BFMC Blush and Gold Arrives
This morning the Barbie Collector website was updated to release images of this new addition to the Silkstone BFMC 2017 collection. Now..here is where I would say “BFC members were given a sneak peak of this one a month ago” but…I can’t say that as there is no official Barbie Fan Club as of the posting of this blog report. Let’s face the facts folks…the BFC may not be coming back. This makes me sad but I can’t pretend I and many others didn’t see the writing on the wall a long time ago. With all the troubles on their website, crazy no win treasure hunts, questionable business practices ( {cough}, camel coat, {cough}) the demise of the BFC doesn’t surprise me at all. Oh and there is also this little factoid. Mattel stock fell off a cliff a couple weeks ago due to abysmal earnings. Way worse than what was expected…never a good thing for a publically traded stock.
This is just me speculating here but..all of these bits and pieces point to bad news for the Barbie Fan Club and the future of Barbie Collector. How much longer before the current Barbie Collection website is rolled into the new Mattel website? Bye Bye collector forums.
So, with that “Debbie Downer” opener, lets talk about the latest release Mattel DID in fact give collectors today.
Blush & Gold Cocktail Dress Barbie® Doll
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 5/08/2017
Retail: $100.00 !!! yes, you saw it correctly
That is one hefty price tag for a shorter dress and basic accessories ( no jewelry folks and a plastic purse). I am also not wowed by the facial screening in these images. I do realize however that she may look a lot better IRL so there is always that hope. But..as they say….a picture tells a thousand words. Do these images sell a $100 dollar doll? Not too sure about that. I think more than anything, my question for Mattel’s Barbie Collector BFMC personnel is “ Does your lack of communication, perks for your customers(BFC), and general disorganized product roll out encourage collectors to want to buy?”
Debbie Downer out….
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
She is pretty, but not wowed, and here in Canada she is virtually impossible to purchase right out of the gate so will pass on hunting her down.
My overall impression is distracted by the black liner dipping into the corner of her eyes, maybe I am not on trend with the facial screening these days.
May 8, 2017 at 9:20 am
Yes indeed. That eyeliner is different! I also hear you about trying to get anything from BC when you live outside the US…way too difficult. 😦
May 8, 2017 at 11:26 am
Hmmm, she COULD look better in person. However, considering that the outfits at least seem to regularly look significantly less nice in person than the prototype, I think that is a more probable outcome unfortunately. That said, the pink is somehow a bit compelling…
May 8, 2017 at 9:25 am
Yes, that has been the trend Sarah…to show us a preview image that uses better fabrics than what are actually in production. Pink is always compelling though 😉
May 8, 2017 at 11:28 am
Thanks so much for keeping me and many others in the loop. At least someone is communicating! Some of your posts, like this one, are priceless and perfect. Your website is the only place I’m able to find out what is going on. I have been wondering why no one contacted me to renew my Barbie Fan Club Membership. Thanks so very much picking up the slack where Mattel fell short. Perhaps you should send them an invoice:)
May 8, 2017 at 9:26 am
LOL! I doubt my “invoice” would draw any notice at Mattel. I am happy to provide information to those who want it. Glad you are finding the blog posts useful!
May 8, 2017 at 11:29 am
So interesting Rebecca. Sorry to hear what a tailspin Mattel is experiencing !!
Nice enough doll, but certainly not a “must have” 😕
May 8, 2017 at 9:30 am
You are very welcome my dear. Yes…definitely not a “must have” 😉
May 8, 2017 at 11:29 am
The copy alongside the photos describes the doll with pearl drop earrings and matching bracelet. Those accessories don’t appear in the photos, however. And, Mattel has been careless in the past with descriptions not matching the final product. SO, are there jewelry items, or not? I guess we’ll find out when the doll is delivered.
May 8, 2017 at 10:00 am
Excellent catch William!! I admit..I did not read the description on this one. It is interesting to note that the bracelet, while listed in the wording is not listed when they list accessories LOL! Holy Inconsistency Batman! I agree with you here..you never really know what you are going to get on these. Also, why on earth release a promo shot WITHOUT accessories? I really appreciate you bringing this up!
May 8, 2017 at 10:05 am
Based on the IRL photos that were posted in the “2017 BFMC Doll – Barbie Blush & Gold Cocktail Dress” thread of the Modern Barbie section of the forum, the doll looks pretty. Her face screening looks pretty good.
Unfortunately, I am not buying her right away like when I used to buy Silkstone dolls. I recently purchased two BW Tweed Suit Silkstone dolls, and both had quality control issues. I returned both for a full refund. I am hesitant to buy these Silkstone dolls. I do miss the Classic Silkstone body. For now, I think Mattel should leave the articulation to IT and other companies. They should have left the Silkstone body as is.
I wish she came with the jewelry that is described in the description of the doll in the shop. Seems like false advertising.
I am going to hold out on buying this doll until I see what’s in-store for the Poppy Parker 2017 line by Integrity Toys.
May 8, 2017 at 11:44 am
So sorry to hear about the quality control issues with BW Tweed 😦 I am in complete agreement with you on this new articulated body from Mattel. It’s nowhere near where it needs to be to compete with what is currently on the market. I think we are all anxious to see if the advertised jewelry actually shows up with this doll. Time will tell. I also sit in wait with you as we anticipate the PP line from Integrity. 🙂
May 10, 2017 at 6:17 am
I ended up ordering one Blush & Gold Silkstone Barbie doll with the reward the BFC had given members for the delay of 2017 club. I hope she comes with no quality control issues and stays in my collection. It’s never fun to return dolls. — Mattel corrected their doll description of this doll, so now it says she only comes with a clutch. It’s too bad. The earrings and a bracelet would have been a very nice touch to this doll.
The next doll in line, Blue Chiffon Ball Gown, I can’t seem to warm up to those thick brows. I miss the face screenings from the earlier Silkstone dolls. They all pretty much had way thinner eyebrows.
May 10, 2017 at 2:45 pm
I saw in RL yesterday. She is really pretty, and so is the dress, but a bit too much glitter on the bodice. Don’t think Joni mentioned the price. SHe was shocked that she received them.
May 8, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Ahhhh! So the big question…did she have jewelry? Glad to hear that the face is pleasing at least. Yes, the roll out of this one is hit or miss. Many dealers just receive her without notice. Random shipping method at Mattel 😉
May 10, 2017 at 6:19 am
Odd. I actually like her eyeliner. Kind of makes her look a little sad, concerned or disheartened. It’s different for sure, but in a way that I really like.
Then again, I always go for the unusual.
May 8, 2017 at 1:15 pm
Yes, definitely different. You called it exactly Loreen…it makes her look sad. I guess I want happy Silkstones 🙂 As you say though, it is different and unusual and that is not necessarily a bad thing.
May 10, 2017 at 6:20 am
Meh…., price tag too high dress is not great……I’ll pass
May 8, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Calm and concise as usual Norita 😉 Thank you for your review.
May 10, 2017 at 6:21 am
It is so sad to see the decline of the BFC and the BFMC. For me one of, if not the, last great BFMC was Walking Suit: beautiful doll and fashion, gloves, a handbag, an umbrella, and a hatbox – for 75.00. That was just five years ago. I can only shake my head at the new “Silkstones” with their sub-par bodies, cheap-looking fashions, and shoddy/non-existent accessories (a molded plastic Look clutch? On a BFMC doll? Unacceptable.). As always, I appreciate your photos and commentary!
May 8, 2017 at 4:47 pm
I hear you Amy. Ahhhh…Walking Suit….now THAT was a doll. Yes, I think many of us are grieving the loss of those days. I guess we are meant to appreciate what we have currently that much more now 😉
May 10, 2017 at 6:22 am
The “new & improved” silkstones leave me cold, and this one is no exception. You know how your updo tutorial teaches how to wrap a ponytail in a piece of hair for a smooth look? Mattel doesn’t even bother to do that on their “prestige” dolls. Black & white tweed suit, and now Blush have their rubber bands out & proud for everyone to see, quelle tacky! The ginormous heads, spindly bodies, catcher’s mitt hands…have all been covered before. This year’s additions: eyebrows! OMG, the chiffon gowned “silkstone” has Joan Crawford eyebrows, but she is NO Joan. This doll’s eyebrows aren’t terrible, but how awful is it that the best I can say about my once-beloved silkies is that it’s not TOO bad? I don’t think RB is giving us his Best anymore.
May 8, 2017 at 5:41 pm
LOL! Tell us what you really think Jen. I agree with you my dear. It’s just sad and Mr Best is indeed not giving us his namesake. The eyebrows are definitely a derivation from what we have seen in the past. Perhaps it helps to make the big eyes not so… well… alien like 😉
May 10, 2017 at 6:25 am
I agree with you! This might be the end of the BFC. It is sad but in the meantime what else can we expect… it has been one big mess! This doll in particular is no appelling to me… that pink washes her out… anyways… I miss the golden era of Barbie collecting. 😦
May 8, 2017 at 7:17 pm
I am right there with you Angelica….missing those golden days of the BFMC.
May 10, 2017 at 6:26 am
I cannot believe the plastic purse. That’s a new low for the silkstone line. Clearly the company has been in a downward spiral and it’s finally reached the Collector line. It’s not like this is a surprise, but it is very sad.
May 8, 2017 at 11:25 pm
We mourn together my friend. 🙂
May 10, 2017 at 6:27 am
I received her yesterday and I really like her, especially with her hair down. And she looks great redressed. 🙂
May 16, 2017 at 10:46 am
she’s available on amazon India (where I come from) for $151…I may have to pass with shipping
June 5, 2017 at 12:07 am
Yikes! That is quite a price hike. I think I would pass too. –R
June 19, 2017 at 10:52 am
I have to agree with Debbie Downer 100%
February 1, 2019 at 2:09 pm