Cherry Pie Picnic
Bill Greening and Mattel have given the collecting community a fabulous start to a new series of dolls. The series will be called “Willows, WI”. It is a tribute to classic Americana and you can’t get more American than Apple or Cherry pie. This one may be worth it for the little picnic basket alone…adorable!
Cherry Pie Picnic™ Barbie® Doll
Designed by: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/1/2015
Product Code: CGT29
No more than 4700 units produced worldwide.
She is a Barbiecollector direct exclusive so only available there. She retails for $75.00. Kind of pricey for vinyl. She is cute though.
Photos in this post courtesy of BarbieCollector.com
The Perks of Being a Shipping Buddy
If you are a doll collector outside of the United States, it is sometimes very handy to have a shipping buddy within the U.S who can combine a bunch of your purchases and send it in one big box to help save on the shipping. If you are a BFC member that lives outside the U.S., you need a shipping buddy to receive your purchases from BarbieCollector as they do not ship outside the U.S. ( grumble, grumble…really?!!). It is also a treat when you share the same collecting habits of your shipping buddy and they allow you to photograph some of their purchases. I have to give a big shout out to my friend and fellow blogger Rogier of Dutch Barbie World for allowing me to photograph and share one of his recent OOAK purchases. She is a beauty!!
Model: Repainted and re-rooted 45th Anniversary Silkstone by Xiaolan. Here is her Facebook page. Here is her Ebay store. She does beautiful work!
Dress: Bellissima Couture. Love the little dragonflies in this print!!
Shoes: Mattel
The doll came with a certificate of authenticity. Nice touch.
NEWS FLASH: 2015 National Barbie Doll Collector Convention Doll
Last year at convention, we were told that Mattel would be taking over the design as well as manufacturing the convention dolls for all official conventions. While I was sad that we would most likely not see the collaboration with OOAK artist that I so loved, I understood the business decision behind it. Conventions are becoming a big deal now ,I believe, and the convention doll is one of the main perks of the entire convention. There were rumors after the last U.S. Barbie convention that the dolls for all conventions (U.S., Japanese and European) would be the same but with perhaps some small variations. The Japanese Barbie convention is this weekend. I was excited to see the doll they were given as it might be an indicator of what we would be receiving this year at NBDCC. This morning, the NBDCC committee released a photo of this years convention doll on FB.
To say I am surprised is an understatement. I had not realized how much I enjoyed the anticipation and the final “reveal” as part of the convention experience. While I understand the reasoning behind releasing the photo…these photos were going to be out there anyway as of the end of this weekend…I am not sure how to feel about having this information early. It’s weird.
source: NBDCC
How do I feel about the doll? She is a fabulous representation of theme I think. I love the whole Marlene Dietrich vibe.
How do others feel about the release of this information so far in advance of the U.S. convention??
Sound off….
The Fashion Doll Vignette
I think you can tell by now that I love collecting fashion dolls. I also love photographing my collection and sharing those photos with you all. Another thing I really enjoy doing is displaying my collection. Some of the most popular images I share either here or on my flickr page involve some kind of diorama. To me, it is infinitely more interesting to share a scene rather than just a fashion image of a doll and outfit. One is editorial, the other shares a story. The second you add items and accessories, it becomes a scene and scenes have stories. Do I have a story when I set a scene? Sometimes, yes, sometimes, no.
This vignette started with the following youtube video. This is where I imagine all of my Silkstones live LOL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxufpX8yFc&list=UUonF9muPaQugKknkbQfQ2iw
In this diorama there are a number of amazing pieces. First and foremost, there is this exquisite suit, hat and gloves from Matisse. It is worn by Ballgown Silkstone.
The other treasures in this diorama are the 1/6 terrarium, 1/6 garden cloche and the OOAK painted 1/6 bombe chest. The plants are all miniature scale plants found on Amazon. The picture above the chest was a find on an antiquing trip to a local shop.
I don’t know if these little terrariums are available anymore but they are too adorable.
The miniature cloches can be found in most fairy garden supply stores. I have added a link for some at Amazon. Just click on cloches.
Let’s talk about this amazing bombe chest for a moment. It started life as a plastic jewelry chest. I have dear friend ,Carolyn Grentz, who is an amazing artist and she transformed this plastic jewelry chest into a 1/6 French baroque treasure. I am trying to talk her into doing a few more to sell at Barbie Convention.
Celebrating Spring
I love Spring. In the Pacific Northwest, it means the birds start singing and the constant grey rain gives way to a few sunny days here and there. I have always thought of Spring as a beginning…and I am so ready for some new and wonderful beginnings.
My camellias are starting to bloom…
and so are my crocus.
Lilacs are starting to bud.
Forsythia is holding court in the garden. The first sentinel of Spring.
My dear friend Hilda of Bellissima Couture gifted this exquisite gown for me over a year ago and I wanted to share it. Not only is it exquisite in every way, it also incorporates some lovely lace found on our trip to Paris. It is simply too lovely for words. A treasure in my collection..and heart.
BFMC 2015 Video Shared to All
It looks like the BFMC released the video for public consumption. Yipee!! That means I can share some still shots here.
You can find the full length video here
http://www.barbiecollector.com/news/2015-bfmc-collection-debut
The lineup for 2015 looks like this:
From left to right is Boucle Beauty, Blush Beauty, Fabulously Floral, Lavender Luxe and Little Red Dress.
Boucle Beauty:
The hair is quite a departure from the original photos released of her. I wonder what the actual production doll will look like. Time will tell but I am guessing it will be more like this than the previously released photos.
Lavender Luxe:
Be still my heart and open up my wallet!!! { moment of silence as I send silent meditative thanks and praise to Robert Best for this little piece of heaven}. The scene from the old Mervin’s commercial comes to mind where the woman is glued to the store door chanting “Open, Open, Open”.
Yes…me likey and me buying.
Blush Beauty:
Perfection!
Little Red Dress:
May need multiples of this one for redressing 
It looks like the BFMC team is really feeling the Dior vibe both with clothing and set design. Too cool.
2015 BFMC Revealed to BFC
Wow!!! Today the Barbie Fan Club released a video of the 2015 Barbie Fashion Model Collection. Real life photos of 5 dolls are shown. If you are a BFC member, sign in and go to link below to get access to the video. You have to be a BFC member to see this. If you are not a member, you will not be asked to join to see content. Note**If you are a BFC member, please do not share the Youtube link with non members as it is disrespectful to the paying members of the club and in violation of your contract to do so.**
http://www.barbiecollector.com/news/2015-bfmc-collection-debut
Fashionably Floral and Boucle Beauty photos have been released.
source: www.barbiecollector.com
source: www.barbiecollector.com
The remaining dolls in the collection are a ball gown, an AA doll and the pink beauty we saw in a sketch with BFC membership signup.
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Now…all I need are some release dates, some Mattel sanctioned photos and some prices and I can start budgeting. 
Oscar Night Glamour
For the past couple of years, I have shared an elaborately styled diorama photo in honor of the academy awards season. There was the “Getting Ready for the Oscars” post. Then there was the “Presenting at the Oscar’s” post. This year, I decided to go back to simple glamour and use the newest addition to the BFMC Silkstone Barbie line. She redresses incredibly well.
This is such a Hollywood glamour shot!
For those who wanted a better look at her hair, here you go. 
BFMC Fashionably Floral Has Arrived!
Don’t walk to get this one people….RUN! For $50 this Silkstone is an absolute steal.
Fashionably Floral™ Barbie® Doll
source: www.barbiecollector.com
The liner in the box is a soft pink! Adorable.
The new tags have pink lettering instead of blue…nice touch.
Hair is slightly different than promo shots. The hair comes into a curl closer towards the face on the production doll. I advise that you be very, very careful when removing the hair net from the chignon on this one. While it is nice that the chignon is not glued into lacquer hardness, it does mean that it can be messed up fairly easily. I decided to just sacrifice the hairnet and cut it off little by little. I then applied some hairspray and gel to keep things in place. All in all, not too bad.
Does that hat come curled like this you ask?? Nope. Want to know how I did it?
Just curl it inside a toilet paper roll for a couple hours. You will need to switch it around from one side to the other a couple times so both sides curl evenly.
She is a beauty!! Well worth the $50 in my opinion. I can’t wait to redress and photograph this lady.
Welcome Carlyle Nuera
There is a new Barbie Collector designer in town… and his name is Carlyle Nuera. He knows how to make an entrance! His debut design for BC just had photos released yesterday and she is a beautiful homage to the rich culture of the Philippines.
Designed by: Carlyle Nuera
Release Date: 2/2/2015
Doll Details
Body Type: ModelMuse™
Skin Tone: Tropic Tan
Facial Sculpt: Kira
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Eyelashes: Painted
source: www.barbiecollector.com
source: www.barbiecollector.com
source: www.barbiecollector.com
This is not Carlyle’s first offering in the collector community. He has offered up some amazing OOAK dolls for charity in the past couple of years.
Noëlie Barbie for the 2014 National Barbie Collectors Convention
source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/42498300@N07/14544364228/in/set-72157645791148955
Who could forget his Adam Lambert OOAK for Project Angel Food!
source: https://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/Barbie/catalog_items/3318012?ref=area
Also in the Charity Buzz auction benefiting Project Angel Food was his design of “Haute Hiver”.
source: https://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/Barbie/catalog_items/331807?ref=area
source: https://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/Barbie/catalog_items/331807?ref=area
Fashionably Floral in February
Mattel’s first BFMC offering will be available at BFC starting February 2nd. What a perfect way to welcome Valentine’s Day.
Fashionably Floral™ Barbie® Doll
Gold Label®
Designed by: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/2/2015
Product Code: CGK91
No more than 10000 units produced worldwide
Retail: $50.00
source: www.barbiecollector.com
It looks like Mr. Best and Lars(set designer for Mattel) are channeling their inner Dior with this set. How Fabulous!! I ask again…can we please, please, please get these little chairs in production for purchase?!!
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Ahhhh….so very Dior. I want to see the sketches on the table. Any clues to what is coming out this year??
source: www.barbiecollector.com
{SWOON} You had me at the hat people…at the hat. I have to admit though, the little side chignon is making me do the happy dance too. Here is another thing making me do the happy dance, the new box design.
source: www..amazon.co.uk
Rogier over at one of my favorite doll blogs, Dutch Barbie World, reported this morning with these pictures from European Amazon sites. If you want information on the Silkstone world first…sign up for his blog posts. I have to say…I like the IRL photos even better. And that pale pink liner?!!! {Swoon…again} Now how am I supposed to debox that?! Rogier laughed and said “Easy, get two” Wise words Mr. Corbeau.
The new logo is very reminiscent of the vintage Dior logo.
source: www.etsy.com
Owning a Silkstone has never been more affordable with this $50.00 price tag. What are you waiting for collectors? I will be running to get this one…may even get two 
-Rebecca
Vogue Paris–Panoplies
I am a fashion doll blogger. A large component of what I write about and photograph is about the fashion. I enjoy following the fashion industry and watching the fashion shows and reports. I enjoy giving my picks and pans after award ceremonies. This being the case, it thrills me when my love of following the fashion word and trends melds with my love of collecting fashion dolls in a totally different and inspirational way. In the December 2014 issue of Vogue Paris, editor and stylist Celia Azoulay and Laurent Philippon along with photographer Giampaolo Sgura collaborated to bring collectable fashion dolls to Vogue…and it’s fabulous. I had to share it here.
Panoplies , I believe, simply translated means “outfits” and this editorial gave us that….and a whole lota accessories. Accessories that I would kill to have in my closet ( doll or otherwise).
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
source: www.vogue.fr
What an amazingly clever editorial!! Ok Mattel, I would buy these. The luggage alone in the Louis Vuitton box….{swoon}.
If you want to see more ways in which the fashion world is currently intersecting with fashion doll collecting, check out Rogier’s post about these fabulous Dolce and Gabbana dolls https://dutchbarbieworld.wordpress.com/2014/12/27/dolce-gabbana-dolls-2/
Barbie Fan Club Membership Renewal Starts Today
If you were a member last year, you can renew your membership starting today 1/7/2015. If you want to sign up as a first time member, you will need to wait until 1/14/2015. The BFC has sold out for the last couple years but it has taken a while to do it so don’t know if you need to rush for this one. It looks like there will not be an “official” club doll this year. There are, however, a number of club exclusives that make it worth my interest.
Here are some of the fun perks of the club this year.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Adorable redheaded St Paddy’s day doll!! I will be adding this one to the collection.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
This may be another platinum offering like the previous black and white collection offerings but don’t quote me on it. If this will be a platinum offering, I predict this one will go fast like the others. I may actually enter the shark tank for this one 
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Aaaaahhhhh! Do my eyes deceive me??!! A pink Silkstone offering for 2015?!!! Ummm…no brainer…I’m in. Please oh please don’t make this a platinum offering. If it is, I would not only enter the shark tank…I would bring a honkin’ harpoon with me. Just sayin’ it up front people.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
This would be the adorable preview we saw at convention this year I believe. I will be adding this one to the collection too. I mean come on…the picnic basket alone is worth it.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Added to these exclusive goodies you also get:
-Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
-Quarterly “Designer Videos,” sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie™ Bulletin Board
-First access to audio interviews, collector spotlights, Fun Facts, and looks “behind the glam” with the passionate people on the Barbie® Collector team
If you are a current member and want to renew, you can click on any of the official Mattel photos above and it should take you to the membership renewal purchase page. I don’t know when they will open the links today but I am betting it will be sometime between 9AM and noon PST.
A New Poppy Plus Silkstone Sneak Peeks
I received the new “That Holiday Feeling” Poppy Parker a couple of days ago. Usually I get a shipping notice but not this time. It was a nice surprise. Here is her promo shot again
Source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
And here is the actual photo
The hairstyle is quite a bit different than the promo shots. The bangs needed some work to get them into a pleasing shape but a little bit of gel goes a long way to solve that dilemma. The rest of the hair while different is very pretty. Her face is sublime. Classic Poppy Parker. The dress came out of the box fairly wrinkled hence the tight in shot but that can be ironed to fix. The fabric of the gown is nice and the cape is adorable. I hope those lucky enough to win the chance to purchase get her in time to enjoy her over the holidays.
In other exciting fashion doll collector news recently, new Silkstone Barbie photos!!! Mattel shared information on two new Silkies to be released in 2015.
Fashionable Floral Silkstone Barbie
Available February 2015
Suggested Retail: $59.00
source: Mattel, Inc.
Hold the phone people!! If this price point is right… $59.00 is a steal!! I adore the little side chignon on this one. This one screams “gentleman caller” to me. She has to be from the south with an elegant hat like that.
Available April 2015
Suggested Retail: $110.00
Source: Mattel, Inc.
Oh the Chanelness of it all!!! This one is a no brainer for me. I hope the actual production doll has a shorter bob haircut like this. She is going to look fabulous next to my Preferably Pink Silkstone. I am noticing that there are no earrings with either one of these Silkstones. I guess this is one way to alleviate the “green ear” issue. This girl desperately needs a pair of pearl earrings to complete the look. I mean come on…what fashionista is going to leave the house without earrings….not this one.
-Rebecca
Good Intentions, Overestimations and Curve Balls
So…by now you have realized that the whole blogging thing from convention did not happen. It has been over a week since I have returned home and I have yet to get my first post out about it. A big part of the reason behind that is that I had no idea how difficult it would be to room sell, get pictures and then post a writeup about it. I had every intention of doing multiple blog posts a day with pictures showcasing the days events. See…I really did have “Good Intentions”.
What I failed to realize ( my “Overestimation” problem) was that I would be very busy with room sales and just attending the events. I felt good that I could upload photos to my Flickr page fairly regularly and frankly, I could do that while I was sitting at events or sitting waiting for events. It looks like many of you caught on to that and were at least able to visit my Flickr page to see photos of things. Thank you for your patience and continued support!
I also need to acknowledge something else that factored and will continue to factor in going forward for the next couple of months. While at convention, life threw me two heart wrenching and personal curve balls that may require me to take some time away from the blog. I anticipate being able to get the post convention writeups out and share a few stories about my experience but they may not be out in a timely manner. I ask for your understanding during this time. One of my favorite quotes during difficult times is by the indomitable Winston Churchill who said.. “ When you are going through Hell…keep going” Wise words Mr. Churchill…wise words.
-Rebecca
2014 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention…
…let the madness begin. By the time this blog entry posts, I will be boarding a series of flights that will take me deep into the heartland of the United States. The National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention (NBDCC) is gathering collectors from all over the world in Nashville Tennessee this year and I will be there to report and to enjoy.
I am especially excited to go and see old and new friends this year because I missed the big dance last year. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone. I will be sharing photos and updates on the blog here and on my Flickr account. Feel free to follow along. I will try to do my daily updates but am making no promises as I will also be selling out of my room this year. Things will most likely be a little crazy for a bit. Here is the sales flyer for what I have.
Fabulous silk scarves for our diminutive divas. Perfect for table gifts or as a hostess gift for your table hostess. The scarf sets come with a 5 inch by 5 inch silk scarf, designer scarf box and little scarf ring to keep it in place.
Each set is priced at $20.00 with over 40 different designs to choose from.
I will also be selling furniture.
If you are in Nashville this year, feel free to stop by. I will post the room number once I get in. Watch for the ITFDS flyers on the sales boards. Hope to post my first update tomorrow night. 
Karl Lagerfeld Barbie Announced
WWD announced today that a Karl Lagerfeld Barbie is in the works and set for release later this year.
source: WWD.com
Hope she won’t be too limited of an edition. I will be interested to see the actual doll photos.
The Allure of Dior
For most fashion lovers, all you have to say is the word Dior, and we are listening. Dior has been in the headlines of many collector FB pages and blogs recently because of a brand new exhibition in China right now. It is called Le Petit Théâtre Dior.
The exhibit is patterned off of the Théâtre de la mode exhibition that opened in Paris in March of 1945. Théâtre de la mode brought together European design houses to exhibit couture designs on small wire mannequins. It was done to reinvigorate a flagging fashion industry after World War II. The current beautifully constructed Dior exhibit also uses smaller mannequins to display some of Dior’s most famous fashions past and present. The fact that these are shown in small scale is enough to get me excited about this traveling exhibit ( oh please, please, please bring this one to the States!). The real bonus is…and here I concur with my friend Rogier who writes the very informative Dutch Barbie World blog…the exquisite sets they have designed for these small recreations. To a diorama enthusiast, these are pure heaven. Yes I would be one of those annoying people at this exhibit who simply would NOT move so you could see what was inside the case. I would need the entire day to commit to memory every detail in every display. Seriously….I am not kidding.
One of the cornerstones in this new exhibition appears to be the “Miss Dior” gown. The original “Miss Dior” gown was designed by Christian Dior in 1949
source: www.dior.com
Raf Simons, the current designer for the house of Dior, resurrected this design in his Fall 2012 couture collection and added a more modern spin.
source: www.style.com
It was used in the ad campaigns for the Miss Dior perfume.
source: www.dior.com
Mr. Simons even designed a black version of the gown
source: http://thestatementbox.com/2013/11/19/miss-dior-exhibition-at-the-grand-palais/
With this new exhibit, Dior has created a small scale version of the iconic gown from 1949 and gave us an absolutely mesmerizing video to show the making of.
source: www.dior.com
source: www.dior.com
Many, many collectors are just blown away by this gown and are lusting after it for their diminutive diva’s. Wouldn’t you just love to have this in your collection? Well…maybe you can….or at least something very close to it. The talented Hilda of Bellissima Couture will be holding a silent auction for a 1/6 scale replica of the “Miss Dior” gown. Information about the auction should be on her blog today, June 12th.
Reverence for the Repaint…Part II
Here is the third and final repaint I received from from the amazing repaint artist Jon Copeland. She was originally a Suite Retreat™ Barbie® Doll.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
This is what Jon Copeland did with her. STUNNING!
Gown and Hat: Bogue’s Vogues
Gloves, shoes and jewelry: Mattel
Fur: Dimitha
-Rebecca
It’s been a while…
…since I have posted. For the past month, I have been photographing big dolls on stage as they fly through the air in time to music.
Yes, that’s my dancer daughter in the front. Proud mama moment. Now that dance recital season is over with photos processed and on my website available for happy parents to purchase, I can turn my time and energy to other photography projects. Namely, I can get back to photographing some new acquisitions into the collection. Before I do that however, I wanted to share something.
As a person who loves images and has an even greater love for capturing images, I enjoy going to Flickr to get inspired. I am constantly amazed at the wealth of creativity that can be found there. Yesterday, I saw a photo by a Flickr member whom I follow and who I truly enjoy trading witty comments with. On Flickr, her name is Malibu T. I knew she was a talented painter based on the photos she has shared but I was floored by the project she just shared.
This is what she started with: A Mattel Enchanted Evening Castle
source: Mattel, Inc.
And this is what she did with it:
** all photos below are under Malibu T’s copyright and are being used with her permission**
Holy cow!! She has also gone way above and beyond by sharing on her Flickr page how she did this. If you want to read about it, go here. Way cool!!
Yes, I know I am behind on responding to comments. I will be getting to those tomorrow. 
Reverence for the Repaint
I can do many things when it comes to doll collecting. I cannot do what Jon Copeland does. I can’t even contemplate it. I can, however, observe, enjoy and photograph it.
For those who are interested, she was originally a Mila™ Barbie® Doll.
Mattel Launches Commemorative Gone With The Wind Dolls
Holy cow!! Gone with the Wind is 75 years old?! Seriously?! In commemoration, Mattel has launched a trio of dolls. Rhett and two versions of Scarlett. The face mold looks really accurate for Vivian Leigh.
Photo source: Barbiecollector.com
GONE WITH THE WIND™ SCARLETT O’HARA™ Doll
Designed by: Monica LaValle
Release Date: 5/20/2014
Retail: $80.00
GONE WITH THE WIND™ SCARLETT O’HARA™ Doll
Designed by: Monica LaValle
Release Date: 5/20/2014
Retail: $34.95
GONE WITH THE WIND™ RHETT BUTLER™ Doll
Designed by: Monica LaValle
Release Date: 5/20/2014
Retail: $34.95
I adore the red gowned Scarlett. I wonder though… why the huge price difference between the white gowned Scarlett and the red one? Are there $45.00 worth of extra flounces on that white gown? If there is a 1/6 scale historic replica hoop skirt under there then they may have a point. If they don’t, commemorative or not, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a ….” . You fill in the blank.
A Dulcissima Bride
If you look up the translation for Dulcissima it says “Sweet” or “Sweetest”. I think this recent addition to the BFMC Alta Moda collection comes off as more sultry than sweet. However you see this one..sweet or sultry, she is a beauty. While her original Dolce and Gabbana inspired outfit may have not been my thing, dressing her in this Joe Tai bridal fashion definitely suited me and my collection.
-Rebecca
Worth The Wait
Patience is indeed a virtue. It is a virtue I don’t happen to have a clear grasp of most days. When I send a doll off for repainting, I want it back like yesterday. I like to send a doll off to a repaint artist and give general likes or dislikes but I don’t give specifics about what I want done. I usually like to leave it in the talented and capable hands of the artist and I get what I get. I sent a few ladies off to Jon Copeland of SeloJDesigns a number of months ago and while the wait to get them back was longer than he or I would have liked….it was entirely worth it. I received three sublimely unique and beautifully painted OOAK’s that I am completely in love with. I will be photographing and showing them over the next couple of weeks. They are treasures…each and every one.
I am also going through a a bit of a wedding kick ( you know…the whole June thing) so a few brides will be thrown in the mix as well. My bride fetish and one of my new OOAK’s from Jon combined in the doll room this afternoon for a truly enjoyable photoshoot . I had roughly 30 minutes of sunshine today to do this set of photos. I believe I maximized the time well 
Jon….MWAH!
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 