Sneaks for 2014!
Finally Mattel ( or apparently Mattel marketing) has given us a look at upcoming dolls from 2014. A number of items were sneaked to the BFC members a couple of days ago. Here are the public images ready for our greedy collector consumption.
Designed by: Bill Greening
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $29.95
source:www.barbiecollector.com
Adorable right?!! Shug…if it’s a girl…I am sending you one of these 
The Wizard of Oz™ Fantasy Glamour Wicked Witch of the West™ Doll
Designed by: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $100.00
Direct Exclusive from Barbiecollector.com
source:www.Barbie collector.com
Wow!! I thought WOZ dolls were totally overdone…until I saw this one. Linda, I salute you. She is a beauty!
Bob Mackie® Princess Stargazer™ Barbie® Doll
Designed by: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $100.00
Directly Exclusive from Barbiecollector.com
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Ummm…..I could be diplomatic and say this doll is unique. I have to be honest though and say this doll creeps me out. No disrespect to the amazing talents of Robert Best but…I find nothing compelling about this doll. No stargazing for this collector.
Designed by: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $75.00
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Well Linda, you have given us another home run! I adore this doll. I love the gown, the facial screening and the elegant updo. She will be joining the collection for sure. Thanks to the super sleuthing of fellow blogger Rogier of Dutch Barbie World, we have the inspiration for this fashion
Zuhair Murad Spring Summer Couture 2012
source: www.wwd.com
And last but not least….we have a look at the Alta Moda theme for this years BFMC Silkstone line.
Designed by: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $50.00
source: www.barbiecollector.com
It pains me to say this but…I am not a fan. First of all, I don’t care for this particular facial screening. I think it is the big spiky bottom lashes. Secondly, the black bows have GOT to go. Are we going for the school girl look with the knee socks and hair bows? Thirdly, I am not a big fan of large floral jewelry. As a rule, I am not a big floral person period so perhaps that is what is coloring my whole dislike of this look. I have to say though that the $50 price tag is very reasonable for a dressed Silkstone. Thanks again to our super fashion sleuth Rogier, we perhaps have a look into the inspiration for this look.
Dolce and Gabbana 2012 Fall RTW
source: www.Style.com
BFC members were also given a sneak of the second Silkstone in the 2014 lineup but those photos are not yet public. The look however is taken almost directly from this same D&G fashion show above. I confess, when Robert Best announced that the 2014 Silkstone theme was going to be Alta Moda, my mind went to the beautiful couture of Eliza Schiaparelli or vintage Valentino so I was eagerly anticipating something like these
I am thinking….we are not going to see that. {Rebecca heaves a big sign of sadness}. I seriously would die if that pink striped number were produced.
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
Hi Rebecca,
When was this email from Barbie collector sent? I only received the general email today but not the previous. I’m BFC member.
I guess it went on my spam email, so I would like to look for it.
Thanks,
Natalie
February 13, 2014 at 5:06 pm
I ordered the WW and Murad, love them both but I’m holding off on the silky. Very unlike me as well but I’m just not feeling her. I’ll get her eventually though.
I also must confess to having ordered crazytown. She’s my indulgenttakeagamblesobadshesgood doll. She’s just so completely out there that I think she might be worth having for that alone! We will see. If buying a crazy doll is the worst thing that happens then I think I’ll survive. lol
February 13, 2014 at 10:35 pm
The pink gown is Amazing!! I would also love some really interesting hats (bows are for little girls, not a couture look)…It is my birthday and I wanted to get myself a little something…but the site is down…oh well…anyway, i was so glad to see this blog…it is refreshing to see an opinion that has not been “closed” or moved….
February 13, 2014 at 11:58 pm
Ugh, so sad about the Silkstones. That china doll screening has got to go. I do not buy silkies with that baby doll face. Sorry, but Star Gazer looks like one of those crazy dolls from the 80s that you could shoot up into the air…can’t remember what they were called, but she is not my thing at all. So very, very sad.
February 14, 2014 at 2:17 pm
Skydancers? I think that’s what those were.
Totally not feeling anything in this release. What a disappointment. Although I guess you could use that Star Gazer doll as a Capitol citizen in a hunger Games setting?
February 15, 2014 at 2:39 pm
The Murad Barbie is elegant. I agree with you – the gown, face screening and updo are beautifully done. She may be the one Barbie I add to my collection this year. I am also not feeling any of the Silkstone’s. That pink striped gown would be amazing!! Alas I have not been a fan of the recent D&G collections, so that inspiration makes it a pass for me as well.
February 15, 2014 at 3:24 pm
I am very disappointed with the Zuhair Murad doll. For a gold label doll with a quality of craftsmanship in a black label doll. I’ll wait for an actual doll before I get one.
Completely unacceptable Mattel. She’s not swell. 😦
February 16, 2014 at 6:42 am
Hi Rebecca, I would like not only your comment, but that of your readers comments as well, on this question please….I am a Metal Mesh Doll Costume Designer and have been since I was 13 (now 27) and have created many designs for Barbie, Ken, Kelly, Gene, G.I. Joe dolls and now I am venturing out into creating fashions for Fashion Royalty Dolls. Here is my question, I will have Fashion Royalty Dolls at the FR Convention coming in October this year, 2014 and would like to know WHAT types of designs/fashions do you want to see on these gorgeous dolls? I really want to do them justice and my goal is to make sure that when they are seen, they will NOT disappoint. I humbly thank you and your readers in advance and wish you many blessings, JD of Dolls by Diamond
March 23, 2014 at 3:34 pm
So sorry, it appears that when I typed in my website from the first post about in regards to the Fashion Royalty question, it did not show it correctly, sorry about that, JD
March 24, 2014 at 8:06 am
Hi Joshua,
I always think it is best to go with what you like designing and making. One of the wonderful things about Fashion Royalty collectors is the broad range of interests and fashion preferences. I am sure that whatever you make will find a market at IT convention. Good Luck!
April 2, 2014 at 8:11 pm
I appreciate the advice, this is an area that is very unfamiliar to me but I am so up for the challenge. Thank you!
April 7, 2014 at 9:43 am