fly off the shelves?" [MORE]

Diane VonFurstenberg Barbie

Wow, Diane VonFurstenberg’s Barbie dress comes in human sizes. No need to copy a Barbie outfit, you can have the real thing.

This wrap dress is cute but I’d prefer Robert Best’s designs from his Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

Perhaps that another direction Mattel should consider. Life-size Barbie fashions, I’m feeling it……

Lest I forget, VonFurstenberg’s Barbie dress is available at select boutiques.