Who Says Redheads Can’t Wear Pink?!
This is a fashion rule somewhere right? The fact that redheads should not wear pink. Why do so many of us seem to have this rule stuck in our heads? Where did this come from? I am sure there are some circumstances in which redheads in pink don’t work out. Mustard yellow and I definitely don’t mix well…but that is a different story. I recently received a few items that my brain was telling me “don’t go together”, but my eyes were giving me a whole other input. I went with the eyes and told the brain to go have a glass of wine and relax.
This statement of a gown is another beauty in sequins from PonnePP you can find him and contact him via his Flickr site( www.flickr.com/ponne1984). I featured the red version in February. The other dazzlers in this shot are the amazing Silkstone repaint of Gala Gown by Jon Copeland-Childers of SeloJSpa and a princess tiara by CHATIARA2015.
This combination just had me seeing her as a princess.
I have to admit…I am a little obsessed with this tiara right now. It’s so detailed and exquisite. It’s an investment for sure (not cheap!) and in my opinion a good investment. I received my first crown and it was damaged, so they immediately sent me a new one and paid for the return shipping of the damaged crown. Fair and fast. A class operation. The shine and sparkle of this just can’t be captured adequately in my photos. The designer’s name is Chawalit Chommuang and you can find him on Facebook at God Diamonds. Really beautiful work. The link to find and purchase this crown is CHATIARA2015. **note: the crown might be a little big on some smaller heads or tight hairstyles. Just want to mention that. **
PonnePP’s gowns are just amazing. All those little elongated sequin tiles!
-Rebecca
The Oscars Gala
With the Oscars this weekend, I couldn’t resist another award themed photo shoot. I always enjoy watching the red carpet and I am looking forward to this years festivities.
Model: Gala Gown Barbie® Doll
Gown, belt and fur: Randall Craig RTW
Earrings: Regal Solstice Anja Fashion Royalty 2011
Gala Dior
I almost always love a redhead in a green dress. Most people do and there are aesthetic and photography reasons for this…see upcoming blog post this next week. I recently took receipt of the most exquisite green dress from my dear friend Hilda of Bellissima Couture. She patterned it off of a Dior gown from the 1950’s as seen here in this iconic 1957 Life magazine photo
(Photo credit: Loomis Dean – 1957 LIFE)
I had to find the perfect model for it and who better than my muse o’ the moment…Gala Gown.
Model: Gala Gown Barbie® Doll
Gown and hat: Bellissima Couture
Necklace and gloves: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
2012 ITFDS Favorites
At the end of each year, a flurry of photos floods Flickr and doll boards with groupings of collectors favorite dolls for the year. I always have these grand ideas of doing a group photo too and never seem to get around to it . This year, I had a flash of inspiration and decided I was going to MAKE the time to do it…so.. here it is. I was inspired by this years Vanity Fair Hollywood Edition.
In no particular order, my favorite dolls for 2012 are
1) Glam Addict Giselle
2) Gala Gown Silkstone Barbie
3) Fame by Frame Imogen
4) Lilac Frost Poppy Parker
5) High Profile Eugenia
Inspiration photo…..
The Agony of “Sold Out”
We have all been there. Something we really want sells out before we get a chance to buy it. In the doll collecting community, it seems to be happening more often lately. Case in point, two dolls that I wrote about previously have sold out rather quickly.
** Photos are property of Mattel, Inc**
Many collectors, it would seem (if talk on the doll boards is a good gage of distress), were caught unaware. It got me to thinking…why does this seem to be happening more often lately? Is it because there are more collectors all of the sudden? More likely, it is the toy companies like Mattel and Integrity Toys figuring out that very tricky supply/demand line and managing it more prudently. Let me clarify that these “sold out” signs are coming up at Barbiecollector.com and not necessarily at all of the dealers and here is my thought. Perhaps Mattel is limiting the supply on their site so as to drive more traffic to their dealer sites. I think this would be a really good thing as I have always thought the dealers kind of get shafted when Mattel’s product is so readily available on the Barbiecollector site. What incentive do buyers have to go through a dealer if they can get it directly from Mattel? It never made sense to me why Mattel would undercut their own dealers. I really like to see the dealers getting some highly anticipated dolls in first..before Mattel’s Barbiecollector.com site. It makes sense to me that the dealers should get some perks and the customers who support these dealers should get it too. I love supporting the local dealer because it feels like you are supporting one of your “tribe”. Typically these local dealers are collectors just like us and it is not only a pleasure to get to know them but it just feels good to support their business.
Okay, my plug for the local dealer is done. 
On to other business…like the next possible “sold out” doll. Tomorrow Mattel will have this lovely lady on their site available for purchase and the news I am getting from various dealers is that she is flying off the shelves. She has been available from dealers for the past week. It was a bit surprising considering her whopping price tag but folks..as a silkie collector I have to say…she is a must have. I think sooner rather than later should be the mantra on this one…she may be gone before you know it.
Limited Edition of no more than 6500 worldwide.
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.
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.
