In The Palace
For those of you who follow my instagram feed, you have seen some of these images already. It is not my intention to post images on Instagram first but sometimes it just works out that way. If I am excited about a photo, sometimes I just can’t contain myself and have to share it immediately. Sometimes there is just an image and no backstory or text/dialogue I want to share with it other than the image itself. Instagram is a great platform for that. If you don’t follow me there, consider it. I share funny behind the scenes stories and pictures on my Instagram stories too. My blog will still be the place to come when you want the full set of images on something and/or more information on what is in the picture. Ok, now that public service announcement is out of the way….on to the pictures.
I had this amazing graphic a friend had sent me many moons ago and had used it in backdrops for Hilda and my sales table at Barbiecon. I always love architectural drawings and wanted to see if it would work as a photo backdrop. Thankfully..it did.
Elyse In The Palace
Model: Divinely Luminous Elyse from Integrity Toys
Gown: Rimdoll on Etsy
Jewelry: Divinely Luminous Elyse
I felt like I needed an opulent set to go with this amazing dress from Rimdoll. It is a wonderful interpretation of the Dior Robe Mexique from 1951.
Elyse wasn’t the only one at the palace the day of this shoot. Dasha made an appearance as well.
Dasha at the Palace
Model: Daydream Dasha d’Amboise from Integrity Toys
Gown: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Jewelry: Daydream Dasha and Mattel
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Love this shirt long skirt combo. Sooooo elegant!! This miniature couture designer out of Vietnam is amazing. I will tell you that his designs take a while to manufacture and arrive. I can also tell you that while the wait was long, I was always happy with the product.
-Rebecca
Chinoiserie
Ok…so many of you readers realize I am a little obsessed with my new Jon Copeland-Childers Poppy Parker repaint right? Another thing I was recently obsessed with was this pink chinoiserie backdrop I did. The apple green eyes of this lovely model inspired this setting and the chance to use this amazing backdrop. Hope you enjoy!
Model: Lash Out Poppy Parker repainted by Jon Copeland-Childers
* Poppy Parker has been re-bodied on an FR2 “FR White” body*’
Gown: Joe Tai
Jewelry: Integrity Toys Rare Appearance Dania
Backdrop: Chinoiserie wrapping paper I found ages ago
Chaise Lounge: Petit Luxury Couch ( repainted in silver/gold)
Flooring: marble contact paper
miniatures: Rement
Miniature Maltese: AnnaRyasnova on Etsy
-Rebecca
To The Manor Born
I never saw the BBC show of this name but am interested in the phrase. It is believed to be originally from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the actual line is “To the manner born“. Language and time have morphed this line into today’s “to the manor born” which essentially means someone born into affluence. The well known phrase “being born with a silver spoon in your mouth” is another example of similar meaning. Now…why am I going into this? Excellent question. When I first saw promo photos of Black Tie Ball Vanessa, my first thought was “This is a party girl and she is inebriated.” She had the half-open eyes of someone who has imbibed just a bit too much. When I opened the box and saw her in real life, my opinion changed a bit. I still saw the party girl but I thought it would be fun to portray her as the trust fund baby party girl. I love the platinum tresses on this lady and while the sleepy eyes kind of bother me, it definitely set my imagination flying and produced some fun shots. I have nothing to complain about…oh…except perhaps the skirt on the dress she came in. It doesn’t hang right. The jewelry, shoes and top of the gown are all exceptional though. Photos of Miss BTB Vanessa in her original gown are on my Flickr page.
The gown in these shots is by Eifeldolldress. Love it!!
For those interested in the set for these shots, here is the info:
Champagne glasses are exquisitely delicate and in correct scale. They are from Facets by Marcia.
Champagne bottle…have absolutely no idea where I got this. Most likely from a Gloria furniture set.
Bombé chest is a repainted plastic jewelry chest. My friend and artist Carolyn Grentz did this for me.
Gold chairs were custom ordered from China. You can find more like them here. Frankly though, you should just get ahold of some Barbie Fan Club chairs from this year and spray paint them gold…it would be cheaper.
Floral arrangement: Made by me of various silk and fabric flowers.
And this little adorable Maltese!! I found her on Etsy.
-Rebecca
Paris Fashion Week
It sounds like collectors are finally receiving their classic black dress silkstones after ordering them back in February. I thought it was time to bring this lady out and showcase her in a setting that touches on what is going on currently in the fashion world…Paris Fashion Week. Hope you enjoy!
Model: Classic Black Dress Barbie® Doll
Dress: Bellissima Couture
Hat: Scrapbooking element from Joann’s Fabric
Jewelry: necklace made by me
Shoes: Mattel
Gloves: Have absolutely noooooo idea. I don’t think they are Mattel. They may have come with a DEA fashion. They fit this new articulated body very snuggly though.
Set: Ornate wall made by me, gold chairs obtained through special order, flooring is checkerboard contact paper.
-Rebecca
Poppy Parker Live from the Oscars Red Carpet!
Every time the Oscars roll around, I feel compelled to do some kind of red carpet or Oscar themed shoot. I have done Barbie getting dressed in her closet. I’ve done Barbie on her way to presenting the Oscar. I’ve done Barbie on the red carpet. I have yet to do any Integrity Toys, Inc products for the Oscar night festivities. Well…I’m going to fix that right now! Poppy Parker is going to the Oscars!
Model: Mood Changer Poppy Parker repainted and restyled by Jon Copeland-Childers of SeloJSpa ( she has been re-bodied on a FR2 body)
Gown: Pansak Charoentonphubal of Eifeldolldress
Jewelry: On Set ( gift fashion from 2015 I.T. Cinematic Convention)
Will try and have my red carpet picks and pans from the Oscars on Monday 
Back to Basics
What do I mean by that? Good question. With all the negativity going on right now surrounding this new articulated silkstone body from Mattel and the general feeling that they are not listening to their adult collector community, I took a moment to refocus. I was getting too wrapped up in the negativity of the bad front end user interface of the Barbie Collection website and the lack of information and general feel of apathy coming from Mattel. I needed to come back to why I like to collect…”Why am I doing this?”. I needed to go look at my collection and start falling in love again. It didn’t take long. I went into the studio and took some photos and started rediscovering why I love to collect fashion dolls. It’s not about Mattel and what they do and don’t do. It’s not about Integrity Toys either. They do play a part because it is their products that fuel a passion but it’s not why I collect.
The love lies in what is done with these fashion models. It’s the creativity and support of the community that truly fuels and sustains the love of this hobby. With so much hurt and negativity going on right now, I think it’s time to pull back and refocus on my collection and what I enjoy most about it. I am not one to be driven by the acquisition of a thing nor am I what some consider a completest. Contrary to some people’s believe, I do not own every Silkstone Barbie ever made ( although I would not turn down the opportunity to LOL!). What I strive to do is have a collection of things that I truly enjoy. So…that is what I am going to try do do with the blog this year. Focus on enjoying the collection I have and not get tied up in where Mattel is going with their product line or not going with their website. It’s time to enjoy the collection I have. And I hope to share that enjoyment with you all through the photos I produce.
This gorgeous lady came to me at this past year’s Barbie Collector convention in Virginia. She is a Mannequin Maven. Mannequin Maven’s are the collaborative team of the very talented Maryann Roy and Hilda Westervelt. I love it when these two gifted artists get together and create! They never disappoint. Hilda and Maryann have collaborated for various charity donations for GAW, Kenvention, NBDCC and Rome Fashion Doll Convention.
The poodle…well…the poodle is a whole other story. That little guy came to me through a new friend made at Barbie convention and it quickly became my travel companion and sort of travel meme through the entire trip. For those in the “poodle club” …and you know who you are…it was time to bring the poodle out for a real photo shoot. We really need to give this little guy a name before next convention.
Dusk Falls at Integrity Toys
For the past couple of years, Integrity Toys has sponsored a contest during their annual convention. It is a fashion design challenge. The judges for the competition are Jason Wu and his design team from Integrity Toys. The person who wins the competition has their design produced by Integrity Toys and it is offered up for sale in the following years collection. Pretty cool right? This past years convention design competition winner was Julia Leroy a very talented designer and photographer. She holds a masters in design so it is no surprise that she would bring those skills into her collecting. A most excellent design Julia!!! Thank you so much for sharing your designing talent and creativity with the collecting community.
As Dusk Falls
Eugenia Perrin Frost™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2014 Design Competition Award Doll by Julia Leroy
Edition Size: TBA (Based on all orders received)
Suggested Retail Price: $150 public/$130 W Club Members (+ Shipping and tax if applicable)
Estimated Delivery Date: Approximately Winter 2015/2016
Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Eugenia
Body Type: FR 2013
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colors: Golden Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied
**Pictures of prototype shown below; final production colors and textures may vary slightly.**
This was Julia’s competition entry. You can follow Julia and her amazing "Culte de Paris" work on Flickr.
Best of all, this beauty will not just be available to WClubbers but the general public as well! Check the Integrity Toys shop for more info.
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
Dressmaker Details Has a New Couture Offering
The very talented Steven Frasier of Dressmaker Details has a new fashion to tempt our diminutive divas. It is a limited edition of 300 and is called…
Suited To Party
Available at Windy City Dolls http://www.windycitydolls.com/dressmaker.htm
** Photo is property of Dressmaker Details **
Seasons Greetings from ITFDS
After a couple of weeks of absolute holiday craziness…I am sure you all can relate….I have finally finished editing photos of the doll room and surround for your viewing pleasure. Because I have some avid pinners out there who are still pinning from my skydrive when I have asked “Please, please , please don’t do that ( you know who you are), I will not be posting all the photos in a slideshow. I have , however, put together a slideshow set to music which I have uploaded to youtube and am sharing here too. I will share a few stills but the bulk of the photos are in the slideshow. There are over 100 photos in the slideshow so a little something for everybody 
Happy Holidays! From my doll room to your home, I hope you enjoy the photos and slideshow. I also want to take this opportunity to say a huge, huge “Thank You” to my readers and commenters. You are..in a phrase…”why I do what I do”. I thank you all for your support and encouragement. I hope in 2013 that my work will continue to interest you.
Note**** If you want to see the high resolution version of this, you need to tell the youtube player on your scrren to give you the highest quality. It’s one of the small icons on the bottom right of the youtube screen**
