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Sweet,Swiss and Provencale

The title of this post sounds like a new bistro sandwich LOL!  The earlier gowns of the BFMC Barbie line are the favorites of many.  This gown from a Barbie called “Provencale” with it’s delicate blue and white pattern was originally worn by a short haired redhead. 

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(source Barbiecollector.com)

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(source Barbiecollector.com)

I have never warmed to that particular doll in that dress.  I love the dress and I love the doll…just not together.  This dress, since it entered my collection, has graced the form of French Maid Barbie.

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For a time last week, this gown was beautifully worn by the newly released red haired Poppy Parker.  Hope you like the photos.

Model:  Sweet in Switzerland Poppy Parker

Gown and Jewelry:  Provencale™ Barbie® Doll

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And just in case you needed even more drama in these photos….

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Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi

It was definitely time for another BVV!  I pulled these images from my stock pile of candid shots to share today. 

Model:  Walking Suit Barbie® Doll

Gown and hat:  Bogue’s Vogues

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The Sweetness of Alice Blue

I am on a Poppy Parker high at the moment with the arrival of all of the International Fair Poppys.  I am also on a bit of a color kick and apparently it is specifically a blue color kick.  After spending an entire post on the color Tiffany Blue and it’s origin and meaning, I found myself wondering about the origin of “Alice Blue”.  That was the first thought I had when I saw this red haired beauty in her adorable skating outfit.  It brought to mind thoughts of Alice in Wonderland (as I recall, colorized illustrations typically had her in blue) or the shade of blue favored by the Queen Mother (a factoid I am particularly proud of knowing because it allowed me to win a point in trivial pursuit against my husband…something I NEVER get to do).  I digress.  Anywhoo… It got me to wondering where did this term of “Alice Blue” come from.  Here is the answer according to Wikipedia

“Alice blue is a pale tint of azure that was favored by Alice Roosevelt Longworth, daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and which sparked a fashion sensation in the United States.

The hit song "Alice Blue Gown", inspired by Longworth’s signature gown, premiered in Harry Tierney’s 1919 Broadway musical Irene. The musical was made into a film in 1940 starring Anna Neagle and Ray Milland.

The color is specified by the United States Navy for use in insignia and trim on vessels named for Theodore Roosevelt.[citation needed] "AliceBlue" is also one of the original 1987 X11 color names which became the basis for color description in web authoring. The name "Alice Blue" was trademarked in 2001 by a costume company called "Alice Blue Fancy Dress & Costume" in the U.K. but the livery color chosen by them was not the correct Alice Blue shade, but instead a rich royal blue.

This particular shade of blue is also referred as white-blue (or blue-white) and ice/icy blue, due to its very pale coloration.”  (source Wikipedia)

Here is Miss Sweet in Switzerland Poppy Parker fresh out of the box in her first photo shoot for Inside The Fashion Doll Studio..in her Alice Blue outfit.

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And since it was too warm to be wearing the fur hat, muff, skates and tights for long…

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You may be noticing some different color profiles coming from me in the coming blog posts.  I have entered the sticky wicket world of Photoshop filters…and it’s a bit like Alice going down the rabbit hole.  Who knows where I will end up LOL!

“It would be so nice if something would make sense for a change.” –Alice

To Sir, With Love

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This song practically screams 1965 to me and apparently many others because it is listed in the top 5 songs of 1965.  Love the movie, love the song and loved playing it while I shot these. 

Model:  Irresistible in India Poppy Parker

Gown and earrings: Palm Beach Coral Silkstone Barbie

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This outfit by Robert Best for the Silkstone Barbie line looks to be inspired by vintage 1960’s Valentino.  Beautiful and so appropriate for Ms. 1965 Poppy!  Those nails though…Yipes!!

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source:  ganzomag.com

I hope you have enjoyed this walk through the mid 1960’s with Ms. Irresistible in India Poppy Parker.  This is not a style I photograph that often so it was fun to pop in some oldies but goodies and revisit the 60’s for a bit.

So Happy Together…

My next installment of Poppy Parker was done to the music of the Turtles

This was listed as one of the top 10 songs of 1965 so very appropriate for the 1965 International Fair Poppys. 

Model:  Irresistible in India Poppy Parker

Swimsuit and coverup:  The Barbie Look Poolside™ Barbie® Fashion

Earings:  Palm Beach Breeze™ Barbie® Doll

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**Source: Photo above was enhanced with PS brushes by Nureen-REstock on Deviantart.  Thank you for making them available for use!**

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Poppy is California Dreamin’

I know I have said this before, but I will reiterate.  I always listen to music while I shoot photos.  It’s just something I have always done with doll photos.  I have two musicians in the house so if I am not playing music, it’s being played somewhere around me.  While typing this blog post, my daughter is hard at work on a violin piece called Gavotte in D Major by Bach…but I digress.  While shooting this series of photos, it seems only right that I go to the time that David Buttry used as inspiration for this his International Fair Poppy series.  When it comes to late 60’s, there is one stand out favorite for me…California Dreamin’ by the Mamas and the Papas, and that is where I went for some mood music for this next set of photos.

Model:  Irresistible in India Poppy Parker

Swimsuit and coverup:  Barbie Basics

Jewelry:  Irresistible in India Poppy Parker

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While looking at some inspirations photos for this shoot, I ran across this one from 1967.  The hair!!

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She is Irresistible

It’s official… “Irresistible in India Poppy Parker” is indeed…irresistible.  Okay, so I freely admit to playing Desi Girl while opening this one up.  If you have not had the pleasure of hearing this Bollywood favorite, I recommend it( it’s at the bottom of this post).  I waited for the sun to rise this morning, then it was up to the doll room and out came the camera.  I did an entire series on this fabulous new Poppy with a nod to the time Mr Buttry has given us as his inspiration…1965.  I will be posting a new set of photos every day for the next couple of days.

Her intricate hair style is sooooo late 1960’s.  Absolutely fabulous!!

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What’s coming up….

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Tiffany Blue

“Tiffany Blue is the colloquial name for the light medium robin egg blue color associated with Tiffany & Co., the New York City jewelry company. The color was used on the cover of Tiffany’s Blue Book, first published in 1845.[1] Since then Tiffany & Co. has used the color extensively on promotional materials, including boxes and bags.

The Tiffany Blue color is protected as a color trademark by Tiffany & Co. in some jurisdictions including the U.S.[2][3]

The color is produced as a private custom color by Pantone, with PMS number 1837, the number deriving from the year of Tiffany’s foundation. As a trademarked color, it is not publicly available and is not printed in the Pantone Matching System swatch books.”  (source:  Wikipedia)

Just say the name “Tiffany Blue” and instantly people know exactly what color you are talking about.  When I think of this color, I have an almost visceral response.  It has come to mean not just “Oh I’m getting something really special if it’s in a box like that” but indicative of the upper echelon of beauty, style and elegance.  If something is presented in that color, I’m going to spend time looking at it.  It’s the  reason why I stand transfixed when a Korean Air commercial comes on….it uses that color.   Only one other color approaches this kind of power in my life…Barbie pink of course.  So, it can come as no surprise that when Matisse had a dress of this color for sale, I went after it like a shark after a chum boat.

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Miss “The Happening” Poppy Parker is wearing a Mattise outfit with matching hat and clutch.  Shoes are by Mattel.  The faux fur wrap is also by Mattise and Poppy’s pearl earrings were borrowed from a sister Poppy whose name escapes me at this time. 

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I was all set to type this blog post up and call it a day…and then the sun came out in the doll room…and I had to take some more shots.  I also think its important to note the difference between studio lighting and actual daylight.  while I strive to be as color accurate as I can when I photograph things in the tabletop studio, invariably there will be color variation.  Both settings also have a different and distinct feeling.  Most of what I do, is in the studio.  I like the look and feel of it.  I am branching out to more natural light shoots but I only anticipate being able to do that in the summer months. I have noticed that outdoor shots of dolls is  enjoying a renaissance on the doll boards.  It is really beautiful and inspiring to see.20130618-IMG_1195-Editwmsized

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Brenda…I think I like the dress. SmileI adore your work!!

Take Me To The Fair

This past week marked the arrival of the 2013 WClub upgrade dolls.  Since the Poppy Parker “To the Fair” promotional shots were shown, anticipation for this one has been high.  The promotional shots did not exaggerate David Buttry’s fabulous work…this one’s a stunner.  Here is what we were expecting.

To The Fair! PP collage copy

Source:  Integrity Toys, Inc

And here is what arrived.

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Feeling like a winner for choosing to preorder this one.  SmileExcellent work David!

A Glimmer of Inspiration

Many of you may remember the platinum edition BFC exclusive Glimmer of Gold™ Barbie® Doll.  I was lucky enough to be able to get this one.

 

source:  www.barbiecollector.com Glimmer of Gold

While engaging in my favorite pastime  {cough} obsession {cough}, I came across a photo on Pinterest (Thank you Ana Labato!! http://pinterest.com/anaquell/the-world-of-fashion/)that showed me a likely inspiration for this doll design.

sources:  Style.com and barbiecollector.com

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Cool!  And since I know a friend of mine is anticipating the arrival of the platinum edition AA Golden Gala into their collection, I took some photos with her in the Glimmer of Gold fashion.  And it’s in THE window. Smile

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