For the Vintage Barbie Collector…Let’s Play Barbie
I am not a vintage Barbie collector but I certainly admire those who are. You will not meet a more Barbie knowledgeable group than vintage Barbie collectors. Mattel announced at Barbiecon that they would be releasing a Barbie reproduction set that would give you a choice of three different hair colors of a vintage reproduction Barbie and you would get 4 vintage reproduction outfits with it. This set was a huge crowd favorite at the Mattel preview at convention and now it is finally available to order. This set was designed by the very talented and fellow collector..Mattel’s Bill Greening. The set retails for….ready for it….$175.00. I guess you have to look at the fact you are getting 4 outfits and the doll in vintage reproduced packaging. This price may put it out of many collectors price range but it sure does look like a fabulous set and a must have for any vintage reproduction collector. I am considering this set.
**Photos are property of Mattel, Inc. ***
Spring Summer
Fall Winter
If you are a collector of or just a lover of vintage Barbie….it’s time to play. For more information on this product and how to order please visit Barbiecollector.com at http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/lets-play-barbie-doll-w3505
The Royal Couple
Okay…raise your hand if you got up super early in the morning to watch the royal wedding last year. I know I did…or rather I set the television to record it. I think it is fair to say most everyone loves a good wedding. When you add in “Royal”, it adds a whole other dimension to the mix. There was the wild speculation about the gown. There were the royals. And…there were the hats. It was only a matter of time before they were made into the perfect Barbie and Ken right? I had no idea this was coming but should have given the popularity of the royal wedding. It is my understanding that this is a new face mold for Ken and It looks like a good resemblance to the real Prince William. The Duchess Kate doll is lovely but looks to be more of a “ Barbie as…” representation. The set is said to retail for $100 and is set to be released around their one year anniversary in April. Awwwww! How romantic.
*** Photo is property of Mattel, Inc.***
New Silkstone Sneak Peek…and a little more
Mattel released photos of a new 2012 BFMC Evening Gown Silkstone that will be available later this year. She is a beautiful AA in a gorgeous pink and white confection of a gown.
***Photos are property of Mattel, Inc. ***
And….. I have heard from multiple sources that this is a sketch of another Silkstone coming in the fall of this year.
It’s a redhead in yellow gown with grey accents and grey gloves!!! I believe this is indeed the doll that was sneaked in the picture with the drafting table that I blogged about in January( https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/01/20/an-inside-look-at-robert-bests-2012-bfmc-world/ ). AHHHHHH! I am in complete and total love. Putting my preorder in for these lovelies as I type this.
Possible inspiration for this gown??? –Dior Spring 2011 Couture.
** Photo from Style.com**
BFC Registration Clarification
Good Morning fashion doll fans. This is a morning that many Barbie collectors have waited for. Registration for the Barbie Fan Club (BFC) 2012 begins today at 9:00AM PST. There is an important piece if information that I neglected to share with my first post about this a few weeks back.
Current BFC members can reregister beginning at 9:00AM PST 2/08/12. If you are not a current member, all remaining spots will be open for registration on 2/15/12.
So, if you are a current BFC member today is the first day you can register. There is no question for me. I am registering at 9:00AM PST or very soon thereafter. Can’t wait to get the club doll this year.
*** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc. ***
And…as a gift you will receive one of these…
It’s a no brainer for me.
For more information about The Barbie Fan Club visit www.barbiecollector.com
Darya enjoys a winter concert.
Model: Darya Silkstone Barbie
Jewelry: Darya Silkstone Barbie
Gown and Coat: Winter Concert Barbie
Ken: James Bond 007 Ken
Set: Gold console table found on Ebay. Leopard shade lamp – Marann Roy furniture ( http://maryannroy.wordpress.com/) Ornate wall panel made by me. Flooring is wood parquet floor paper.
The first 2012 Silkstones are announced!
The people attending the BFC ( Barbie Fan Club ) event at this summers Barbie Convention in Ft. Lauderdale Florida were shown a preview of one of the 2012 Silkstones . The Silkstone designs, according to their designer Robert Best, are going back to the classic lines of the 1950’s. The line for 2012 is being called “Atelier” which defined means artist studio. I am looking forward to a return to the classics and the photos from these first two offerings have me very excited to see what the rest 2012 will hold for this fabulous line of dolls from Mattel.
BFMC Walking Suit Barbie
Release date: March 2012
Est. retail $ 75.00
** Photos are property of Mattel Inc. **
BFMC Party Dress Barbie
Release date: April 2012
Est. Retail $ 100.00
Photos of the next BFC club doll were also shown to the BFC members this past Tuesday. I can’t show photos of this lovely lady until I get an okay from Mattel but all I can say is that if you like Silkstones, gorgeous day suits, hats and Dior….RUN don’t walk to sign up for the 2012 BFC. The BFC will be open for new members sometime in February of 2012. Check the Barbie Collector site( www.barbiecollector.com ) for more information.
Showgirl Enjoys the Holidays
I warned you that more photos would come with Christmas trees. I love these little bottle brush Christmas trees and the colors of this particular one fit in so well with the wall panel.
Model: The Showgirl Silkstone ( glitter removed from eyelids )
Dress: Bellissima Couture ( http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/)
Shoes: Mattel
Console: Ebay find
Chair: Pullip Petite Luxury that has been repainted in gold
Cup/Saucer: Rement
Tiffany package: gift from a friend 
I was just pointed to another cool photo effects site called befunky ( www.befunky.com)
A big “Thank You!” to Mod-Girl on Flickr for sharing this site.
It allowed me to make this really cool charcoal drawing
And this stencil drawing…..
Supply and Demand…Barbie Economics 101
I worked in the stock market for many years before I left the private sector. I enjoyed many a frenetic day watching stocks take off during various IPO’s ( Initial public offerings ). It was always thrilling to gage the “when to buy” and “when to sell” in those exciting times. Some times you gambled and won…sometimes you didn’t ( those days were usually followed by a half a bottle of wine and a “better luck next time” pep talk to myself LOL!). Even though I have been “out of the business” for many years, I still like to watch the markets and enjoy seeing the rules of economics play out. We are seeing a prime example of the laws of economics playing out in the Collector Barbie world as we speak and there has been a lot of angst displayed on various doll boards. If you have not be following, here is a bit of background.
The TokiDoki Barbie was introduced in late September and many adult collectors were excited to see this product.
** Photo property of Mattel, Inc. **
She is cute with her leopard leggings, pink pageboy, silver glitter stilettos and…well…is that a dog? Anywhoo..she is cute. I was aware of the tattoos on this lovely lady and I thought they made her look hip and edgy certainly not trashy. Well apparently there are those who would disagree and feel that the tattoos degrade the wholesome value of Barbie. Some have enlisted the help of the press and gone on to imply that this pink haired tattooed Barbie could be a negative influence on their dear and impressionable children. Really??!! Maybe… if she was smoking a cigarette and downing a six-pack…but I fail to believe leopard leggings and tattoos on a Barbie could do more damage than the average night of American reality TV. Just my opinion but I digress.
Now here is where it gets interesting and those rules of economics come into play. We have a limited supply of these lovely tattooed ladies. Visibility, increases the demand for said product. Even though the press, so to speak, is negative it is still press and additional demand is realized. As the negative comments get bigger press coverage ( this story was carried on NBC and CBS)demand continues to increase until demand exceeds supply so that a shortage is established and price of product increases. We now have a sellers market and this Barbie that sold for $50.00 two days ago is currently selling on ebay for an average of $250.00…. A Barbie commodity.
So I guess my question is this. How did we get here? Did it really only take a few negative comments by a couple of puritan parents to set off a series of events that created a Barbie commodity? I realize you needed a slow news day and some very thirsty for content editors out there but still. Is it really that easy to create a “run on the bank” with collectibles these days? I know many collectors are very upset that these dolls are going for such an extreme price on ebay and some are blaming the sellers. I hate to point it out but there wouldn’t be inflated prices unless there were buyers out there paying those inflated prices. It all comes back to supply and demand and …. I guess… a few parents who simply draw the line at tattoos and leopard leggings.
Barbie Basics 2.5
They can move! The 2.5 Barbie Basics are articulated. I know that many people have been waiting for these beauties. I include myself in that group. I am really enjoying the additional pose options with these ladies and I have yet to redress them. I particularly like the skinny jeans on the blond model…cute, cute, cute.
Models: Barbie Basics 2.5 (model #4, 8 and 14) http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/browse/term/1195
Grace Kelly Silkstone is Here!!
Grace Kelly The Bride has arrived. I was ready and waiting for this lady to hit the Barbie Collector shop. I can’t remember when I have waited with such delight for a doll to arrive…well…okay so I can remember…when my convention boxes arrived with Matt Sutton OOAK’s ..but that’s not the point. The point is I was very excited to receive this new Grace Kelly Silkstone. She does not disappoint. She is exquisite!! I can’t believe the attention to detail on this lady. I love, love, love the plain gold band on her ring finger and the little prayer book.
And this is just with my point and shoot! Studio shots coming soon…….
Dressmaker Details introduces “Summer Magic” at NBDCC!
Steven Frasier will introduce an exclusive NBDCC outfit this year and it’s a beauty!! A teaser photo was released a couple of weeks ago and today he released the full photo. Oh my word!!! I just love this powder blue little beauty. I will be looking for his room as soon as he is open for business on Monday for room sales. Sooooo excited about this one.
“Summer Magic is a limited edition of 300 pieces. The boxed fashion features a strapless party dress of pleated tulle with beading and ribbon details. Also included are matching shoes and purse, golden floral jewelry and a faux fur capelet for chilly summer nights. Its the perfect outfit to wear to Ken doll’s 50th birthday party.”
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 