Articulated Silkstone Now Available to Order
But she won’t be shipping until March 1st folks. If you want her sooner, look to the dealers, they appear to be getting them first. I like this idea of giving the dealers first dibs on shipment. It makes sense to me and it helps support those dealers that have been loyally selling Mattel’s collector products for all these years. I called my trusty dealer Barb of Windy City Dolls the moment I saw these ladies showing up on Ebay ( not happy that this is where the first ones showed up but not surprised either). She sent one over as soon as they arrived at her shop.
Classic Black Dress Barbie® Doll
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/1/2016…hmmm…this is what the site says but they also clearly state that shipping won’t start until 3/1/2016.
Retail: $40.00 at The Barbie Collection
So…what do I think? I think the face on this first Silkstone of 2016 is a winner. It is one of the best facial screenings I have seen in a while from the BFMC. Very soft, and pretty. The black dress is basic. The material is nice and of a good weight…but basic. The boots are…basic. They are plastic people and almost impossible to get off unless you use the hot water trick **see below. No jewelry, purse with this one nor undergarments..yep that’s right…Barbie is going full commando.
The bigger question I think is what do I think of the body of this doll. First and foremost, the dimensions are NOT the same as previous BFMC Silkstone bodies. The bust is most definitely smaller. Clothing does not fit exactly the same which surprises me as I believe Mr. Best said that the body was going to be the same proportions in the video announcing the articulated bodies. I am not saying the body is bad…just different dimensions and for us redressers, that will be an issue. The material feels weighty and solid which is nice and the joints appear to be solid and stay where you position them. It is basically ok…but not great. Here is why: 1) The articulation on the joints is minimal except for the legs. This girl can do the splits if she wants but she cant rotate her hand enough to fully bend it one way or the other…it only goes a little bit one way or the other. She can just barely put her hands on her hips. Compare the functionality with Integrity Toys dolls and you will find that IT bodies are loads ahead as far as flexibility. The new Silkstone body can however, do the splits whereas IT dolls cannot. Not sure how that is something I will utilize unless I get the letch to do Gymnast Barbie, or Pole Dancing Barbie or perhaps contortionist Barbie. You never know…it could happen. I am hopeful that the next iterations of this body will beef up the bust size and include some additional rotation in the joints. My other big concern with these new bodies are the rough edges and seams that show. The knee joint on the one I received had a big ugly rough edge at the seam right above the knew joint. Some may argue that you will hardly ever see that…maybe but in the dress she came in, it was VERY evident. It’s not worthy of sending back, it’s just sloppy work on the part of the factory. Am I expected now to file down the seams of Silkstone dolls that I receive?
On the very positive side however, the doll is only $40. That is an extremely low price point for a Silkstone Barbie doll. So…messy seams and all, this doll photographs beautifully. I admit, I had to pin the gown on her so it fit more securing up top. It was made to be worn by the older body. She does look good though and I guess each collector will have to decide for themselves if she is a good fit for their collection. I am keeping mine for the present and still hopeful for the year ahead for the BFMC. I think it will be a very much paired down year but time will just have to tell on that one.
Beatuiful dress was made by Hilda of Bellissima Couture.
Oh..and as an added not to my loyal readers…After filing multiple DCMA claims with various accounts on Pinterest and Instagram all of which were cutting the watermark off my photos and passing them off as their own, I will have to start putting even larger and more intrusive watermarks on my photos. Not my choice people but there you have it. Sometimes…I just don’t understand some people.
**Hot Water Boot Trick** To help get those pesky black boots off, I heated up a cup of water to almost boiling then stuck the legs and boots in for about 30-35 seconds. Using a towel because they will be hot, boots should slid right off. If not, put the legs with boots back in the water for a bit more.
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
She is really sweet, but I wish they had just kept the torso from the “classic” Silkstone, used the articulated arm withbit and just articulated the knee (with the more traditional back and forth hip joint). I think it’s a pretty body but I feel like it should be a secondary line with another head sculpt (TnT? Lara?) as a younger line with the more traditional BFMC using the nostalgic head and traditional body and design sense… But I applaude Mattel for listening to collectors and responding to their wants 🙂
February 2, 2016 at 8:55 pm
Sing it brother!!! This body looks like a Francie body not a Silkstone body. Yes, we have some articulation now which is movement in the right direction. Will they take it further is the question. Will you still use the old body for your designs?
February 2, 2016 at 9:38 pm
Yeah…I might get one to play with, but for my designs the classic Silkstone body is really what I prefer…. It’s more in keeping with my aesthetic and the time period I’m inspired by. 🙂
February 2, 2016 at 11:37 pm
Thank you for your honest review. Your redress pictures are glorious. I have been thinning out my Silkstone collection. I decided I will not be buying any of the new line but after seeing these pics I’m very tempted.
February 2, 2016 at 9:05 pm
I am very glad you liked the photos Sandra! I think many collectors are feeling the pull of other doll lines after this last year at Mattel and BFC. 😉
February 2, 2016 at 9:36 pm
Thanks for the review. I went ahead and bought her. With my reward and shipping she was only $25, which I think is the lowest I have ever spent on a silkie. I hate when people steal photos. Its like take your own.
February 2, 2016 at 9:21 pm
I hate when people steal photos…I hate it more when they steal MY photos LOL! Yes, you can’t beat $25 for a silkie.
February 2, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Another body update, besides articulation. Sad. I didn’t join the BFC this year so I’ll be enjoying your pictures a whole lot more. Thanks for sharing.
February 2, 2016 at 9:31 pm
What?!! No BFC for Bev? I hear you my friend…I hear you. Went back and forth on it myself this year. Will be happy to share photos through the year. 😉
February 2, 2016 at 9:34 pm
The elbows are killing me. I hope Mattel modifies it immediately. How come the basic Fashionistas have streamlined elbows and these girls don’t?
February 2, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Exactly!!! The first thing I noticed on this body were the elbows. Thanks for stating this.
February 2, 2016 at 9:33 pm
I don’t know about your doll Rebecca, but my doll cannot sit at all. I have not really read all the reviews out there, but I cannot get her to sit without feeling like I might break her legs!! They might bend enough but I am afraid I’ll break them — have you tried yet??
February 2, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Hey Barb, I am able to make her sit. The knees are fairly stiff though. It is hard when we already have IT dolls that bend so easily. With these new silkies…you don’t want to try and bend them when you feel resistance. Wouldn’t it just be the kicker of all kickers if these dolls could not actually sit in the chairs we are being given as gifts from the club. Hilarious!!
February 2, 2016 at 9:42 pm
Hi Rebecca, For some reason, I am unable to see your photos!! 😦
Debi Drlik debi@drlik.net
February 2, 2016 at 9:47 pm
:-(. Have no idea why not Debi. Can you not see any photos at all in the post?
February 2, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Lovely pictures, Rebecca 💞💞
I’m so glad that this girl’s articulated body is better than other critic’s opinion of it, in your assessment. Looking forward to learning to play with this new girl’s body !! XX
February 2, 2016 at 10:20 pm
Thank you so much for another review on this doll. I did order one, flaws and all. I used my discount so that made up my mind lol I am still hopeful that the feedback that Mattel is getting will not go on deaf ears. As far as the dolls being basic, my intuition tells me that maybe this will be a year of fashions sets to go with a line of basic dolls…? That would be fun…and wouldn’t it be nice if we could have some Silky furniture again to go with our newly poseable bodies..ok one can dream, right? 🙂
February 3, 2016 at 5:26 am
Ditto, Corijo. All of it!
February 3, 2016 at 6:04 am
Everthing about this new silkstone was impressive except those dislocated elbow & super none functional boots that might break your silkstone legs if you don’t do any effort by boiling water!
February 4, 2016 at 10:21 pm
I got my Classic Black Dress today!! I am so excited. The only thing I have is her knees dont bend as far as my other articulated Barbies and I am afraid to push to far and break it. 😦
February 20, 2016 at 8:12 pm
What’s with the waist joint? It looks like it should twist but other than the upper torso tilting a bit, that’s it. Knee joints a bit stiff, but let’s face it, girlfriend is moving into her late 50’s now. I’m able to position her arms and hands very nicely for dancing a jig so Happy St Patrick’s Day!
March 17, 2016 at 1:43 pm