FASHION has had plenty of brand battles in the past, but perhaps none was as odd as this one: Barbie vs. Hello Kitty. Just think about it. In New York City last week, designs inspired by the classic American doll and the Japanese cartoon character faced off. Barbie celebrated her 50th anniversary with a runway show, complete with models. Meanwhile, Hello Kitty threw her own fashion party. It's still too early to tell which diva will win out, but if age is any indicator, Hello Kitty, 34, may have the edge. "I love that there is an innocence about Hello Kitty, but she's also sexy," designer Esteban Cortazar told The New York Times. Cortazar is one of 30 designers who made Hello Kitty dresses for a recent charity auction on eBay. Designer David Blond, meanwhile, created dresses for both shows. Which toy brand would he put his money on? "I would go with Hello Kitty," Blond told The Times. "There are enough girls coming to the show who look like Barbies already."