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.
Soda Shop Barbie
Bill Greening has given the BFC his next installment in the Willows, WI line that is continuing to pay homage to Midwest Americana nostalgia. This one is only available to BFC members, and a nice perk of membership this year in my opinion. How can you not find this one adorable?!! That face!! Awwwww….makes me want to pull up an upholstered chrome stool and slurp down a milkshake. Nostalgia isn’t cheap though folks…she comes with a hefty price tag of $75. You do get some adorable little extras though. And, it’s pink and there is a poodle involved…enough said, I’m buyin’. Excellent work Mr. Greening!! One question though, where are the saddle shoes?! Guess they really wouldn’t have gone with the look.
Soda Shop Barbie® Doll ( BFC Exclusive)
Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 2/10/2016
Retail: $75.00
And…what about that set!!! Me likes.
-Rebecca
Homecoming and The Wizard of OZ
The title sounds like an interesting Indie movie doesn’t it? Mattel finally released photos for two new offerings coming soon to Barbiecollector. First up is the 2nd edition to Bill Greening’s popular Willows, WI. collection….a frothy homecoming queen.
Homecoming Queen™ Barbie® Doll
Designed by: Bill Greening
Release Date: 7/8/2015
Product Code: CJF57
No more than 5500 units produced worldwide.
Retail: $75.00
BFC exclusive! This means you have to be in the BFC to get one. You can join the BFC here.
She is cute! Love the Silkie face on this collection as well. Beautifully done Mr. Greening.
Next up is the annual installment of Mattel’s Wizard of Oz obsession. I never thought of WOZ dolls as “cash cows” but apparently they are. If you ever missed out on these no worries, just wait until next year’s installment. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Wizard of OZ….just not THIS much. That being said, this one I would put in the higher end as far as concept and design. She is very nice.
THE WIZARD OF OZ™ Fantasy Glamour GLINDA™ Doll
Release Date: 6/11/2015
Product Code: CJF31
No more than 5500 units produced worldwide.
Retail: Wait for it….$100.00
You can buy her now but she won’t ship until 8/6/2015. This one is a direct exclusive which means she is only available through www.barbiecollector.com
She is pretty…just don’t know if she is $100 pretty. If I collected fantasy dolls…I might be considering this one.
Cherry Pie Picnic
Bill Greening and Mattel have given the collecting community a fabulous start to a new series of dolls. The series will be called “Willows, WI”. It is a tribute to classic Americana and you can’t get more American than Apple or Cherry pie. This one may be worth it for the little picnic basket alone…adorable!
Cherry Pie Picnic™ Barbie® Doll
Designed by: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/1/2015
Product Code: CGT29
No more than 4700 units produced worldwide.
She is a Barbiecollector direct exclusive so only available there. She retails for $75.00. Kind of pricey for vinyl. She is cute though.
Photos in this post courtesy of BarbieCollector.com
Barbie Fan Club Membership Renewal Starts Today
If you were a member last year, you can renew your membership starting today 1/7/2015. If you want to sign up as a first time member, you will need to wait until 1/14/2015. The BFC has sold out for the last couple years but it has taken a while to do it so don’t know if you need to rush for this one. It looks like there will not be an “official” club doll this year. There are, however, a number of club exclusives that make it worth my interest.
Here are some of the fun perks of the club this year.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Adorable redheaded St Paddy’s day doll!! I will be adding this one to the collection.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
This may be another platinum offering like the previous black and white collection offerings but don’t quote me on it. If this will be a platinum offering, I predict this one will go fast like the others. I may actually enter the shark tank for this one 
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Aaaaahhhhh! Do my eyes deceive me??!! A pink Silkstone offering for 2015?!!! Ummm…no brainer…I’m in. Please oh please don’t make this a platinum offering. If it is, I would not only enter the shark tank…I would bring a honkin’ harpoon with me. Just sayin’ it up front people.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
This would be the adorable preview we saw at convention this year I believe. I will be adding this one to the collection too. I mean come on…the picnic basket alone is worth it.
source: www.Barbiecollector.com
Added to these exclusive goodies you also get:
-Up to $80 in BarbieCollector.com Online Shop rewards – $20 per calendar quarter*
-Quarterly “Designer Videos,” sneak peeks at upcoming releases, downloadable goodies, and access to the exclusive Barbie™ Bulletin Board
-First access to audio interviews, collector spotlights, Fun Facts, and looks “behind the glam” with the passionate people on the Barbie® Collector team
If you are a current member and want to renew, you can click on any of the official Mattel photos above and it should take you to the membership renewal purchase page. I don’t know when they will open the links today but I am betting it will be sometime between 9AM and noon PST.
Sneaks for 2014!
Finally Mattel ( or apparently Mattel marketing) has given us a look at upcoming dolls from 2014. A number of items were sneaked to the BFC members a couple of days ago. Here are the public images ready for our greedy collector consumption.
Designed by: Bill Greening
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $29.95
source:www.barbiecollector.com
Adorable right?!! Shug…if it’s a girl…I am sending you one of these 
The Wizard of Oz™ Fantasy Glamour Wicked Witch of the West™ Doll
Designed by: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $100.00
Direct Exclusive from Barbiecollector.com
source:www.Barbie collector.com
Wow!! I thought WOZ dolls were totally overdone…until I saw this one. Linda, I salute you. She is a beauty!
Bob Mackie® Princess Stargazer™ Barbie® Doll
Designed by: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $100.00
Directly Exclusive from Barbiecollector.com
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Ummm…..I could be diplomatic and say this doll is unique. I have to be honest though and say this doll creeps me out. No disrespect to the amazing talents of Robert Best but…I find nothing compelling about this doll. No stargazing for this collector.
Designed by: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $75.00
source: www.barbiecollector.com
Well Linda, you have given us another home run! I adore this doll. I love the gown, the facial screening and the elegant updo. She will be joining the collection for sure. Thanks to the super sleuthing of fellow blogger Rogier of Dutch Barbie World, we have the inspiration for this fashion
Zuhair Murad Spring Summer Couture 2012
source: www.wwd.com
And last but not least….we have a look at the Alta Moda theme for this years BFMC Silkstone line.
Designed by: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/13/2014
Retailing for $50.00
source: www.barbiecollector.com
It pains me to say this but…I am not a fan. First of all, I don’t care for this particular facial screening. I think it is the big spiky bottom lashes. Secondly, the black bows have GOT to go. Are we going for the school girl look with the knee socks and hair bows? Thirdly, I am not a big fan of large floral jewelry. As a rule, I am not a big floral person period so perhaps that is what is coloring my whole dislike of this look. I have to say though that the $50 price tag is very reasonable for a dressed Silkstone. Thanks again to our super fashion sleuth Rogier, we perhaps have a look into the inspiration for this look.
Dolce and Gabbana 2012 Fall RTW
source: www.Style.com
BFC members were also given a sneak of the second Silkstone in the 2014 lineup but those photos are not yet public. The look however is taken almost directly from this same D&G fashion show above. I confess, when Robert Best announced that the 2014 Silkstone theme was going to be Alta Moda, my mind went to the beautiful couture of Eliza Schiaparelli or vintage Valentino so I was eagerly anticipating something like these
I am thinking….we are not going to see that. {Rebecca heaves a big sign of sadness}. I seriously would die if that pink striped number were produced.
Cupid’s Kisses has Arrived…
…And her hair is the big story. I won’t lie to you folks…it’s a bit of a fixer upper. Let me start by saying, her box is cute. It is streamlined and classic. I like it.
Here is Ms. C.Kisses in her box. Pardon the crappy cell phone pictures…they were all I could manage whens she arrived.
And here was mine and pretty much everyone else’s question….where is the cute little curl that goes on her forehead?? Here is the promo shot
No need to panic folks. The curl is there..you just have to coax it down a bit.
She comes with some adorable accessories
The dress is adequate though I have to be honest…I did not buy her for this dress. I have other fashions in mind for her. It is not Silkstone quality but it works well on her. There is a Velcro closure in the back so there is some room to make the fit better if it isn’t working on your doll. I think the velvet embossing on the dress is cute and appears to be applied correctly. The hair though…was some work. The ponytail does not have a hard curl at the end . Therein lies part of the problem. Mine came out of the box looking a bit like someone took a pair of scissors to the end of the ponytail. I will put a better curl in it when I have some time to hard set it. For now, I am content with getting the curl to come down on her forehead. Want to see how I did it? I figured….so I included pictures
The handy dandy pin trick! I keep these small silk or applique pins in my deboxing kit. They can solve a whole manner of hat and hair dilemmas.
Push the curl down on the forehead to where you would like it. Hold it down and insert a pin. Make sure you are putting the pin into hair and not into the dolls forehead ( that would be bad…especially if you want to move the hair off the forehead later…you would have a lobotomy scar to deal with and nobody wants that LOL). You can try weaving the pin in and out a little so it is catching different pieces of hair as it goes in. It will hold better this way. Be gentle with handling the hair on this one. It gets messy very easily so don’t overwork it.
Push the pin in. On a vinyl head it is so easy. You can do it with your finger. DON’T try this on a Silkstone. You will end up with a hole in your finger {ouch!}. You need a thimble for Silkstone heads.
You can leave it like this if you want. You can barely see the pin unless you are looking straight down at the curl. I photograph from different angles and since I try to avoid photoshopping when I can, I just ever so slightly move the hair over the pin so it is invisible.
Easy peasy right?!
The Barbie Look for 2014
The news out of Mattel is Bill Greening has some new Barbie Look’s for us. The news from retailers is that these “The Barbie Look” offerings will be available in December and will go for roughly $29.99 each. Many shops are offering up these beauties for presale so if you like them, put your order in with your favorite Barbie retailer.
There is a pink gowned one so she will be on my Christmas list for sure 
I adore the applied lashes on these beauties! I am thinking the gold gowned Diana Ross inspired number may have to come live with me too. I am really loving the edgy earrings of the blue pant suited blond and I like the coloring of the doll wearing the more casual blue dress. Oh heck…who am I kidding…I will probably just get all of them LOL!
Haunted Beauty
Last year Mattel and Bill Greening helped collectors celebrate Halloween with the direct exclusive Haunted Beauty Ghost™ Barbie® Doll.
Photo credit: Mattel, Inc
This year, Mattel and Mr. Greening serve up another helping of gorgeous gothic splendor with Haunted Beauty Vampire™ Barbie® Doll. She looks to be all decked out in a very close representation of an Alexander McQueen cloak over a deliciously gothic gown. If I were into vampire or gothic design dolls, I would be all over this one. While I may not be in the market to purchase this one, I can certainly admire the artistry of her design. Another win for you Mr. Greening.
Haunted Beauty Vampire™ Barbie® Doll
Retail: $100.00 ( this is a BC direct exclusive. Only available at Barbiecollector.com)
Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.
Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.
Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.
Photo credit: Mattel, Inc.
And the inspiration and much photographed cloak by the late Alexander McQueen…
Photo credit: Vanity Fair
Photo credit: Harpers Bazaar
Even Integrity Toys has done this one.
Happy New Year!!
No…Rebecca has not been hitting the bottle nor does she have her dates wrong. Mattel just announced that the highly anticipated next installment for their Holiday Hostess line will be up for sale Wednesday, October 9th. She is Happy New Year Barbie and she is a BFC exclusive.
There has been much speculation today as to what type of doll this is. Namely, collectors were asking “ Is she Silkstone or vinyl?”. A Mattel representative finally answered conclusively that this fabulous lady, though she looks very much like Silkstone, is in fact vinyl….just like every other doll in this very popular line. She may be residing currently in the category of Silkstones on the Barbiecollector website but that is an error and they are working to fix it. If you watched the video of Bill Greening I posted a few weeks ago, you saw quick photos of this one. If not, the promo shots are finally available to the public.
Retail: $75.00
Available to BFC members only at Barbiecollector.com beginning 10/09/2013 at 9:00AM PST
The chatter on this one would indicate she will sell out quickly. I know what I will be doing next Wednesday.
Bill Greening is In The Spotlight!
And boy oh boy does he have some fun sneak peaks! This video popped up on my youtube subscriptions this morning so I had to share. If you are a vintage collector and love Barbie’s friends, you will want to watch this video! There is a fabulous sneak peek at the end. Also, it will give all you collectors who are not a member of the BFC, a chance to see the next holiday hostess doll. She is a stunner!
One other fun note, my good friend and fellow blogger Rogier with Dutch Barbie World had one of his questions answered in the video. How cool is that?!! Well done Rogier!
Hope you enjoy 
So Happy Together…
My next installment of Poppy Parker was done to the music of the Turtles
This was listed as one of the top 10 songs of 1965 so very appropriate for the 1965 International Fair Poppys.
Model: Irresistible in India Poppy Parker
Swimsuit and coverup: The Barbie Look Poolside™ Barbie® Fashion
Earings: Palm Beach Breeze™ Barbie® Doll
**Source: Photo above was enhanced with PS brushes by Nureen-REstock on Deviantart. Thank you for making them available for use!**
Poppy is California Dreamin’
I know I have said this before, but I will reiterate. I always listen to music while I shoot photos. It’s just something I have always done with doll photos. I have two musicians in the house so if I am not playing music, it’s being played somewhere around me. While typing this blog post, my daughter is hard at work on a violin piece called Gavotte in D Major by Bach…but I digress. While shooting this series of photos, it seems only right that I go to the time that David Buttry used as inspiration for this his International Fair Poppy series. When it comes to late 60’s, there is one stand out favorite for me…California Dreamin’ by the Mamas and the Papas, and that is where I went for some mood music for this next set of photos.
Model: Irresistible in India Poppy Parker
Swimsuit and coverup: Barbie Basics
Jewelry: Irresistible in India Poppy Parker
While looking at some inspirations photos for this shoot, I ran across this one from 1967. The hair!!
The Barbie Look™ 2013
Mattel released photos on BarbieCollector today with a release date for the highly anticipated “The Barbie Look” line. This line is designed by Bill Greening and is considered a follow-up to his highly successful Barbie Basics designs of past years. Mattel says the dolls and outfits will be available at http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop or Barbie dealers on 11/15/12. All Editions are considered Black Label. I am still trying to get clarification as to exactly what “Black Label” means in editions size but my guess is…big enough that there should be plenty of supply on these. I think this new effort from Mr. Greening is fabulous and a natural and stylish sequel to his previous line of Basics.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc.**
City Shopper™ Barbie® Doll – Steffie face mold
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
City Shopper™ Barbie® Doll – Mbili face mold
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
The outfits will be coming out the same day as the dolls.
On The Red Carpet™ Barbie® Fashion
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
Pink On The Green™ Barbie® Fashion
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
Poolside™ Barbie® Fashion
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
Tea Party® Barbie® Fashion
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $19.95
Barbie® Wardrobe
Available 11/15/12 and retailing for $69.95 OUCH!! A bit steep for a closet. The drawers better open 
Haunted Beauty Ghost™ Barbie® Doll
I may not be in the market for this one but it does not stop me from admiring her. Many, many collectors have been greatly anticipating this beauty and the pictures will show you why. Here is the write up from Mattel on this ghost….
“An ancient mansion sits beneath ink black skies. Midnight winds whisper through deserted rooms. Softly, the sound of clanging chains and supernatural murmurs rises and grows. From the darkness, an apparition appears, sheer and barely visible. Frightfully beautiful, she lives between this earthly life and an unknown world beyond. You are indeed fortunate that this sublime spirit has revealed herself to you!
Haunted Beauty Ghost™ Barbie® wears an ethereal, off-white gown featuring fitted bodice, bell sleeves, and full skirt with tattered hem. A silvery earthly chain wraps around her body. Her long, pale platinum hair and dramatic face paint take her far beyond the paranormal to extraordinary!” —From Barbiecollector.com
Oh my! She was designed by Mr. Bill Greening and is available only from Barbiecollector.com….just in time for Halloween too. Cool! Just click on her picture if you want to go to Barbiecollector.com to take a look at her.
** Photos are property of Mattel Inc**
If interest on the doll boards is a good gauge ( and I believe it is 
), then this is another one that may sell out sooner rather than later. Just an FYI.
Yuletide Yummies Barbie
If you are a member of the BFC ( Barbie Fan Club) and a fan of the Holiday Hostess Barbie series Bill Greening has been giving us over the past year, tomorrow is a day you should have marked on your calendar. The next installment for this series will be available tomorrow and the fun begins at 9:00AM PT. As this is not a platinum edition….I don’t expect to need my valium. 
She will set you back $75.00 and I suspect this one will sell out quickly so if you want her, get her soon. Christmas is my all time favorite holiday so I plan to be online at 9AM PT with bells on for this one.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc.**
How cute are these accessories I ask you??!!! It’s almost worth it for the Santa mugs alone! Here is a shot I took of her at Barbiecon. Hair on this one at Barbiecon looks like its been messed with quite a bit. I am kind of liking the promo shot better than the one we saw at Barbiecon although…the IRL photo makes her look softer. LOVE the cat eye eyeliner and holiday red lips on this one.
First Look at Barbie for 2013
Photos are starting to show up on retail sites so I believe it’s okay to share them here. Mattel shared some preview photos of dolls coming up in 2013. If you like Dolls of the World, you will perhaps be happy with the offerings. I don’t know about you guys but….I am getting a little tired of France and Spain coming out again and again. I can’t deny they are cute but it shows up so often it’s making me feel like Mattel is brokering some kind of trade deal with these countries. I mean no disrespect to the lovely countries of Spain and France….just want to see some different ones from Mattel and their Dolls of the World series. Based on early pricing from dealers sites, the Dolls of the World will cost around $25.00 and are due out in December of 2012.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc.**
Miss France
Miss Spain
Miss Philippines
Bill greening debuted the successor to his highly successful Barbie Basics line with The Barbie Look series:
The Barbie Look 1:
Oh my word!!! Is she wearing Missoni??!! She is a Steffie faced beauty with rooted eyelashes. Toooo cute! Priced around $30.00 and due out first quarter of 2013.
The Barbie Look 2:
Very Chic! Uses the Mbili face mold I believe. Priced around $30.00 and due out first quarter of 2013.
Since this new series is all based around “ The Look”, there had to be fashion packs as well….
The Tea Party Accessory Pack
The The Poolside Accessory Pack
The Golf Accessory Pack
The Red Carpet Accessory Pack
Each pack should retail for around $25.00. There is not date as to when these are expected but I suspect it will be the same time as the dolls. Girl has to have her clothes when she arrives right?
The Blonds Blond Diamond™ Barbie®
Don’t you just hate it when you refocus your collection and start to feel really good about it then BAM…something comes along that blows your entire refocus plan right out of the water. I had thought I was done with the expensive vinyl dolls. I absolutely love the fantasy creations of Linda Kyaw from Mattel but I decided that they just don’t fit in with the focus of my collection. I felt really good about the decision until some new photos started circulating. In 2010 The Blonds collaborated with Mattel to design three one of a kind Barbie dolls.
In a 2012 BFC designer chat, it was mentioned that a new designer doll would be available in 2012. The following photos were given as a sneak peak about a month ago for BFC members and today Mattel is offering her on their Barbiecollector.com website ( it is a BC exclusive!). She will be available in December of 2012 and will retail for $125.00 ( ouch!). She is a gold label and was designed by Bill Greening in a partnership with The Blonds. For those of us not familiar with The Blonds, here is a bit of background http://www.zimbio.com/Phillipe+Blond/articles/2/Designer+Month+BlondsIn
And now for the photos!
The Blonds Blond Diamond™ Barbie®
** All photos are property of Mattel **
Is she worth the hefty price tag? Time will have to tell on that one. I absolutely adore the glamour with a capitol “G” here. I am really hoping the production doll is what the promo photos promise. ***One important note to mention here folks*** It has been reported that the dress is NOT removable. For us redressers, that is definitely a downside. Word on the street is this baby may in fact sell out so factor that one in if you want her. I could be way off on that but the positive buzz on the boards about this one would indicate a big interest. Here is the link for purchasing on BC.com http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/blonds-blond-diamond-barbie-doll-w3499
Mattel releases photos of Empress of the Aliens Barbie
I don’t collect Fantasy Dolls but it does not stop me from appreciating their artistry. I know Bill Greening is a very talented guy not to mention one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure to meet from Mattel. I can totally see him and his love for vintage Barbie collecting when I see all of his Barbie reproduction designs. When he comes out with things like this, I see the true artist in him and it continues to amaze me. He has such a range in his designs. Mr. Greening….I tip my hat.
Empress of the Aliens Barbie
release date: 06/21/12
Available at Barbie dealers or Barbie Collector
Price: TBD
**Photos property of Mattel Inc.**
The shoes!! Oh my word the shoes!! 
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 