It’s Oscar Time!
I am sitting here with my morning cup of coffee and reflecting on the Oscar show last night. It was definitely a night for fashion…but can I just say one thing…”Thank God for Hugh Jackman!”. Ms. Lawrence was navigating her Dior couture gown up the steps to receive her best actress award and tripped. This was a HUGE dress people and the poor girl did her best. I would have been tripping all over the place but that is not my point. My point is…there were many people who were closer to her to help but they didn’t. Instead, Hugh Jackman comes sprinting from the front row to help her up. Awwwww! As they say back where I grew up, “ Now somebody raised that boy right”.
On to the fashion….There were definitely some hits of the evening.
Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Couture
(Photo credit: MSN)
If there were no stairs involved, she definitely floated down the carpet in this dress. I believe it was the palest pink in hue and I loved seeing her in something soft after we had seen her in stronger reds and blacks at previous awards shows. She was a princess last night not an amazon. And she can definitely pull off both looks.
Anne Hathaway in Prada
Photo credit: Style.com
By all accounts, this was a last minute decision on her and her stylist’s part. Apparently she was all set to wear a Valentino and changed at the final moment. Again we see pale, pale pink. You know I am going to like it for the color alone. The fit could have been better on her but I loved this soft color and simple cut and design on her. The other reason I like this gown is because of …..
Photo credit: Just Jared
THE BACK! Just too cute for words. Conservative from the front and sexy from the back. Love it.
And…In the Pink!
Photo credit: Style.com
Charlize Theron in Dior Couture
Photo credit: Huffington Post
Loved this color and cut on her and was really digging the short hair cut. She had all her hair shaved off for a movie a couple months ago. She has the face and bone structure to be able to do this haircut well….many do not. I appreciated the simple and elegant jewelry here too.
Jessica Chastaine in Armani Privee
Photo credit: Huffington Post
If Jessica and her stylist were going for old Hollywood glamour, they NAILED it. I would have preferred to see a slightly different color on her ( a little too one note with her hair for me) but other than that….WOW! Simple, elegant, understated, beautiful.
Zoe Saldana in Alex Mabille
Photo credit: Style.com
The dress is a pure confection. Her expression in this photo… is not LOL! I am sure she must have been happier than this picture implies to be wearing this beautiful creation. Perhaps she had just spotted her ex ( cough Bradley Cooper cough) on the red carpet. Anywhoo…it appears to be a very pale lilac. LOVE the hem on this and the detail around the waist. I never would have thought I would have liked a belt on an evening gown but it works here.
There were many more high fashion notes from last nights red carpet but time only permits me to list a few. Now to the low notes, in my opinion, of the evening.
Helena Bonham Carter in Vivienne Westwood
Photo credit style.com
I have said it before and I will say it again….”Helena, comb…comb, Helena” This introduction NEEDS to be made. Also, no disrespect to the very fine talent of Vivienne Westwood but…the Queen called and she wants her dust ruffle back. Sorry people, I know Ms. Carter is quirky and incredibly talented. I am just not feeling the love for this look.
Selma Hyack in Alexander McQueen
Photo credit: Style.com
Is anyone else feeling the need to pull at their collar….like you are wearing a too tight turtleneck?? I think this gown fits her beautifully and she has the most amazing figure. I am just not feeling this dress on her. Perhaps it’s the model muse Barbie pose she is in. It just comes off as too stiff. Her shoulders do look AMAZING in this dress though.
And lastly….a picture so disturbing I had to avert my eyes the first time I say it….get ready folks…
Brandi Glanville in…well…I really don’t know but who but it needed about a yard more of fabric!!!
Photo credit: MSN
OH MY WORD! Someone fetch the smelling salts! This woman is one big breath away from a major wardrobe malfunction. Do you get the feeling that cameras were following her around all night long just to catch it. Seriously?! Did someone actually allow her out of the house looking like this? I don’t recall “half dressed” listed as an option for the Oscars. Apparently I was wrong. Brandi…we know you like attention but…we didn’t want you to take “over the top” literally. Sweetie…just get the bigger dress size next time…really.
The Premiere: Registration is Open for 2013 Integrity Toys Convention
2013 will be the 10th official convention for Integrity Toys and it looks like it will be a big one.
It is being held at the Century Plaza Hyatt Hotel in Los Angeles. Information should be up on their Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Integrity-Toys/200208326656019
or on their website http://integritytoys.com/page/events/latest_events
Am I going?? OHHHHHH YEAH!!!!!!
The Oscars Gala
With the Oscars this weekend, I couldn’t resist another award themed photo shoot. I always enjoy watching the red carpet and I am looking forward to this years festivities.
Model: Gala Gown Barbie® Doll
Gown, belt and fur: Randall Craig RTW
Earrings: Regal Solstice Anja Fashion Royalty 2011
It’s Complementary My Dear Watson
As I have stated before, I love to photograph a red headed doll in a green dress. I am partial to the redheads in my collection so I enjoy photographing them. Why then do I always seem to gravitate towards dressing them in green? Yes, I like green but there are other reasons at play here.
Most of us learn in grade school art class that there are three primary colors red, blue and yellow. All other colors come from these three primary bases. We also learn that there are complementary colors. These are colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel
In art and graphic design there are many theories about these colors and usage. In photography, it is generally accepted that the use of complementary colors helps intensify colors or makes them more active in your photo. I am simplifying it I know and if you really want to do the research, there are ample reams of info on the internet. My point is, using these complementary colors can help give that extra pop in some of your photos.
Red/Green
Blue/Orange(yellow)
Gala Dior
I almost always love a redhead in a green dress. Most people do and there are aesthetic and photography reasons for this…see upcoming blog post this next week. I recently took receipt of the most exquisite green dress from my dear friend Hilda of Bellissima Couture. She patterned it off of a Dior gown from the 1950’s as seen here in this iconic 1957 Life magazine photo
(Photo credit: Loomis Dean – 1957 LIFE)
I had to find the perfect model for it and who better than my muse o’ the moment…Gala Gown.
Model: Gala Gown Barbie® Doll
Gown and hat: Bellissima Couture
Necklace and gloves: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Barbie News from 2013 Toy Fair!!
The American International Toy fair kicked off in New York on Sunday and we have some pictures. It looks like Mattel will be giving us…drum roll please….Audrey Hepburn! None of these have been confirmed by Mattel as of yet but if they are showing up at Toy Fair ( even as paper dolls LOL!), they are being produced.
** Photo by Michael Williams/MyLifeInPlastic.com. These photos are protected under copyright and being used on ITFDS with permission from Michael Williams. Any unauthorized reproduction of these photos is a violation of copyright** –That means don’t copy these photos people
You can find additional photos from Toy Fair and more of Michael’s amazing work at
First up is Barbie as Sabrina
Wow!!! I can’t wait to see the face in real life! The picture of her looks good though. She doesn’t look like she is Silkstone but I could be wrong. I have no idea what the price point is or when she is coming out. Some dealer sites have descriptions up and are saying summer. Will know more when Mattel actually announces these.
Audrey in Roman Holiday
How adorable!!! All she needs is the Vespa ( and articulation to sit on it LOL!). I am dying to see the shoes on this one. No doubt here folks…she is vinyl. That means the price point should be reasonable.
New Barbie Look dolls for 2013
And it looks like Barbie is going skiing next year too with “Winter Weekend”
How cute is this??!! It even has a ski pass attached to the zipper. Bill Greening…you rock!!!
Holy Hand Grenades Batman!!
Yes, I am mixing a bit of Monty Python in there. Mattel comes through with another set of upcoming dolls from NY Toy Fair.
Ahhhhhhhhhh! How cute are these??!!!
** photos are courtesy of Mattel, Inc.**
Batman™ Ken® Doll
Retail: $34.95
Available: 6/7/2013
OH MY WORD!
Catwoman Barbie® Doll
Retail: $34.95
Available: 6/7/2013
Ummmm….LOOOOOOOVE!!!! 
Barbie is off to see the Wizard…AGAIN.
It is Toy Fair time and Mattel is starting to release the remaining photos of its 2013 lineup. I love the Wizard of OZ. It is a favorite movie of my youth…even though the tornado scene scared the crap out of me and the flying monkeys gave me nightmares for months. I still remember that LOL! Anywhoo…I like the movie. I liked the first set of WOZ dolls Mattel did…and the second…and maybe even the third….but come on. This is like the bizilliionth edition of WOZ dolls. At this rate Mattel is putting out a yearly edition.
Even though I feel this theme has been way overdone, I can still appreciate the new face sculpts on this yearly edition. They are markedly better than any previous offering in my opinion. Linda Kyaw is heading up this effort and she has really done a fantastic job.
**pictures are courtesy of Mattel, Inc.**
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
The Wizard of Oz™ Glinda The Good Witch
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
The Wizard of Oz™ Wicked Witch of the West
Retail: $34.95
Available: 5/24/13
Now…if this witch came with a flying monkey…I might consider it 
Barbie’s Malibu Dream House up for sale!
Say it aint so!! Is Barbie in financial difficulty?! According to Mattel, Barbie sales declined 4% in the 4th quarter marking the third strait quarterly decline in 2012 (source). Mattel has announced that there will be a new Barbie abode for 2013. Now…why am I spouting financials on this otherwise fun and oft times irreverent doll blog? Because I want to talk about the listing. YES! In a fresh PR move by Mattel, there is an honest to goodness listing for Barbie’s Malibu Dream House.
** Photo is courtesy of Mattel**
** Listing is courtesy of Trulia, **
Let’s take a look shall we:
1) $25 Million! Wow! Well…it is Malibu and it is beach front. That three wall thing could be a problem though.
2) I don’t know about you guys but…for that price, I would need more than one bedroom and 1 bath.
3) 8,500 sqft. Is that in Hobbit alter dimensional measurement? How come it only takes up three feet in my play room?
4) Diamond encrusted accents?! Okay…that explains the $25 million price tag.
5) Barbie signature silo head???? I thought I had heard every Barbie related term…apparently not. What is it?
6) Sorry…I love pink but…the pink granite countertops would be a deal breaker for me.
I have to give it to Mattel. This one is just plain fun! 
Barbie Fan Club 2013 Renewal Registration Opens….
Today at 9:00AM PST for current members. Registration for new members opens one week on later 2/13.
Here are some of the Fantastic things in store for members this year.
- The opportunity to purchase four (4) Club-exclusive dolls, as announced** (doll purchase is NOT a requirement of membership)
- Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
- A surprise gift with your membership, Quarterly “Designer Videos” with the creators of Barbie® Collector dolls, sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie™ Bulletin Board
Important dates to remember
- Club Renewal Starts 2/6
- New Club Spots Open 2/13
- Card and Welcome Letter Ships Starting 3/15
- Membership Gift with Purchase Silkstone® Dress Form Ships Starting 7/12
** Photos are courtesy of Mattel, Inc.**
And the 2013 Barbie Fan Club doll is…..
Boater Ensemble.
ADORE!!! The little Chanel hat on her is to die for!
Three remaining club exclusives are
Squeeeeeealllll! I wonder if this is a Silkstone Ken??!! No clarification on this yet.
And gift with purchase of membership is another mannequin but this one is black. The verbiage on the Barbie Collector website stipulates the dress form won’t start shipping until 7/12. Wellll….that’s a bit of a wait. They will serve no noir dress form until its time apparently. Ah well, it will give all of us diorama enthusiasts a chance to build that perfect shop window scene to showcase this baby.
For more information and a link to renew your BFC membership, click below
Getting Ready for the Oscars
When I was doing multiple posts on award show fashions, I was thinking wouldn’t it be fun to do a photo of Barbie getting ready for the Oscars. I needed an appropriate background and Mattel provided that with their amazing new Barbie Look Wardrobe. It also needed a bigger than life dress because it is…after all…the Oscars. Who better than Jason Wu and his talented team at Integrity Toys could do that?! Finally, I needed the prefect model for the dress and I wanted someone who is not seen that often. Since I am a deboxer, I have the luxury of redressing a rare or low production number doll. For this photo shoot, I decided to use Pinch of Platinum. She is a platinum edition doll which means there are no more than 999 of her in the world. I also felt , given the pain and aggravation of her entry into my collection https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2011/05/25/pinch-of-platinum-how-about-a-bucket-of-valium/ , she deserved her moment to shine. No valium necessary with this one .
Model, earings, shoes: Pinch of Platinum Barbie
Bracelet: Showgirl Silkstone Barbie
Gown: Dark Romance Giselle NuFace Fashion Royalty
Set: Barbie Look Wardrobe, Horsman pink chair and scroll side table, Jonathan Adler side table, Randall Craig zebra rug and too many little items to name individually. If you have questions on any item, just ask .
Stylist: ITFDS
How about this fabulous closet and it’s potential! When it comes to diorama pieces folks…it doesn’t get any better than this. My only complaint is the price. It is pricey ( $70!!). I purchased this one on sale and received $20 off. That definitely made it more palatable. It comes with three interchangeable backgrounds ( I love the black and white one!) and you could make your own too I suppose if you had big enough paper. Oh, and drawers open and it comes with a bunch of hangers. Someone mentioned on the doll boards that it would be great if Mattel could offer an extra set of hangers on their website. Excellent notion!
And… because Rebecca loves her macro lens…a few more shots of the doll and her accessories. Love those shoes! If you click them together three times and say “There is no place like Mattel” do you think you could be transported there?
Music from the shoot…..
Moving on….
Are we ready to leave the drama of the last post behind? Yes, I think so! The month of January has absolutely flown by and I realized I had not taken a single studio shot during the entire month. Bad me! I have had an idea floating around for the past month to showcase a doll that doesn’t get seen that much and a new product that people are very excited about. Here is the teaser photo…more photos coming soon 
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 