More Silkstone News!!
So right after I posted yesterday, Mattel posted new images of the BFC exclusive Silkstone for 2016. We have all had a gander at the sketch for many months and many of us had a chance to see the doll in person at the NBDCC 2016. Here are a few images I took of her at NBDCC
And here is the information and official pictures
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 10/12/2016
Retail: $100.00
- Body Type: Posable Silkstone®
- Facial sculpt:
- Fashion Sewn On: No
- Fashion: Pink satin gown with flowing organza train
- Accessories: Black satin opera gloves, chandelier earrings
She is a BFC exclusive which means you need to be a BFC member to purchase.
Things to take note of….The IRL doll at NBDCC was sporting pink shoes not black and the fabric on the IRL doll did not show the same kind of fabric as the promo shots are indicating. Just trying to keep it real folks and set expectations appropriately. You be the judge but to these eyes, the ruffle material on the promo shots looks like it lays very nicely, whereas the IRL doll at NBDCC did not. The beading also looks very different but there are always differences between the promo shots and the actual production doll. The difference here is that the production doll was actually seen BEFORE the promo shots so, it feels kind of humorous to me. It’s like saying “ Yeah…this is what we could have done…but….we didn’t”
All else being held equal, I’m still buying the doll. She is a platinum updo with a pink gown…of course I’m buying. Whether or not I feel very good about it is another thing. I have a hard time supporting a company who is making some really unfortunate decisions regarding their collector line. I find it hard to plug a product in this blog when I have a very real concern for the direction of this Mattel division.
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
REALLY PRETTY! Reminds me of the Silkstone 10th Anniversary doll!
October 1, 2016 at 11:56 pm
Yes, she is similar. I see that now 😉
October 2, 2016 at 8:32 am
Great to read your comment on it all. Cannot agree with you more on Mattel showing one thing in promo pics, then coming up with a ‘cheaper’ version as the real thing. I always wonder how the designers must feel……
October 2, 2016 at 1:31 am
Yes Cisca, it is very common that the promo pictures will show something better than what actually shows up. What is uncommon is to show promo photos AFTER the production doll images have been widely distributed. I am sure the designers are not happy with that. You design something to the best of your ability only to see some of the best parts of it withdrawn due to budget cuts or inability to source supplies. Good point.
October 2, 2016 at 8:35 am
Thanks for your comments, she’s still a pretty lady especially in pink, however it is quite clear that the fabric of the dress has been changed and isn’t as soft and luxurious and unfortunately the fit doesn’t look as nice either x
October 2, 2016 at 1:46 am
Yes Penny. I agree. I just want to get her in hand and out of the box and see if what I am seeing in the real life images is actually the case. I will go into this a little bit more in the comment bellow to Debbie.
October 2, 2016 at 8:36 am
I dont understand,why would someone spend that much money on a doll that they didnt ”just love”?
October 2, 2016 at 6:35 am
This is an excellent question Debbie! It’s one I keep asking myself over and over. The only answer at this time I can come up with is…Hope. This is a line I have loved for many years and have spent countless blog posts rhapsodizing over the details and qualities of the product. It’s so hard to see this product that I once loved sinking into mediocre and sometimes substandard quality. I am hoping that once I receive this one, there will be some redeeming qualities that I can hold on to…some spark of interest that will rekindle a love for this product…something. I have absolutely no assurances that this will happen…just hope. You know what I mean? Maybe I am overly sentimental and it will take me a long time to cut the cord, I have no idea but I guess I am still willing to give Robert Best and his team a chance to win my consumer dollars. It might be a really bad investment on my part. Be assured…I will report and blog on my findings. The blog post may very well start with ” I was stupid” LOL!
October 2, 2016 at 8:42 am
I think that I will probably pass on this lady…the lack of jewelry, the less than stunning dress, and the face paint.
I have not liked the face paint on the Silkstones since 2015. Prior to that they seemed more adult, sultry, elegant. Each one seemed to their own attitude, personality. But starting with the 2015 collection (Fashionably Floral) , the face paint seemed flat, juvenile. Maybe they were trying to compete with Poppy.
I have completely lost interest in them. And I’m so disappointed. I used to love Silkies.
I genuinely believe that they’re taking Robert Best’s fabulous designs and dumbing (cheaping) them down.
I would love to know your opinion.
October 2, 2016 at 7:19 am
Thanks for the comment MissC and I agree with many of your points. Please refer to comment above for some of the answers. The facial screenings have definitely been a disappointment for me as well. I have to be honest here and say Robert Best is the one driving this team and that means production as well. I feel like the responsibility for many of these issues falls at his feet. To be fair, I think Mattel is asking him to make bricks without straw and water so not sure what he CAN do. Let’s face it…Mattel is looking like it is trying to get out of the adult collector market as far as the BFMC is concerned. Sad.
October 2, 2016 at 8:45 am
Yes, very sad indeed.
October 4, 2016 at 9:23 am
Very pretty but to juvenile and prom looking for me, but I do love her platinum grey hair!
October 2, 2016 at 7:44 am
Yes my dear…the hair is good 😉 You could come up with a stunning gown worthy of emulating. I will never understand why rosettes at the waist keep making an appearance in these designs from Mattel.
October 2, 2016 at 8:47 am
Rosettes are a fav and lately i have had to replicate quite a few Dior styles, he used them alot!! I am a bling girl myself and could do the sequin thing all day long.LOL
October 2, 2016 at 10:35 am
Barbie Collector has really been disappointing me lately. I will not be buying this doll and I am not even sure that I will be renewing my membership.
October 3, 2016 at 10:33 am
U like her a lot, but I don’t like how her gown looks like it is a different material in real than in the promo pics. The material in the promo images looks soft and flows, the real one looks “stiff”. It seems made of satin instead of georgette. Also, in the promo images the color is more a coral and darker. In real it is a soft, baby pink. Kind of disappointing. I wanted her based on the promo images but not sure anymore given the real images. They have so many pink gowns and such in this shade, I really wish it was coral, just like in the images. Bust.
October 4, 2016 at 4:34 pm
I love the hair color! Beautifully designed
October 8, 2016 at 6:41 am