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.
(source Barbiecollector.com)
(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.
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
And just in case you needed even more drama in these photos….
BFMC 2013 Mermaid Gown BARBIE®
Oh my word people!! Would you get a load of what the BFMC and Robert Best has in store for us this May!!!
“In 2013, the Barbie® Fashion Model Collection will continue with the theme of couture fashion introduced in 2012. The designs capture the style, detail and beauty of the great fashion houses of Europe. Ladylike, enchanting, yet over-the-top glamorous, this pale pink gown makes a striking statement with its mermaid silhouette. A sprinkling of pink, iridescent and clear sequins and beads embellish the strapless gown. Accessories include a tulle stole and elegant gloves – creating a flawless evening look..”
Available at dealers for preorder. She is ranging from $145 to $150 depending on the dealer and is set for a May delivery.
**Photos are courtesy of Mattel, Inc.**
{THUD} Would someone revive Rebecca….she just fainted……
I DIE!!!!!!!!!!
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi…In Celebration of Fall
It has been a while since I did a Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi so I thought I would pull this one out. I keep some photos that I take in reserve for special projects. I took this photo a while ago and it was included in the Inside the Fashion Doll Studio Daily Planner for 2013 that I sold at Barbie Convention this year. Since we are enjoying the fabulous days and colors of the Autumn season, I thought I would share this fall inspired set of photos. Hope you enjoy!
Model: Stunning in the Spotlight Silkstone Barbie
Hat and gown: Bogue’s Vogues (http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues)
Gala Gown…The Studio Shots
Gala Gown Silkstone Barbie: No more than 6500 worldwide. She retails for a whopping $150.00….and I paid it with gladness in my heart because I LOVE THIS DOLL.
The detail on the gown ( as you will see in the detail shots) are fabulous. The gown is a soft butter yellow and is so frothy every ‘girly’ tendency you have in your body will stand up and cheer. Her hair is a deep red like the platinum ‘Joyeux’ or ‘The Siren’. Her skin tone is pale like CC Debut. The outfit is completed with a pair of silver star rhinestone studded drop earrings , grey chiffon ruched gloves and soft grey strappy slingbacks. There is a hint of grey tulle under the butter yellow gown so it is full and flowing. The fabric on the gown is incredibly soft…LOVE!
Mr Best ……. 
The hair is set but not crusty clumped and caked. This is good because the hair is soft…the bad part is the hair can be messed up easily so take care with it.
Detail
And….Rebecca having fun with her macro lens AGAIN.
And some fun with photoshop and Mattel’s promo shot. I think she is even better than Mattel’s promo shot and that just doesn’t happen that often. Please don’t reproduce this photo as It’s Mattel’s image on another background.
Gala Gown is Here!!!
It feels like I have been waiting for this lady for a year…it has been since February when sketches started to circulate within the collector crowd of a redhead in a divine yellow ball gown. Now she is “in da house!” and I could not be happier. She is better than the promo shots in my opinion folks. She feels like a return to the grand ball gowns of “In the Pink” and “Provençale”
Run don’t walk for this one! 
Here is a view inside the reveal. Claudia of Pink Ponytail always wraps your purchase so you feel like you are receiving a birthday present….LOVE IT and her. (www.pinkponytail.com)
Gasp!!
A word of caution when deboxing this lady….the hairstyle is set but moves easily ( doesn’t have hard caked on gel with this one) so be very, very careful removing the hairnet. I ended up carefully cutting the hair net off so as not to disturb the coiffure. She came out perfectly! And these are all taken with my quick point and shoot. Can’t wait to get her into the studio.
Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie®
I have been busy the past few days populating my Pinterest “Inside The Fashion Doll Studio” board with photos from the archives and I realized…I don’t usually photograph my dolls in what they came dressed in originally. I guess I always figured Mattel and Integrity photographers do such a beautiful job with their promo photos that I didn’t need to redo it. That whole philosophy changed this year with Robert Best’s Atelier Silkstone collection. I believe I have photographed each one this year in the outfit she came in…then went on to redress. I guess you could say I am just thrilled with the Silkie offerings this year. Evening Gown is the next one to land in front of my camera. Designed by Robert Best, she became available to collectors on 06/14/12. You can find her at your local dealer or at www.barbiecollector.com
The BFMC 2013 Atelier Collection: A peek into next year?
Okay…so you all know I am a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to Silkstone Barbies right? I was so excited when I learned that Robert Best was continuing the design aesthetics of the 1950’s and early 60’s for his 2013 BFMC collection. This was the “heyday” of the haute couture design houses and for many epitomized glamour. I absolutely adore that time in fashion so it stands to reason I am anxious to hear about and see sneaks with what we can expect next year. As I stated in my previous post, I believe we received a very solid sneak of one doll. It would appear that she will be blond, possibly platinum blond, with a back ponytail hairstyle. I can’t tell if she has bangs or not. To me, it kind of looks like “Movie Mixer” with black bows but I could be completely off on that one so don’t hold me to it. It would also appear that she has a cream boat necked cocktail gown with black tulle overlay and accent lace at the bottom. There is black bow detail at the bust and waist. It also looks like she is wearing white gloves.There was a most deliberate shot in the video of him working on this sketch and dipping his brush in water and releasing a light blue paint. There has to be some blue in this lady somewhere I am thinking ( blue bows?? blue accent somewhere). It looks like she will have bows on her black shoes as well…how cute!. Now….before I get going full force on my speculation train here folks…please realize these are all guesses. I have no information from Mattel save the video that we all can see so …take everything I say with a grain of salt. Disclaimer ended. We do know however, that Mr. Best’s designs for next year with have a flavor of Spring. He shared that at convention. So I am thinking lighter colors and softer fabrics.
** pictures are from video from Mattel therefore owned by Mattel. Please don’t copy or reproduce**
The other shot from the video that was intriguing me yesterday is this one…yes, I know it’s blurry but it was the best I could do.
There was another scene right before this one that showed him removing a piece of fabric from a sketch of a doll in a dark colored ( blue maybe?) suit with hat. The sketch said specifically Atelier part II so I am thinking we may see another day suit with a hat. Yippee!! I will never be upset about more suits with hats. It also looks like there is a sketch with a redhead in a soft palette suit with pink/peachy turban style hat. Oh My Word!! My hat fetish just started doing the rhumba. There is also a sketch to the left there of what appears to be an evening gown with feathered type headpiece…kind of Gloria Swansonish. Again, I have no idea if any of these sketches will be produced but they are far enough along to have detail sketches and fabric swatches. I smell….production.
NBDCC 2012 ….The BFMC Team
If you collect Barbie, you are no stranger to The BFMC. It stands for Barbie Fashion Model Collection. It basically means “Silkstone Barbie” . Robert Best is the designer for this line of dolls for Mattel and he has a talented crew of colleagues that are responsible for the photography, styling, set design and construction and video production of the glamourous photos and videos that promote and advertise these beautiful dolls. If you are a collector of Silkstone Barbies, you have seen and drooled ( yes drooled people…I have done it and am not afraid to admit it) over the photos of these lovely ladies. This year at convention, Mattel hosted a pullout session where Paul Jordan ( Photographer), Mary Jordan ( Stylist), Lars Auvinen ( Set Designer and Builder), and Zlatan Zukanovic ( Video Editor ) came to share their experiences working with this team. The session was very informative and what impressed me as an observer was the truly cohesive and respectful support and encouragement that they projected. We, as consumers, enjoy the product that they work on. I knew that. As a team, it would appear that they genuinely enjoy working with one another and each has an important and respected part to play in this world we call the BFMC. They were very free with their experiences and advice and even took the time to speak with a few of us who stayed after the session to ask questions.
from left to right Lars Auvinen, Zlaten Zukanovic, Paul Jordan, Mary Jordan, Robert Best
While most people wanted photos with the celebrated designer of the BFMC Barbie line…{cough, cough Deanna and and Jim cough, cough},
I wanted my photo with the photographer and stylist 
They were nice enough to share some tips and I look forward to using them Inside The Fashion Doll Studio.
I think one of the people who I most wanted to hear from in this session was Mr. Auvinen. Much of his work is what is showcased in the fabulous behind the scenes videos( Thank you Mr. Zukanovic!!!!) that Mattel has given us over the past couple of years. Many of us marveled over the 1/6 scale carriage that was displayed in the William and Catherine photos and video. Mr. Auvinen shared his thought process and the research he goes in to when coming up with a sets for the BFMC photos. The historian in me rejoiced at the research and thought he puts in to each and every set. The photographer in me wanted to give him a big hug for his attention to detail and scale. He really researches and enjoys what he does people. It was a pleasure to get a look inside his world for just a moment as he explained the thought process behind the Atelier set.
Time to put on your Party Dress…..
I had a slight hiccup with this lady. She came to me with some blue marks on her legs and I thought she would be going back to Mattel for an exchange. Turns out the marks rubbed right off with water so no problem. Once the marks were dealt with, I decided to shoot her in front of one of the fantastic acrylic display screens my friend Sheree makes. I use these in my doll displays and they work nicely in photos as well. Info on where to purchase is below. I love the hair on this lady and the cute little lace dress with aqua shrug is adorable. So refined and girly with the gold lace. Here face makeup is quite dramatic as you will see with the close-up but I like it. I am still going over redress possibilities but those photos will be for another day. Just a side note, I did have to mess with her hair just a bit to get the curls to lie just right. I ended up putting a pin in one of them to get it to lie properly. On with current photos….
Model: Party Dress Silkstone Barbie
Set: Acrylic backdrop by Sheree http://www.ebay.com/sch/sh7ly7ma7/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686. Chandelier is a locker chandelier by Locker Lookz. You can find them on Amazon.
Elizabeth Taylor Silkstone photos released!
I wrote about the Elizabeth Taylor celebrity Silkstone a couple of weeks ago and now we hear there will be not one but two Silkstone releases of Liz. I was hoping for a “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” inspired set with the little slip and….I got my wish!!! While the dress is not exactly a reproduction, it’s close enough and I will take it. It will be available in a giftset called White Diamonds. It will retail for around $150.00 and will be available in the fall.
** Photos are property of Mattel Inc.**
The second Elizabeth Taylor offering is stunning!! It features Ms. Taylor in a gorgeous black gown inspired , I believe, by the movie Suddenly, Last Summer. It’s called “Violet Eyes” and will retail for around $130.00 . It will be available in the fall.
Love them both!!
It’s time for another Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi!
I feel like I have been neglecting my Silkstones for the past few months so it was time to bring em back and do it right. I joke with James Bogue all the time about the fact that I am such a “pinkophile” when it comes to his creations. If it’s in pink…I’m liking it. It came as a complete shock that I was drawn to a powder blue dress he had on his Etsy site and once I received it…I was in LOVE. I had the perfect lady to model it too. I had finally worked up the courage to cut and restyle a Preferably Pink Silkstone Barbie into the hairstyle I feel she should have originally came with…a shorter bob cut. I love it on her and I hope you do to.
Model: Restyled Preferably Pink Silkstone Barbie
Dress and Hat: Bogue’s Vogues ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues)
Shoes: Mattel
And because I am headed into dance recital season and things are about to get wayyyy stressful, I threw this in for fun. This needs to be my mantra for the next 4 weeks…should I take up yoga????
2012 Barbie Sneak Peek’s from NBDCC
Well…I was apparently incorrectly under the impression that this information was not supposed to be shared outside of the Barbie Fan Club(BFC) but since everyone else is sharing it and posting photos outside of the BFC, I might as well join the club 
The BFC hosted an event at NBDCC this year where they showed some things that are coming up in 2012. First and foremost, the BFMC is going back to its roots with classic styling. They had one of the silkies on display and I think she is gorgeous!!
a little blurry but thought I would include it….
And Mr. Best with his beautiful creation.
Next up was Bill Greening with next years vintage reproduction offerings
It is my understanding that you can have your pick of blond, brunette or redhead and you will receive all four reproduction outfits with the doll. One for each season…Spring( Garden Party), Summer ( Resort Set), Fall( Dinner At Eight) and Winter(Winter Holiday). Eeeeeek! Too much loveliness!!
Lastly, they showed us what is in store for the final Barbie Basics line. It is Barbie Basics 3.0 and they will be in swimsuits.
I believe these are the accessory packs that will be available with this line…adorable!
I can’t wait for 2012!!!
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi–Mellow Yellow
I am pulling from the archives here to satisfy a Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi. I have had these photos posted on my Flickr account for a while but have not posted them on my blog. I just love High Tea and Savories in this gown. I think the blue flowers really bring out the blue in her eyes much better than her original brown dress does. I love this design of James Bogue in particular and I have a number of versions in different colors.
Model: High Tea and Savories Silkstone Barbie
Dress: Bogue’s Vogues ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues )
Will be working on new photos soon….as soon as ballet recital season is done 
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Verushka Restyled!
I just could not get inspired by Verushka’s long hair so I decided to put it up and see what happened. I LOVE it!
Model: Silkstone BFMC Verushka
White Suit: Fashion Royalty Monogram Incandescent
Black hat: Bogue’s Vogues
Jewelry: Fashion Royalty Vibrant Dimension
Shoes: Fashion Royalty Going Public
Purse: Fashion Royalty Squared Metropolitan
Gloves: Silkstone BFMC Verushka
And because I LOOOOOOVE my Macro lens……
The Gang’s All Here
The Russian Silkstone gang that is. Well…not all of them. Darya will be here sometime in late summer but I just couldn’t wait to do a group shot. I received Verushka today and I was so enthused I just had to get the gang into the studio. First of all, let me just say it took a little while to warm up to Verushka. That hat! I guess I am just not the floppy sides down Elmer Fudd hat kind of girl. I was going to just take the thing off except I had heard stories that she is sparsely rooted under the hat. I decided to just tie the floppy sides up ( like any good hunting hat and much more like the Elmer Fudd we know and love) and I have to say I like it WAY better. I love the platinum blond with the black on this lady. Very dramatic and that is just what I was looking for with this line.
After seeing many amazing photos that people have taken of Ekaterina with her hat off, I decided to remove her hat and reposition it. LOVE it now. I had thought I might replace the hat with a fur Dimitha hat but for now…she will keep her original hat. Finally, I am so excited to be using these amazing Russian stacking dolls I found at a doll show recently. I was encouraged to purchase this particular set by a dear Barbie friend ( cough, cough Silkyfever, cough, cough) and I am so glad I listened to her.
Nicolai is adorable!
And last but not least….little Mila.
You can bet he’s only doing it for some doll……
One of my favorite things to do on a rainy evening during the winter is plug in a good musical. Recently, I had the pleasure of watching Guys and Dolls with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. It touched off some ideas and since I had a new Bogue’s Vogues to share, I had some fun. I can’t add the song to my playlist because it is not available with them but if you know the song “Guys and Dolls” from the musical Guys and Dolls, hum it in your head. It is the song that inspired this series of photos.
Model: Parisienne Pretty Silkstone Barbie
Dress , feather hat and purse : Bogue’s Vogues http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues
Fur: Dimitha
Sunglasses: Fashion Royalty
Grace Kelly Silkstone Bride Barbie photos revealed.
Mattel has shared the first photos of the new Grace Kelly Silkstone bride Barbie. She has a new face mold. Not the same vintage inspired face mold of the BFMC but an entirely new one. In my opinion, she is stunning. I hope that the actual production doll is just like the promo photos. Her price will be steep. Right now it appears she will retail for around $180.00 and should be out this summer. She was designed by Robert Best and if the photos are anything to go by, the detail is amazing. Can’t wait! Must start saving now.
All photos are property of Mattel, Inc.
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi!
Many of you know I am a huge fan of James Bogue and his work. He has a store on Etsy where he sells his exquisite creations http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues. I completely adore the styling and workmanship that goes into his designs. His creations never fail to inspire some of my favorite photos and this recent shoot was no exception. I received an especially frothy and pinkalicious ( yes it’s a word! LOL!) dress that I could not wait to photograph. Miss High Tea and Savories Silkstone had the pleasure of modeling the dress for the shoot.
Vendredi in French means Friday and I thought it sounded better than Bogue’s Vogues Friday 
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 