NBDCC Convention News–Sitting this one out.
First and Foremost let me wish Barbie a very Happy 61st Birthday today!!! In honor of her birthday I thought it would be a good day to announce some news and give some information on a fun sale that Miss Hilda ( Bellissima Couture) and I have cooked up for Miss Barbie.
Some of you may have heard already but I wanted to put this out there for everyone. Hilda and I will not be attending the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention this year in Las Vegas. The reasons for us not going are varied. I want to assure everyone that it is not due to any health related issues. My family and I are doing very well and I am happy to report that all of my daughter’s scans have been blissfully clear and without any evidence of cancer since 2018. Sooooo grateful!!! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They are working!!
We are very sad to not be seeing everyone. This community of collectors is what drives Hilda and I to do what we do. Because we love and value this collector community so much we have been coming up with some fun ways to offer the same products we normally offer at Barbiecon but via our online shops. This way everyone can participate and not just those attending the convention. For those attending NBDCC, please know we are very sorry to miss seeing and visiting with you at the convention. I am most sorry to miss that one on one connection. It was and is always the highlight of going to the convention for me.
Now that we are announcing, both Hilda and I wanted to offer up a special sales event on Barbie’s birthday to begin our series of online events leading up to the NBDCC. The plan is to offer a couple different capsule collections from now until June. These capsule collections will include fashions by Hilda (Bellissima Couture). Some will have unique OOAK fabrics we have developed together. Offerings will include luxury accessories that I have done to compliment the fashions. Also, this means {cue drumroll please!}….my Etsy shop is opening!!!!
My Etsy shop is ITFashionDollStudio and should be open by Friday if not before. I will send the link via blog post on Friday or before once it is open.
If you are interested in the fashions, head on over to Hilda’s blog (Bellissima Couture). She is selling the dresses and the dresses with bag as a set. If you are interested in the accessories ( bag sets, individual bags, hat boxes and pillows) please visit my Etsy shop when it opens this Friday.
-Rebecca
NBDCC 2019–Let It Begin!!!
I have just returned from the National Barbie Doll Collector Convention which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a big year this year as it is Barbie’s 60th birthday. The actual convention began on Wednesday, July31st but most avid collectors show up as early as the Sunday before to take advantage of amazing room shopping. Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and I opened on Monday for room sales. Here are a few of the shots of what we had available in our room.
Hilda’s exclusives for room shopping and sales room
And some fun eyewear and neck scarves from me….
Needless to say, we hit the ground running upon landing in Kansas City on Sunday 
Stay tuned….more blog posts on ooak designer parties and convention events coming up!!
–Rebecca
The Elyse Chronicles: The B Word
For this installment of the Elyse Chronicles and my homage to the 10th Anniversary Jason Wu dolls, I’m using the Nordstrom’s Elyse. This doll was an exclusive release from the upscale retailer Nordstrom.
Ok come on….when the first images of this doll were released…even though many of us are Integrity Toys collectors…we all thought it…Barbie.
She looks a whole like like Miss Babs with the hairstyle and bright red lips, nails and toes. Given that, I just had to do this next set of photos. I just had to.
–Rebecca
Artist Creations
Artist Creation brought some real beauties from Italy to Houston. And the fans were lining up to get a good first look and chance to buy one off their creation.
A lot of creations in fine lace and soft pastels.
for more information: http://www.artistcreations.it
Magia2000
O wow it felt like Christmas morning when Rebecca send me her pictures from yesterdays Magia2000 Ooak party. What an amazing gift to see so much beauty and details in this collection.
The space theme from this years convention would not be my theme. But wow, now I see how Fashionable Barbie can be in Space. What I always love about Magia2000 is that their collection has a theme. And especially this year the inspiration is so diverse inside the theme. But it all comes beautiful together in one collection. From modern Couture inspiration by Ralph & Russo and Chanel, vintage Balenciaga, Lady gaga, and vintage Star Wars and Star Trek Icons.
So sit back am enjoy this amazing collection.
for more information: http://www.magia20000.com
Gilly Gals
Yesterday Evening during roomshopping Rebecca went to Gilly Gals. The Ooak Artist Angie Gill brought some amazing Ooak Genies and Belly Dancers to Houston.
I am loving all the details on the dolls. How cool are these shoes !!!
And these dolls can dance.
For more information: http://www.GillyGals.com
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….
First Silkstone of 2017 Coming Soon
It looks like these images are up on the Barbie Collection website so I will share them here too. The first Silkstone of 2017 will be available tomorrow!! While I am not a fan of this articulated body, I still love the look of this first offering.
I find it very interesting that these images are available but no news on the Barbie Fan Club for 2017 is up and available yet. Word is 03/31/2017. Let’s just say, I will believe it when I see it. In the mean time, there are images and a price point for this silkstone to mull over.
Black & White Tweed Suit Barbie® Doll
Gold Label
Designer:Robert Best
Release Date: 03/27/2017 ( release doesn’t always mean available people…just sayin’)
Price: $75.00
Love the redhead! Love the suit and Hermes inspired Kelly bag. The hat…hmmmm…will have to see. Happy that this lady has earrings! I have to be honest…I am shocked we don’t have any new information on the BFC yet…just some vague information that it would be coming out by 03/31/2017. I will be adding this beauty to my collection, club or no club.
-Rebecca
It’s Party Time
Everyone in the fashion world has their eyes turned toward Paris right now for the culmination of the 2017 Spring Summer Ready to Wear shows and I thought, “what does one do at the end of fashion week?”. If it were me, I would want to celebrate so that is the inspiration behind this group of photos. Well…that and a killer sparkle dress from Rimdoll.
Here is the mood board I posted on Instagram.
Dress: Rimdoll on Etsy
Shoes: Integrity Toys Cold shoulder Eugenia
Earrings: Integrity Toys Fabulous Fields Luchia
Glassware: Facets by Marcia
Fur Wrap: Pottery Barn wine bottle adornment ( yes!! seriously!! I know right?!)
Champagne bottle: origins of which are lost in the quagmire of my mind….
There was another item besides the gown that I was inspired by. Those of us who attended last years Integrity Toys convention were a bit hmmmm…lets just say underwhelmed by the convention doll last year. Her name was ‘Making an Entrance’ Karolin Stone and she was a severe looking lady with a major broad forehead. Not the most attractive look in my opinion.
I really liked her facial screening but I was all ready to sell this one when I saw an image of a restyled Karolin on Rimdoll’s Etsy site. I decided to change course and see if I could soften her look a bit. Here is what I ended up with and I have to say…I am very happy 
.
She still has the wide forehead but at least it’s softened up by the roll of bangs.
Welcome to Fall everyone!
And before you say it…YES I know there is no such thing as a pink pumpkin. They are there to remind all of us that it is breast cancer awareness month people…so do those self exams and get those mammograms!!!
The Royal Tea
Ok..so this series of shots were inspired by the outfit I posted on Instagram. As with many images, what looks good on an idea board does not translate to a model or doll. In this case, the hat that looked good on the board did not translate well to actual model. And…as much as I wanted to use it, the teapot did not make it into the final shots either. Sometimes it works out sometimes it doesn’t. The post is called “The Royal Tea” because the dog is wearing a crown .
Here was the Instagram inspiration:
You will notice a little bit of a color cast difference between my Instagram shots and the other images I use in the blog. The reason behind this is a difference in camera. Most if not all of the outfit boards that I post are shot with…wait for it…my IPhone. If I ever get around to doing my next photography installment you will learn more about that. Suffice it to say, as good as these new phones are these days, they still have a long way to go as far as color balance. Ok…geek photography moment over.
I am sharing snippets of the photo process on some of these posts on my instagram stories so feel free to follow that if you want. They disappear in 24 hours so they are there and then they are gone.
I am totally in love with this doll. She is Rare Appearance Dania Zarr from Integrity Toys. She was a WClub exclusive for 2014. Still one of my favorite models. The dress is a new acquisition from the talented Gwen of Gwendolyn’s Treasures.
Model: Integrity Toys Rare Appearance Dania Zarr
Dress: Gwendolyn’s Treasures
Hat: Bogue’s Vogues
Gloves: Integrity Toys IT Airways Poppy Parker
Necklace: made by me
Dog: Mattel
Shoes: Integrity Toys Sneak Peek Eden
Perfume bottle: Purchased at 2016 Barbiecon from Hande. If you ever go to Barbiecon… her sales table is a favorite of mine. Great minis! Sorry, no website or Etsy store yet.
-Rebecca
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
New Barbie Look and Silkstone News!
There has been a bit of a Barbie drought in this collectors house for a while but that may change in the coming weeks. This morning, The Barbie Collection added a few items for preorder that has some collectors very interested.
First up are a couple of new Barbie Look dolls.
The Barbie Look™ Barbie® Doll – Park Pretty
Designer: Bill Greening
- Body Type: Articulated
- Facial sculpt: Millie
- Fashion Sewn On: No
- Fashion: Floral dress paired with yellow peep toe shoes
- Accessories: Doll, fashion, shoes, sunglasses, bracelets, purse, phone, coffee drink, Miss Honey, dog tag
Release Date: 9/30/2016 **** Caveat…don’t be fooled by the date people, it says release but in actuality, this one won’t ship until 11/11/16** Just keeping it real.
Retail: $29.95
I love the accessories this one comes with. Honey the dog is always a plus ( did you know this dog has her own Instagram account!) and the phone and iced coffee drink is adorable. It looks like this doll also has a semi ‘made to move’ body. The knees at least look that way and one would assume its so Barbie can sit very easily on the picnic blanket while she is at the park. Nice work Bill. I like this one.
The Barbie Look™ Barbie® Doll – Pool Chic
Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 9/30/2016
- Body Type: Articulated
- Facial sculpt: Karl
- Fashion Sewn On: No
- Fashion: Floor-length aqua blue halter dress with gold detail
- Accessories: Doll, fashion, shoes, earrings, bracelet, purse, phone, compact with pom pom, lipstick
Release Date: 9/30/2016 **** Caveat…don’t be fooled by the date people, it says release but in actuality, this one won’t ship until 11/11/16** Just keeping it real.
Retail: $29.95
Very elegant and I love the accessories again. Bill…you have this collector’s attention. I am really liking these Barbie Look collections so far.
Classic Black Dress Barbie® Doll (Brunette)
Designer: Robert Best
- Body Type: Posable Silkstone®
- Facial sculpt: Vintage Silkstone
- Fashion Sewn On: No
- Fashion: Little black dress
- Accessories: Boots
Release Date: 9/30/2016 **** Caveat…don’t be fooled by the date people, it says release but in actuality, this one won’t ship until 01/31/17** Just keeping it real.
Retail: $40.00
OK…first off I am really happy that a brunette version of the adorable blonde classic black dress silkstone will be available to collectors now. The price point is very attractive too! However, this doll is eerily similar to a couple of the convention dolls given in Europe this past year. If I were an attendee for one of these conventions and I saw this, frankly, I would be a little pissed off. Those convention dolls are supposed to be super exclusive, a perk for going to them. Now Mattel is offering up a doll so similar it’s uncomfortable. Here is the Milan convention doll…
Odd choice Mattel.
Fall Fashion Week
Milan fashion week wrapped up day before yesterday and I was inspired by the Instagram feeds. I posted a photo of an outfit I felt would have worked at Milan fashion week and brought in the colors of the season.
The next step was to find a model to put it on and shoot.
Chanel purse is DollhouseAra on Etsy . Outfit is Barbie Look Urban Jungle.
Many of you may have already figured out that I have started posting preliminary images on Instagram of upcoming outfits or behind the scene things. I am also sharing on Instagram stories. The stories will include some videos of the doll room and new diorama or display items. If you are on Instagram, come and join the fun. Follow me to see the stories.
—Rebecca
The Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention–Gala Dinner
After presentations were over this afternoon, there was one workshop put on by the talented member of Artist Creations Guiseppe de Bellis
Then it was time for the really big party…The Gala Dinner!!! Here are a few images from the dessert table.
The centerpiece doll
“Bolliwood Diva 2.0”
She was an originally designed by Marcelo Jacob, now redesigned by Lewis and made by Joana Costa “Squistish”
And the tables themselves incorporated many of the beautiful colors of India.
Rogier’s table gift. Wish I were at his table!!!
Gorgeous!!
There were beautiful auction items as well. Here are just a few….
Here is beautiful image Magia2000 shared on their instagram
Mattel done by Carlyle Nuera
So, Gala dinner is happening right now. We should have images of convention doll very soon. As I write this, Rogier is sending me videos of some major dancing going on…Bollywood style. LOVE. What a fantastic party!!
-Rebecca
The Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention–Day 2
The second day of festivities in Madrid began with presentations and an OOAK artist cocktail by Sebastian Atelier. Rogier took some great photos of these events!
Carlyle Nuera gave a presentation from Mattel. No photos were allowed at this event after the introduction. It looks like he was signing his fabulous sketches that people received in their registration bags before the presentation .
Ibrahim Ismail also gave a presentation on Bollywood cinema but sadly, I do not have any images of that. I’m sure it was fabulous.
Conventioneers were given option to attended the OOAK artist cocktail party given by Sebastian Atelier. There were some beautiful OOAK creations to look through and for a lucky few, purchase.
For those who attended the cocktail, there was a beautiful outfit given as a gift.
More info coming later and don’t forget…Gala dinner with presentation of convention doll!!!
-Rebecca
The Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention–Fashion Show
I may only speak for myself but I feel many would agree that the fashion show is always a fun part of any doll convention…or rather Barbie convention. I am always amazed at the skill of collectors and their ability to produce a doll design in real people scale. The attention to detail that many of these collectors go to is really intense. Here are some quick photos from this years Madrid convention.
And of course, each show has to have it’s own set of paparazzi…
Now, on to the show…
—Rebecca
The Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention -Registration
Hello fashion doll collectors! Rogier of Dutch Fashion Doll World ( yes name has changed but still same quality blog with same quality material) is reporting from the Madrid Fashion Doll Show Convention this weekend and I am helping him out by guest blogging for him. Always a pleasure to guest on your fantastic blog my friend.
Registration began this morning and already collectors are walking away with some really special things.
Carlyle Nuera, designer extraordinaire from Mattel, is in Madrid to help celebrate Barbie.
And conventioneers are getting some of his amazing sketches in their registration bags!! Lucky dogs!!!
We should have more from Rogier a little bit later….
Salesroom
So this will be my last guest blog for now. I want to thank Rebecca for sending me all her great pictures. And it was an honor to take over your blog this week. As a last topic we have salesroom pictures. The salesroom at the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention is probably the largest barbie salesroom in the world.
It’s Barbie heaven.
Also the lovely ladies from Lantis Kelly were selling here their ooak creations.
And Ninimomo had some amazing ooak creations for sale.
Dear friend have a good flight home and I can’t wait to see pictures of your new dolls here on your blog.
Sneaks at Convention
So what were the sneaks at convention.
In the sales room there were 2 new dolls on display. The first one is Madam La Vinia from the Harlem Theater Collection.
The doll has the new articulated Collector curvy body.
The other new doll on display in the salesroom was the new Silkstone Glam Gown.
She is the BFMC Exclusive from this year. On Instagram Designer Robert Best posted a sketch of this lady.
And the final sneak was given during the Mattel presentation. She is the new 50th Anniversary Francie.
Barbie™ Fan Club members have the opportunity to get her beginning 8/3/16 at 9am PT* for $50. No more than 4,000 of these dolls will be available for sale.
information about this doll from TheBarbieCollection.com:
This timeless teenager first captured America’s hearts in 1966 with a youthful, kicky style that embodied the hip looks of London’s Carnaby Street and the booming mod movement in the States. “She was where pop culture was heading,” designer Bill Greening says, “as reflected in the teenage fashion trends of the mid to late ’60s.”
Fifty years later, Francie® doll continues to delight collectors and win new fans because, as Greening explains, “She has a personality all her own and a style that can be sweet and girly or mod and wild.”
To mark her golden anniversary, Greening and his team have recreated Francie Fairchild’s crowning achievement from 1967 as Miss Teenage Beauty, a look that’s highly coveted by collectors. “It’s so hard to find a vintage sample, mint and complete,” Greening says. “The fashion feels very celebratory and appropriate to commemorate Francie’s 50th.”
Francie® doll is poised to take the pageant prize in her pink ruffled A-line skirt paired with a sleeveless lace top adorned with floral appliqués. She earns extra applause for her marvey accessories, including elbow-length gloves, pale-blue pumps, red beauty sash, and loving cup. Plus, she tops off her winning look with a tiara and signature flip hairdo — the perfect complement to the sweet expression on her face.
Please to be part of this anniversary tribute, Greening points out other distinctive features of the faithful reproduction. “This is the first time we’ve reproduced what collectors call the ‘straight leg’ Francie doll, which debuted in 1966 along with the bendable leg version. She looks really cute both in the box or removed, and her doll stand even has the vintage Francie logo.”
Great for play or display, 50th Anniversary Francie® Doll is a neato way to honor this treasured teen’s lasting appeal, and you’ll dig adding her to your collection — with just a click at our online shop beginning Wednesday, 8/3/16 at 9am PT!
Enjoy a blast from the past and watch these two vintage Francie commercials from our archives!
During the presentation there was a ooak color variation of this doll.
She was raffled under the conventioneers that attended the presentation. So one lucky collector went home with this beauty.
The Raffle Room
So Convention is over but I still have some things that I have to share. One of these things is the Raffle room.
And wow they had some great items this year. I would have had a hard time deside where to put my tickets in.
Here some pictures of the amazing items that you could win.
Convention Doll 2016
So here they are the official convention dolls from the Nation Barbie Doll Collectors Convention 2016.
The dolls were inspired by Jacky kennedy and the movie Valley of the Dolls.
The edition size of these dolls is a 1000 together.
The surprise donation for the silence auction from Robert Best turned out to be the original sketches of this years dolls. Are the lucky winner is getting them signed.
Congrataiolations Sebastiano !!!
Groovy Gallery Opening Reception
On Wednesday evening they had the first official convention event. It was the Groovy Gallery Opening reception where they had the silence auction.
And wow, there were so many great items this year in that auction.
During the event there was an artist live painting a barbie portrait.
And I’m very curious about the donation by Robert Best.
It was a card that said you have to bring it after next Saturday’s Dinner….
What could it be… a doll, sketch…. We will find out soon 😉
Here some pictures of the item in the silence auction.
During this event the live auction dolls were also on display.
I love this doll from my fellow blogger Tommy Courtney.
Her name is The Pink Queen.
And look at this lady made by Matt Sutton
Isn’t she just perfection !!!
And then the creation of Magia2000.
Her name is Silver Film Noir. and she is a dedication to the National Barbie Convention doll that the guys created 10 years ago.
I’m sure these dolls will raise some good $$$ for charity.
Artist Creations
The next show of the evening was the show of Artist Creations.
Alessandro and Giuseppe brought a diverse and colorful collection to Jacksonville.
Here is the beauty they created for the silence auction.
The conventioneers loved the collection and they sold out in no-time.
Rob’s Dolls and Friends Salesroom
This morning Rebecca send me an amazing amount of convention pictures from the last 2 days. So lets’s start with the Tuesday. This day was all about ooak parties. The evening started with the Rob’s Dolls and Friends Salesroom.
As you can see some of the best were selling their creations in this salesroom.
How gorgeous is this this Marie Antoinette inspired doll.
Here some more pictures of the amazing creations you could find in this salesroom.
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 