Tropicalia–Day 1.03
Dinner was a festive affair with a really good meal and a whole table full of fun people. Can’t ask for any better than that…well maybe a doll or two….and we had that too. The fun mood was set by colorful décor as we entered the ballroom.
The centerpiece doll was “Force of Nature” Agnes…which I won the right to purchase. Yipeee!
We also received a fabulous Anja doll, Jem earbuds and two 1/6 Tropicalia deck chairs as gifts.
Which brings the total accumulation for the day to…
I’m thinking I need a bigger suitcase 
Tropicalia–Day 1.02
So…after my morning cup of Joe…it was off to the races. I went in search of registration and the place to pick up my workshop dolls. I signed up for two classes.
Here is what we received in our registration bags. It looks like we may be getting another giftset this year!!! The accessories are GORGEOUS!
After Registration, it was time to get in line and wait for the sales room to open.
Many choose to view this 4-5 hour wait ( some people were reportedly in line since 4AM!! ) as a time to socialize and visit with friends. There is a general party like atmosphere and today the time went incredibly fast for me because I was able to spend time with some of my favorite people like…
OOAK artist Matt Sutton and Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Some people are very productive with their time in line and they work on table gifts and fill out raffle tickets
But not me….I just talked….the entire time LOL! Oh and took and uploaded photos to my flickr account. While we were waiting, Integrity Toys put the convention collection on display
Haute Société Véronique Perrin Dressed Doll
Main Event Adèle Makéda Dressed Doll
Peak Season Kyori Sato Dressed Doll
Sweet Victory Natalia Fatale Dressed Doll
Hot Dots Poppy Parker Dressed Doll
Lady in Red Erin S. Dressed Doll
All in White Now Collette D. Dressed Doll
Infallible Dasha FR: Squared Dressed Doll
More closeups are on my flickr.
In our registration packets, we had a coupon for one “Place Vendome” Victoire Roux. Hooray!! When I saw her…my jaw dropped. I couldn’t buy this lady fast enough!
And the running total so far is….
And we have not even gone to the first dinner event yet. More later on that.
Tropicalia–Day 1
After a day of uneventful travel ( the best kind ), I arrived in Florida just in time to have a few drinks and dinner with friends. The hotel is gorgeous and HUGE. It will take me a while to figure out the layout but that is definitely on the plan for today. I’m up and ready to see the fabulous convention collection that Integrity has for us in their sales room. That will entail a couple of hours waiting in line while we wait for the room to open but most people are not upset at all about waiting…it is a big social time. Will have a blog post up later today with the goings on but feel free to check out my flickr for photos of what is happening throughout the day.
Command central for the convention:
And a look at what the day will look like…Thanks to my better half for writing a special phone app so I can have my schedule on my phone (LUV it and you!) Yes, I am a complete clutz and drop my phone OBVIOUSLY. I am waiting for the new windows phone to come out later this year to replace it.
See you all later with more to report from 2012 Fashion Royalty Convention “ Tropicalia”
Tropicalia!!
Tomorrow, or today depending on where you are in the world, I am flying to the Fashion Royalty extravaganza that is convention. This year’s theme is Tropicalia and if you want a really good explanation of what that means and perhaps the inspiration for this year’s convention go to Shuga Shug’s blog. She has the most fantastic write-up on “Tropicalia” http://www.shugashug.com/2012/09/25/tropicalia/
I am taking my trusty point and shoot and hope to be able to upload photos quickly with my cool eyefi/IPad set up. I hope to be blogging every night just like last year but cut me a little slack if I don’t. A girl has to sleep too. Be sure to follow my flickr for photos as I go through the day. You can find my flickr by clicking on the photo to the right. It should take you right there.
Wish me luck as I wind my way through security in a few hours. 
The Lure of Bellissima Couture
I am headed to Florida in a couple of days for the Fashion Royalty convention and my thoughts have turned to what I am hoping to find at convention. I am always on the lookout for OOAK clothing for the girls so Hilda of Bellissima Couture’s room will be a definite first stop for me. It helps that she is one of my dearest doll friends so it’s not just the clothes but her fabulous self that is the draw for me. I snagged a couple of her creations at Barbie convention and her last online show and wanted to share them here. Her fashions evoke the feel of 1950’s couture so I was inspired to have my monogram trio Envied, Passionate and Bemused model her work. Hope you enjoy!
Models: Fashion Royalty Monogram. (from left to right) Bemused, Passionate and Envied
Clothing: Bellissima Couture ( http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/ )
Jewelry: Mattel
Flower hat: scrapbooking elements
Fur: Fashion Royalty Starry Night fashion
Kissing Chair: Pure Dreams for dolls on ebay (http://stores.ebay.com/PureDreamForDolls/Barbie-Furniture-/_i.html?_fsub=2237637017&_sid=480609367&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322)
New Silkstone Info for 2013
There was a designer chat over at the Barbie Fan Club yesterday and here is what we learned about our beloved Silkies …
1. New Silkstone sneak. I can’t publish the photos because it was designated for BFC members only but once it’s been released to retailers, I can share it. If you are a member, run on over to the BFC and check it out under “Sneak Peaks” in the forum. She is a lovely redhead wearing a spring floral pink print day suit ( dress and coat) and ….a pink turban hat. Yes, I called it from the video. ( Wow!! can you hear Rebecca tooting her own horn there?!…shameless!). She has a beautiful face with blue or green eyes and rose pink lips. Her name at this point is “Luncheon Ensemble” Barbie. She should be available early 2013.
2. The “Luncheon Ensemble” Barbie will not be the club doll.
3. There will be more AA dolls in the BFMC lineup next year. That’s dolls with an “s” so hopefully more than one. Yipeee!! This is definitely an underrepresented skin tone in this line.
4. Robert Best confirmed again that the Atelier theme will continue into 2013 and that there will be day looks, evening gowns and…wait for it….maybe a tuxedo. Quoi!? Does he mean a tuxedo for Barbie or a BFMC Ken??!! Have absolutely no idea as it was not clarified. Let the speculations begin.
5. Drum roll please……There is a platinum Silkstone planned for 2013. Should we all put aside that big bucket of valium now? I can only imagine the nightmare server error mess that will ensue on the day this baby becomes available. I may have to enter the quagmire for this one folks. We have not had a platinum Silkie since FAO’s pink Soiree right? … If you don’t count the Golden Gala Silkies given at 2009 BarbieCon. How do I feel about the idea of a platinum Silkie???
I may look on with prim disapproval…but the reality of it is…I will be down in the mud with all the rest of the collectors fighting over the limited number like it was a Kmart blue light special. Yes, my name is Rebecca and I am addicted to Silkstone Barbies.
The Birth and Upkeep of a Diorama…..
I love to build dioramas. I don’t seem to make much time to do it though. Most of my inspiration goes in fits and spurts. Once I start a project, I tend to finish it but it’s the getting it started that is my main hurdle. When Robert Best did “Shop girl” I knew I needed to do a shop for her. After thinking about it for a while and doing some research, I finally had an idea in my head and put a plan into action. When shop girl arrived, a new home was ready for her. Belles Choses, as it came to be known as, had it’s grand opening.
I was so happy with how it turned out that I decided to move it to a larger venue so the vintage fashion shop was packed up and “Belles Choses” moved in to the newer and bigger space.
When I originally did the back wall of the diorama, I used a beautiful soft blue paper and used spray adhesive to fix it to foam core to give it a nice smooth finish – like wallpaper. What I did not take into account was that this type of adhesive will lose it’s hold over time. So..fast forward a year later…and you have this
The heavy picture frame I was using for the inset display case was pulling the paper away from the backing and I was seeing these big voids…like the one above this frame. YIKES! I knew if I left it as is, the frame would eventually pull away and fall taking the paper with it…not good. So, I went about trying to come up with a fix.
First, the space had to be vacated……so sad and lonely in there.
The displaced horde….LOTS of little pieces in this diorama….good excuse to dust everything
Let the repairs begin! I decided to swab behind the paper gaps with adhesive and see how it went. It’s not as smooth as the spray adhesive but…it may do. I shored up the heavy plaster frame with an equally heavy candlestick while it dried.
et voilà!
What did I learn? If you are using spray adhesive, you may also want to swab with some additional adhesive in key support points. I will be doing that from here on out. A big “Thank You” to all who commented on flickr and emotionally supported me through this weekend while I fixed it. It always helps if you know someone is pulling for you
Evening Gown and a Matisse….Take Two
Nobody expects to win the lottery twice but amazingly enough some people have. I was lucky enough to be able to add another pink Matisse to my collection a few weeks back and it is fabulous! I knew that Ms. Evening Gown was going to look stellar in it so had to wait for her to arrive to photograph. On a side note, if you ever want to spend some time looking at the most exquisite Barbie fashions, take a moment to look at the collection of sold items on Brenda’s ( Matisse) Etsy site. http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions/sold?ref=shopinfo_sales_leftnav
DROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL 
Model: Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie
Dress, wrap and hat: Matisse ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions )
Gloves: Dressmaker Details
Jewelry, shoes and clutch purse: Mattel
Diorama: See previous blog post https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/09/07/evening-gown-and-a-matisse/
Yuletide Yummies Barbie
If you are a member of the BFC ( Barbie Fan Club) and a fan of the Holiday Hostess Barbie series Bill Greening has been giving us over the past year, tomorrow is a day you should have marked on your calendar. The next installment for this series will be available tomorrow and the fun begins at 9:00AM PT. As this is not a platinum edition….I don’t expect to need my valium. 
She will set you back $75.00 and I suspect this one will sell out quickly so if you want her, get her soon. Christmas is my all time favorite holiday so I plan to be online at 9AM PT with bells on for this one.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc.**
How cute are these accessories I ask you??!!! It’s almost worth it for the Santa mugs alone! Here is a shot I took of her at Barbiecon. Hair on this one at Barbiecon looks like its been messed with quite a bit. I am kind of liking the promo shot better than the one we saw at Barbiecon although…the IRL photo makes her look softer. LOVE the cat eye eyeliner and holiday red lips on this one.
Evening Gown and a Matisse
For those of us in the 1/6 OOAK clothing arena, scoring a Matisse can be a bit like winning the Lotto. She sells on her Etsy site( info below) and if you happen to be at the right place at the right time ( i.e. online when one of her notices hits your inbox that she has something new on her Etsy site), you may be lucky enough to get one. Her work is truly beautiful. The attention to detail is superb and the accessories never disappoint. I only have a few of her pieces and I treasure each and every one. I even managed to snag not one but two pink little works of art by her and I was waiting for Ms. Evening Gown to make her way here to model them. Now that I have shown you Evening Gown in her original Robert Best couture, I hope you will enjoy her in one of Matisse’s pink confections.
Model: Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie
Dress and veil: Mattise Fashions ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions)
Wall Panel and gold urn with flowers: Made by me
Pink and White 1/6 Kissing Chair: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Scale-Lover-Chair-For-Fashion-royalty-barbie-Momok-BJD-1-6-Scale-dolls-/320977023146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abbb8b0aa
Envied, Bemused and Passionate…A Second Look
I was moving the displays around in the cases the other day and decided these guys needed a second look. I had these ladies displayed on this couch just as I have them posed for a while but it is time to move them out and display some different dolls. I know that most people ordered these gals for their cute little dresses but I actually really like the dolls. I know that Barb at Windy City Dolls still has a few on sale http://www.windycitydolls.com/frmonogram.htm#Sale
Models: Fashion Royalty Monogram “Envied”, “Bemused” and “ Passionate”
Couch: Horseman Urban Environment ( meant for 16” dolls so scale is slightly off for this shot)
Birdcages: Found at favorite flea market. I think they were holiday ornaments.
Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie®
I have been busy the past few days populating my Pinterest “Inside The Fashion Doll Studio” board with photos from the archives and I realized…I don’t usually photograph my dolls in what they came dressed in originally. I guess I always figured Mattel and Integrity photographers do such a beautiful job with their promo photos that I didn’t need to redo it. That whole philosophy changed this year with Robert Best’s Atelier Silkstone collection. I believe I have photographed each one this year in the outfit she came in…then went on to redress. I guess you could say I am just thrilled with the Silkie offerings this year. Evening Gown is the next one to land in front of my camera. Designed by Robert Best, she became available to collectors on 06/14/12. You can find her at your local dealer or at www.barbiecollector.com
First Look at Barbie for 2013
Photos are starting to show up on retail sites so I believe it’s okay to share them here. Mattel shared some preview photos of dolls coming up in 2013. If you like Dolls of the World, you will perhaps be happy with the offerings. I don’t know about you guys but….I am getting a little tired of France and Spain coming out again and again. I can’t deny they are cute but it shows up so often it’s making me feel like Mattel is brokering some kind of trade deal with these countries. I mean no disrespect to the lovely countries of Spain and France….just want to see some different ones from Mattel and their Dolls of the World series. Based on early pricing from dealers sites, the Dolls of the World will cost around $25.00 and are due out in December of 2012.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc.**
Miss France
Miss Spain
Miss Philippines
Bill greening debuted the successor to his highly successful Barbie Basics line with The Barbie Look series:
The Barbie Look 1:
Oh my word!!! Is she wearing Missoni??!! She is a Steffie faced beauty with rooted eyelashes. Toooo cute! Priced around $30.00 and due out first quarter of 2013.
The Barbie Look 2:
Very Chic! Uses the Mbili face mold I believe. Priced around $30.00 and due out first quarter of 2013.
Since this new series is all based around “ The Look”, there had to be fashion packs as well….
The Tea Party Accessory Pack
The The Poolside Accessory Pack
The Golf Accessory Pack
The Red Carpet Accessory Pack
Each pack should retail for around $25.00. There is not date as to when these are expected but I suspect it will be the same time as the dolls. Girl has to have her clothes when she arrives right?
Poppy Parker: Gallery Girl
I am in no way advocating the show “Gallery Girls” here. I saw a little bit of it and was…well…not impressed. The name rather comes from my idea when I redressed the newly released “The Happening” Poppy Parker in Mattel’s Tim Gun separates. I dressed her in the crisp white shirt and black skirt with glasses and thought she looked like some hip art gallery dealer. The diorama just kind of filled in after that. Hope you enjoy!
Model: “The Happening” Poppy Parker
Clothing, glasses and shoes: Barbie by Tim Gunn
Randall Craig is Having a Sample Sale Today!!
“Please join us for our sample sale next Saturday, 8-25. It’s going to be hosted through our Dayzees-by-Randall-Craig eBay store:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/dayzees-by-randall-craig/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=
The schedule will be:
12:00/noon Separates– sweaters, sweater sets, skirts, pants, dresses, shoes, jewelry, and poodles.
1:00 Loose Fashions– complete or mostly complete fashions that have been deboxed.
2:00 Samples, Prototypes, Etc– various pieces of fashions and a few unproduced prototypes from the RC Home line.
3:00 Boxed Fashions– NRFB fashions that go as far back as the first fashion that we produced. There are some HTF ones in here. There are some NRFB poodles too.
Most of the items will be Buy-It-Now. The samples, prototypes, and some of the HTF items will be listed as 1 day auctions.”
The BFMC 2013 Atelier Collection: A peek into next year?
Okay…so you all know I am a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to Silkstone Barbies right? I was so excited when I learned that Robert Best was continuing the design aesthetics of the 1950’s and early 60’s for his 2013 BFMC collection. This was the “heyday” of the haute couture design houses and for many epitomized glamour. I absolutely adore that time in fashion so it stands to reason I am anxious to hear about and see sneaks with what we can expect next year. As I stated in my previous post, I believe we received a very solid sneak of one doll. It would appear that she will be blond, possibly platinum blond, with a back ponytail hairstyle. I can’t tell if she has bangs or not. To me, it kind of looks like “Movie Mixer” with black bows but I could be completely off on that one so don’t hold me to it. It would also appear that she has a cream boat necked cocktail gown with black tulle overlay and accent lace at the bottom. There is black bow detail at the bust and waist. It also looks like she is wearing white gloves.There was a most deliberate shot in the video of him working on this sketch and dipping his brush in water and releasing a light blue paint. There has to be some blue in this lady somewhere I am thinking ( blue bows?? blue accent somewhere). It looks like she will have bows on her black shoes as well…how cute!. Now….before I get going full force on my speculation train here folks…please realize these are all guesses. I have no information from Mattel save the video that we all can see so …take everything I say with a grain of salt. Disclaimer ended. We do know however, that Mr. Best’s designs for next year with have a flavor of Spring. He shared that at convention. So I am thinking lighter colors and softer fabrics.
** pictures are from video from Mattel therefore owned by Mattel. Please don’t copy or reproduce**
The other shot from the video that was intriguing me yesterday is this one…yes, I know it’s blurry but it was the best I could do.
There was another scene right before this one that showed him removing a piece of fabric from a sketch of a doll in a dark colored ( blue maybe?) suit with hat. The sketch said specifically Atelier part II so I am thinking we may see another day suit with a hat. Yippee!! I will never be upset about more suits with hats. It also looks like there is a sketch with a redhead in a soft palette suit with pink/peachy turban style hat. Oh My Word!! My hat fetish just started doing the rhumba. There is also a sketch to the left there of what appears to be an evening gown with feathered type headpiece…kind of Gloria Swansonish. Again, I have no idea if any of these sketches will be produced but they are far enough along to have detail sketches and fabric swatches. I smell….production.
It’s time for another Barbie Brouhaha
brou·ha·ha
noun
\ˈbrü-ˌhä-ˌhä, ˌbrü-ˌhä-ˈhä, brü-ˈhä-ˌhä\
Definition of BROUHAHA
: hubbub, uproar
**from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brouhaha**
Yes, I know my Midwestern roots are showing. When I was growing up, this was a term used whenever someone was causing an unnecessary fuss and it would appear a “fuss” is being kicked up over the new Blond’s Blond Diamond Barbie I blogged about a few weeks ago ( see https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/08/03/the-blonds-blond-diamond-barbie/). Apparently the Daily Mail in the UK is taking exception to the new Barbie and labeling her “Drag Queen Barbie” ( see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2189428/Introducing-drag-queen-Barbie-Mattel-models-latest-doll-cross-dressing-designer-fashion-label-The-Blonds.html). The article seems to be aiming its ire at the doll’s designers one of which dresses in woman’s clothing from time to time ( and looks stunning by the way). I find it interesting that a UK tabloid would take exception to this. I mean come on…here is the country that has given us some of the biggest Queens of this century….Elton John, Boy George and George Michael. I also found it funny that they seem to make the assumption that applied eyelashes means “Drag Queen”. Hate to tell you Daily Mail but most of the women in L.A. and half of NYC would heartily disagree with you. Who is writing this crap? Normally I am not bothered by this. I mean it makes the rounds on blogs as link bait and that’s about it but ABC picked it up and called her “Drag Queen Barbie” so I had to make a comment. For crying out loud ABC people! Is the Daily Mail really your trusted source for content now? Unfortunately some people give absolute credence to a news outlet and its content. Now it is becoming a Barbie Brouhaha with a possible Barbie Backlash. Some are concerned that this will cause Mattel to pull the doll. Personally, I think it will turn this doll into yet another “Barbie commodity” and this one will fly off the shelves just like Toki Doki Barbie. They say any publicity is good publicity. I guess we will see on this one but Mattel may end up thanking the Daily Mail for their backhanded product endorsement.
**Photo is property of Mattel, Inc.**
Am I buying this lovely lady? H*ll yes..every eyelash-flaunting, stiletto-wearing blond and bedazzled inch of her. Put that in your offensive little tabloid pipe and smoke it Daily Mail.
Rebecca rant over.
Isn’t It Romantic Poppy Parker as Sabrina…Take 2
So I just couldn’t leave this one alone. While I was photographing the original set, I was inspired by another photo and had to do that one too…
Inspiration photo
And what I came up with….
I need to go watch Sabrina now. It feels like its required at this point LOL!
Fun for the Francie Collector
If you are a Francie collector and a Silkstone collector, today was your day. The Barbie Fan Club opened orders for the much anticipated Fuchsia N’ Fur BFC exclusive Francie Silkstone .
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc. **
There are only 4,000 of this lovely lady so if you are BFC member, check her out here http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/fuchsia-n-fur-francie-doll-w3517
She retails for $74.95
Photo I snapped of her at Barbiecon. She is really cute in person.
Another offering for those Francie collectors in our midst is Kitty Corner Francie. She is also Silkstone and the IRL ( In Real Life) photos that are surfacing of this lady show something better than the promo shots would suggest. She is really quite adorable and I think I might have to get this one too.
Photo snapped at Barbiecon….
She is not a BFC exclusive and you can find her on the Barbiecollector.com site at http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/kitty-corner-francie-doll-w3469
She retails for $85.00. Those Silkie Francies don’t come cheap now do they?!
Isn’t It Romantic:Poppy Parker as Sabrina
When I first saw these dolls unveiled at IDEX this past January, I was beside myself with anticipation. I was just itching to see the real life product and hoping that they would all be as good as their promo photos. I was not disappointed. I knew I had to pay tribute to the original black and white movie photos and here is what I came up with. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed shooting this one.
The original promo shot from the movie that inspired me….
Okay all you pinners on Pintrest….Please, Please, Please DO NOT pin photos form the photo album below unless you are willing to manually change the link to the blog instead of my skydrive. If you just pin it from the album ( yes, I realize it is way easier), it will link back to my skydrive and not my blog….Not Cool. Since I mentioned this before, people have been really good about it. If it comes up as a problem again though I will cease putting in albums completely.
“Lilac Frost” Poppy Parker
The WClub announced a new 2012 exclusive to their members last week. Her name is Lilac Frost and Integrity and David Buttry have given us another treat for the year. You have to be a WClub member to buy.
Here is the writeup from Integrity on her…
Presenting: "Lilac Frost" Poppy Parker!
There is a brisk chill this early morning in New York City. Miss Poppy Parker is on Fifth Avenue on her way to not just any Go-See. She will be seen by a room full of casting agents, ad executives, art directors and event coordinators who will decide if she will be selected from the hundreds of other models. She hopes those extra acting classes she has been taking on the weekends pay off and put her on top. If chosen, she’ll be a spokes-model of International proportion!
Miss Parker spent a week shopping for just the right look for this day. Poppy’s lovely green eyes and painted lashes are accentuated by lovely lilac and beige eye shadow. Her lips are a soft coral. She styled her lovely golden blond hair into a side parted flip. It is a chic, yet young look. The same could be said for her ensemble. Her suit is in pale lilac brocade with a warm white fur trim collar. It is topped off with a frosted raspberry flocked hat. She accessorized her look with white gloves, white heels and her favorite "leather" handbag. A lavender diamond bracelet and earrings complete this look of success. "Lilac Frost" Poppy Parker uses the "Japan" skin tone. Wish her luck
Lilac Frost
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Summer 2012 W Club Exclusive
Limited Edition: TBA
Approximate Ship Date: Late Fall/Early Winter 2012
** all photos are property of Integrity Toys. Please note that the photos are of a prototype doll and subject to changes and modifications.**
There are many of us who will be humming the Mary Tyler Moore theme while we wait for this lovely lady . 
She doesn’t have to think about it though…I think she has already made it. Thank You Mr. Buttry!!
Bellissima Couture is having an Event!
Hilda is calling it “Pretty Things” and my oh my are there many pretty things on her blog. She has very limited editions of these gorgeous creations so if you are interested RUN don’t walk to her blog….
http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/pretty-things/
**Photos are property of Bellissimacouture **
The Blonds Blond Diamond™ Barbie®
Don’t you just hate it when you refocus your collection and start to feel really good about it then BAM…something comes along that blows your entire refocus plan right out of the water. I had thought I was done with the expensive vinyl dolls. I absolutely love the fantasy creations of Linda Kyaw from Mattel but I decided that they just don’t fit in with the focus of my collection. I felt really good about the decision until some new photos started circulating. In 2010 The Blonds collaborated with Mattel to design three one of a kind Barbie dolls.
In a 2012 BFC designer chat, it was mentioned that a new designer doll would be available in 2012. The following photos were given as a sneak peak about a month ago for BFC members and today Mattel is offering her on their Barbiecollector.com website ( it is a BC exclusive!). She will be available in December of 2012 and will retail for $125.00 ( ouch!). She is a gold label and was designed by Bill Greening in a partnership with The Blonds. For those of us not familiar with The Blonds, here is a bit of background http://www.zimbio.com/Phillipe+Blond/articles/2/Designer+Month+BlondsIn
And now for the photos!
The Blonds Blond Diamond™ Barbie®
** All photos are property of Mattel **
Is she worth the hefty price tag? Time will have to tell on that one. I absolutely adore the glamour with a capitol “G” here. I am really hoping the production doll is what the promo photos promise. ***One important note to mention here folks*** It has been reported that the dress is NOT removable. For us redressers, that is definitely a downside. Word on the street is this baby may in fact sell out so factor that one in if you want her. I could be way off on that but the positive buzz on the boards about this one would indicate a big interest. Here is the link for purchasing on BC.com http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/blonds-blond-diamond-barbie-doll-w3499
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 