“Begin at the Beginning…”
“..and go on till you come to the end: then stop.” — King of Hearts Alice in Wonderland.
Since I mentioned “Alice Blue” and how it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, I had to do a shoot inspired by Mr. Carroll’s classic work of fiction.
Model: Sweet in Switzerland Poppy Parker
Dress : BFMC™ Accessory Pack
Tea set: Re-ment Princess Tea set
“What is the use of a book, without pictures or conversations?”
— Alice Alice in Wonderland
“We are all mad here.” –Cheshire Cat Alice in Wonderland
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….
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
Mermaid Gown Silkstone…
…is now available at BarbieCollector.com. She has been available at dealers for about a month now but finally BFC members can collect on that quarterly reward and order this baby at a discount.
A new promo photo showed up on the Barbie Collector sight as well. I am always amazed by Lars Auvinen’s work. He is the model and set builder for the BFMC ( Barbie Fashion Model Collection or in another word…Silkstones) promotional photos. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak and chatting personally with him at the last National Barbie Convention. He puts 100% into his craft and it never fails to inspire me. The detail he goes into on these sets just boggles the mind. My dream would be to sit in the corner and just watch while he creates. My other dream is to sit in the corner and watch the photographer , Paul Jordan, as he photographs the set.
(Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.)
(Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.)
If you want to know more about her story, visit www.Barbiecollector.com
Platinum Violette
Okay…this one is for the Silkstone lovers. I could not let this diorama go without putting one of my favorite Silkstones within its shabby chic yumminess. Robert Best’s “Violette”, in my opinion, is one of the most feminine doll designs of his career at Mattel. She embodies gentility and spring to me. Perhaps it’s the lilac print on her gown, the large flowing design or the flowers in her hair…I don’t know…but put it all together and I feel the pull of springtime. It’s just so girly! She is also a platinum edition Silkstone which means she is not photographed often.
I have to give credit to my daughter Megan for this one. She took one look at the diorama I was working on and said “ Mom, you should put the doll in the purple gown in this one”. She was right!
What the set up looks like when I have to pull the big lights out. It’s a much more involved shoot…which is why you may see this diorama for a while. 
BFMC Cocktail Dress
Finally photos have been released to retailers so I can share them here. Remember back in August, I obsessed about the Mattel Atelier Video and posted a still from the video that I and pretty much everyone else felt was sure to be one of the releases for 2013. https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/08/23/the-bfmc-2013-atelier-collection-a-peak-into-next-year/
And….here she is….a beautiful platinum blonde with blue eyes. Retailers are showing price at approximately $90.00 and delivery around April of 2013. Take this information with a grain of salt folks. Mattel may up and decide this one will be the Barbie Fan Club membership doll and therefor only available to BFC members. She is feeling like a club doll to me but I may be wrong. We will know more when Mattel announces information about the 2013 Barbie Fan Club in February.
**Photos used in image below are property of Mattel, Inc.**
I also reported back in September that Robert Best had stated a “platinum” Silkstone was in the works for 2013 (https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/09/21/new-silkstone-info-for-2013/). And…here she is. It would appear he meant platinum HAIRED not EDITION. Thanks for the word play Robert ! I think he just wanted to see us all frothing at the mouth at the idea of a platinum edition( no more than 1,000 produced) Silkstone. To be completely honest, I am thrilled there won’t be a platinum edition Silkstone. It means I don’t have to get into the mud pit to get one…fun as it would have been { Rebecca’s arched eyebrow is raised with extreme sarcasm}. I could not be happier with this platinum haired lovely. She is on my “must buy” list.
And since I think this might be the 2013 BFC doll, and last year we received a silkstone mannequin with our membership
…I think it would be perfect if we could receive a set of these chairs with our BFC membership….
Or a chair like this in 1/6 scale….
A girl can dream….a girl can dream.
Luncheon Ensemble Silkstone Meets Yankee Doodle
Finally some photos are showing up on dealers sites so I believe I can share them here. This 2013 Silkstone was sneaked back in September to the Barbie Fan Club ( BFC )https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/09/21/new-silkstone-info-for-2013/. She is one of the Silkies whose drawings can be seen in the Atelier video by Mattel . I was lucky enough to see it at this summer’s National Barbie Convention and I posted a link to it in the blog back in August https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/08/21/behind-the-scenes-of-the-bfmc-atelier-collection/
** Photo is property of Mattel, Inc.**
Anywhoo…what do I think? I love pink. I love redheads. You would figure a slam dunk right? Hold on to that basketball folks. I love the doll. The outfit is leaving me kind of …”meh”. I think it’s the turban. I just can’t get past the big rose on it. Unlike Yankee Doodle ..you can’t just stick a feather/rose on it and call it macaroni/fashion. I am also not so sure about the print. I would love to see the hairstyle of this silkie beneath the turban. LOVE the little curls on her ears. I am dying to see if she has an updo underneath that “wrongly rose-adorned” turban. Also, putting a redhead in pink??…. always a risky venture. Change this doll’s ensemble to a green, blue or teal…then we are talking! Am I buying this doll? In a heartbeat. At this point and without seeing her in real life, this doll will be redressed faster than you can say “Silkstone”. The turban will be the first to go. I reserve the right to completely change my mind once I have seen her and have her in hand LOL! Have I hedged all my bets sufficiently? I think so.
“Becca Berry went to dealer just to buy a Silkie, ripped the turban off her head and called her fashion beauty”
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 and a Matisse….Take Two
Nobody expects to win the lottery twice but amazingly enough some people have. I was lucky enough to be able to add another pink Matisse to my collection a few weeks back and it is fabulous! I knew that Ms. Evening Gown was going to look stellar in it so had to wait for her to arrive to photograph. On a side note, if you ever want to spend some time looking at the most exquisite Barbie fashions, take a moment to look at the collection of sold items on Brenda’s ( Matisse) Etsy site. http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions/sold?ref=shopinfo_sales_leftnav
DROOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL 
Model: Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie
Dress, wrap and hat: Matisse ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions )
Gloves: Dressmaker Details
Jewelry, shoes and clutch purse: Mattel
Diorama: See previous blog post https://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2012/09/07/evening-gown-and-a-matisse/
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.
Here She Is! Mattel Releases Photos of New Silkstone Barbie
Mattel has finally released promotional photos for the final Silkstone offering of 2012. She is indeed the yellow gowned lady whose sketch was floated around the doll boards about a month ago. She doesn’t have a name or price yet….hold on to your pocketbooks folks….I suspect she will be pricey. They are saying she will be available in the fall of 2012. This one is a complete no brainer for me. A redhead in yellow?! I die. Fall can’t get here soon enough!
**edit** Just heard from my dealer that her name is “Gala Gown” and price is $150.00. To preorder, feel free to visit Windy City Dolls http://www.windycitydolls.com/bfmcgalagown.htm
**note** photo is property of Mattel Inc.
If you are a Barbie Fan Club Member, you can see more photos under their “sneak peak” folder in the forums.
Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie
People are running not walking to get their hands on this beauty and I can’t say as I blame them. She is a stunner! Classic Silkstone design and Robert Best’s 1950’s inspired couture have combined for a home run of a collector doll. At the time of this blog post, she is already sold out at Barbie Collector and is flying off the shelves at retailers. If you want this lady, I would suggest sooner rather than later. She won’t last long.
Her hair is beautifully styled and crisp. The hat takes some finessing to get it to sit correctly but not too bad. I did end up pinning mine onto the head to get it to sit the way I wanted. I love the little ornate gloves on this lady. Those were an unexpected surprise. This lady will be a model for many re-dressings for sure. Love the dramatic face paint on her! Can’t wait to try this trim little suit on some of my Fashion Royalty ladies too.
Model: Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie
Edition size: no more than 6600 worldwide
Gold label
What’s on Deck ?
No I did not fall into a hole. Well I kind of did and it was called the “Suessical” hole. I was stage manager for my daughter’s school musical so I have been busy coming up with last minute costume additions and teaching tech cues to a bunch of sixth graders…FUN. The shows went off without a hitch and kids and families had a great time. Finally had some time with my beloved Canon today and here is a sneak peak of what is coming to the fashion studio.
Barbie Fan Club 2012 Registration Begins 2/8
We just finished the registration for Integrity Toy’s WClub so now it is Mattel’s turn. The Barbie Fan Club has many perks and another active forum of collectors to participate in but…and you know the drill by now…you have to be a member. One of the lovely things about the BFC is that there is no time limit to sign up. There is , however, a membership limit. Their literature states that they will sell 7500 memberships and that is all. The club doll will also be limited to a specific number and the club doll has sold out the last couple of years. This year, the BFC has a wonderful lineup of club exclusive dolls. The highlight for me is the club doll itself “Afternoon Suit” Barbie. She is a Silkstone and her suit looks to have been inspired by Dior. If you are at all interested in the BFC, I would recommend joining early. My prediction is that this lady will sell out.
** photos are property of Mattel Inc. **
Inspiration? Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2009
Other dolls in the works for the club are: “Rush of Gold ” and “Holiday Hostess”
Rush of gold is listed as a platinum doll ( get your valium ready!)
Whoever inspired the club doll, my hat is off to them. LOVE this lady!!! Will I be buying? Yep! As fast as my little keys can hit the keyboard. Not sure about the doll with her pageboy and bangs hairstyle. In my experience, this hairstyle on the Silkies rarely comes out as nice as the promo photos but I will be more than happy to be wrong on this. She has the look of Anna Wintour don’t you think? Mattel will be releasing additional information on 02/01/2012. For information now , feel free to go to the Barbie Collector sight or just click on the picture bellow.
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.
Rayna–Jet Set Diva
Yes…I know…her bump gives her a lightly cone head appearance. I like it though. Normally I don’t go for the “Snooky” bump in hairstyles but sometimes it works. I can’t say that “the bump” will stay because I have seen some stellar hair restyles of this lady ( take a look a Shuga Shug’s blog in my blogroll for pics ) and I may have to “de-bump” in the future. For now, it stays and I think she has such a haughty high fashion look as is. I love that aloof look. It’s as if she is saying “I will allow you to take my picture now”. I must say, I did not care for the original clothing she came in. I go for more of the classic clothing but I have to say the original outfit’s colors were fun and it was well made. I like her original boots…just not on her LOL! Anywhoo…it was commented recently that it would be nice to see the before pictures and then the restyle…excellent notion. Here is Ms. Rayna as she came originally.
**Picture is property of Integrity Toys**
And here is how I see her………….
Model: Fashion Royalty Rayna from Jet Set Convention Collection
Dress and coat: Bellissima Couture (http://bellissimacouturefashions.wordpress.com/)
Shoes: have no earthy idea honestly…think they are Randall Craig.
Earrings and pin: Mattel BFMC
Summer Magic
I think Steven Frasier is amazing. I believe I have almost every couture outfit Dressmaker Details has ever produced. I love his aesthetic and the fact that he fits his clothing to fit both the more voluptuous Fashion Royalty and the slimmer Barbie Silkstone form. I also appreciate the details he puts into his product. If you are buying a couture outfit, you will get the jewelry, purse,gloves, nylons and shoes to go with it. He typically designs a special couture outfit for the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention each year. It is something I look forward to every convention. This year, his design was called “Summer Magic” and indeed it is. I absolutely adore this creation…so frothy and feminine. It also fits in with my collection perfectly. It was very hard to find a model to wear this lovely creation. There were simply too many choices. I wanted a model who would showcase the femininity of this gown and really enhance the beautiful soft blue of it’s fabric. I finally settled on High Tea and Savories because I just love the haughty high fashion look of this lady. Her soft makeup palette makes her a favorite of mine when I have an uber feminine gown. I also felt the beautiful blue of her eyes would be complimented by the gorgeous color of this gown.
The details of this gown are worth the purchase alone. The dress has little sequins and beads sewn into the soft tulle. The bracelet is phenomenal. I had trouble closing it around my models wrist so I added a small round silver link and it works perfectly now. If you don’t already use these, a pair of bullnose curved pliers are a must when it comes to putting jewelry on these diminutive divas.
Model: High Tea and Savories Silkstone Barbie
Outfit: Dressmaker Details “Summer Magic” ( http://www.masterstrokecanada.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MC&Category_Code=DRE
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!!!
Grace Kelly Silkstone–Studio Shots Part II
Okay..so I wanted to use my trifold mirror in the worst way so I used that for the first set of photos. Then I used my favorite graduated black to white background because I thought It would look good with the white gown. Hope you guys think so too. I really love how these shots turned out! No major photoshopping folks…she really is this beautiful.
Grace Kelly Silkstone–Studio Shots Part I
Just spent the last two days taking and processing the photos of Grace Kelly Silkstone “The Bride”. I thought I would go ahead and post the first batch. I have been saving this tri fold mirror for a special shoot. It always gave the feeling of a cathedral window. I felt it worked perfectly here with Ms. Grace in her beautiful wedding gown. Here face screening is some of the best I have seen on a Barbie bar none. This lady and her gown love the camera and I hope you all enjoy the photos a much as I enjoyed taking them.
Coming tomorrow……
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi–Let’s Polka
I adore polka dots. There is just something about the pattern that makes me smile. Can you really be in a bad mood wearing polka dots? Here is another scrumptious design by James Bogue just in time for Easter.
Model: Lady of the Manor Silkstone Barbie
Dress, Coat, Hat and envelope purse: Bogue’s Vogues http://www.etsy.com/shop/boguesvogues
Shoes and gloves: Mattel
Spring has arrived at The Fashion Doll Studio!
It was sunny in the suburbs of Seattle yesterday so that meant time in the studio. I received some absolutely stunning fashions from James Bogue of Bogue’s Vogues this past week and I am having fun photographing them. I will be doing a segment on my blog called “Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi!” and it will pop up on random Fridays. My first one will be this Friday and here is a taste of what you will see….
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 