ITFDS is Going Live from the Doll Room
Going to be interviewed by…or rather just kind of sit down to chat with…my dear friends Mario and Gianni of Magia2000. I am hoping to do this IN THE DOLL ROOM!! So for all of you who have been asking “where are pictures of the doll room?!”, here is your chance to see some.
Fair warning people…I talk just like I write. Be prepared for many LOL moments and me generally making a complete fool of myself. Should be fun right? #famouslastwords Seriously though, I will enjoy talking with the incredible and talented hosts of IDC Happy Hour about doll collecting, photography and whatever else comes up 
edit…Here is link to the IDC FB group. It looks like you need to be invited in. I believe the video will also be available later if you still want to see it but can’t attend. (7) Italian Doll Convention | Facebook
-Rebecca
Nadja in the Garden
I am awaiting Spring. While I wait for it to arrive, I decided to make my own garden of sorts. As I have shared in previous posts, I have been playing around with making my own 1/6 scale flowers. There are lots of tutorials on making paper flowers online. There is not….however…lots of tutorials on how to make 1/6 scale paper flowers. Given that, I had to essentially come up with my own patterns and a way of making them in this scale. I enjoy the process itself of figuring out things in this scale. In order to feel accomplishment however, I need an end project to work towards so this garden was the vision I had for making these glorious 1/6 scale bearded Iris’s . I hope you enjoy the images half as much as I enjoyed figuring out and making these flowers.
Model: The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes – Integrity Toys
Gown and Jewelry: Spell of Kindness Vanessa – Integrity Toys
Background: Designed and manufactured by ITFDS
grass mats were found at Daiso, gate was purchased online years ago and I honestly have no idea where. Boxwood mini trees where found at local homegoods store but can be found at many places online. Back wall of greenery was made by combining 12×12 greenery tiles I found at Joanne’s crafts and glued to poster board. All other flowers were made by me with paper.
Styled and photographed by Rebecca Berry for ITFDS
For these shots, I am using a Canon 5dMark III with a Canon Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS lens. I used natural light for this shoot augmented by one Lume cube (with diffuser) on a stand. I also used a white board to bounce the light from the left. I use Adobe Light room Classic to post process then Adobe Photoshop to clean up anything I can’t do with Light room. Side note…Coffee grounds work really well as dirt. Just make sure you are binding it with something and gluing it down. It will get everywhere if you just use it loose. Modge podge works well to adhere it to surfaces. I used a spray adhesive here then just applied coffee grounds to the board after so the grounds would stay in place. If you use “used” coffee grounds, the smell isn’t as strong as fresh ground coffee. That smell can be a bit overwhelming even for a coffee lover like me.
I hope you enjoy these behind the scenes looks. I know I am always learning and am always grateful when others show their process or some of the equipment they use. I know there are photographers out there with a greater wealth of experience. I am simply showing what I do and what I use. Enjoy the journey! 
-Rebecca
Poppy at the Flower Market
When I started making 1/6 flowers, it was with this diorama in mind. I wanted to do a French style flower market. I started with 1/6 roses and then just kind of took off into other types and varieties. I have not stopped. I work predominately in paper. All kinds of paper from tissue through crepe paper and into thicker cardstock. Each flower type has it’s different personality that requires a different structure. That is part of the beauty of discovery when crafting I suppose. For me, there is a photo shoot concept at the end that drives me. I have had some really epic fails and also..I am happy to report…some extraordinary successes.
Part of the project for this flower market was the construction of the flower shop window. That was accomplished with foam core board, stucco spray paint , plastic and dollhouse molding. I figured out how to make the little French flower pails out of paper. This glorious Dior inspired suit by Chris Stoeckel for Integrity Toys fits Poppy beautifully. It just needed a French flower shop backdrop.
Model: Looks a Plenty Poppy Parker GS 2018
Suit, accessories and hat: East 59th Mid Day Venture Aurelia Grey
Set: ITFDS
Bistro table and chairs: miniChair on Etsy
Styling and Photography: Rebecca Berry for ITFDS
In the Pink Nadja
What can I say…I am in a pink and Nadja mood right now. I adore this doll and in this amazing pastel pink she just sings to me. I don’t believe you can ever go wrong with pastel pink. For the past year now, we have been in quarantine in my area. We are located uncomfortably close to the first cases of the virus in the US. We knew we had community spread early on so my husband’s workplace told everyone to work remotely from home last March. Both of my college age kiddos also have been doing remote learning for their respective colleges for many months. It’s a full house once again and I kinda like it. I know it’s only temporary and will enjoy it while I can.
While I haven’t been active on the blog, I have not been idle. I decided last year to switch a now unused space in our home ( the kids play room) to a full time studio/craft space. I will do a blog post on that project at a later time but the crafting space is allowing me to pursue another passion for now…miniature plants and flowers. This love of crafting miniature plants has dovetailed rather nicely into a home re-landscaping project that has been in the planning for many years. We finally completed the bulk of the landscape project this year and await final pieces this spring. So, I guess what I am saying is…plants and flowers will be popping up on images for the blog.
My mindset for the images in today’s post was Spring. Since Jessy Ayala designed a very chic and edgy outfit with vibrant color for the original doll, I wanted to try and take her softer and more pastel for contrast. In my mind, this is her office in Paris where she runs some kind of floral or home decorating empire. It is springtime in Paris and you can imagine that the sunshine coming into the shot is from a set of french doors with a view of the Eiffel tower over the black ornate wrought iron balcony railing.
I am also channeling a bit of Frida Kahlo here with the miniature hydrangeas in her hair. Just go with it.
Model and jewelry: The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes by Integrity Toys
Clothing: MUNLE ( @m.u.n.l.e on Instagram) and HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Shoes: Mademoiselle Lilith by Integrity Toys
Purse: @mydollhouse2005 on Instagram
Mac computer: Liluminiature on Etsy
Wall panel: divinitydolldecor on Etsy
Styling and Photography: ITFDS
This scene is also full of fun little miniatures that I have worked on for the past year and some that I have purchased ( the purse and computer). I always love to see detail photos in other people’s dioramas so I am including a couple here.
Behind the scenes 
. Happy first day of Spring!! I know, I know…meteorologically speaking of course..not astronomically.
-Rebecca
Siren Silhouette Korrine
Last year Integrity Toys released a small Fashion Royalty capsule collection called FR Maison Paris. It consisted of two dolls and I received the second doll in the collection not too long ago. Everything about this small collection had huge glamour factor. Jessy Ayala indulged his creativity towards elegant pastels and classic lines for this capsule. The results were big hits with collectors including this one. Thanks to my trusty dealer, I managed to secure both dolls.
Siren Silhouette
Korinne Dimas™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection:
Maison FR
Limited Edition: 1100 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Early Winter 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $175.00
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS
Head Sculpt: Korinne Dimas
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Dark Brunette
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
I think she is exceptional! I adore the intricate details of this gown…beads down the seams of the skirt people!! All of them!!. This gown is pure confection . The accessories start off with a statement cocktail ring paired with the over the top chandelier earrings and delicate clutch with butterfly clasp. The shoes are a lovely iridescent silvery pair of stillettos with ornate metal heel (à la Ralph and Russo).
Here is how this beauty translated through my camera lens. I am very happy.
And sometimes…when taking images…the light reflects at just the right moment and in the exact right spot. I realize that this effect can be done using lightroom but it is always a little bit of magic when it happens organically. Here is the Siren herself…
For those of you interested in the behind the scenes set-up for these images, this one is for you. I had a reflector bouncing light from the left and partly cloudy afternoon diffused light coming in from the right. Here I am using two Replica Surface background boards in “Smoke”.
-Rebecca
Poppy Parker: The Model Traveler Collection
Hello everyone! Coming to you from quarantine in the Pacific Northwest of the United States 
. I hope this blog post finds you in good health and looking forward towards hope and happiness. I know most if not all of us were more than ready for some good doll collecting news so the new release from Integrity Toys and their very popular Poppy Parker line was a long cool drink of water in the middle of this quarantine desert.
David Buttry has given us a treat with this latest collection. He takes us on an aggressive world tour just at the time when we are most thirsty for dreams of travel. The journey is rich in sophistication, details and Jackie O’ styling from the late 60’s and early 70’s. While this time period is probably my least favorite for fashion, David manages to convince me otherwise with these dolls. I want every last one of them including the lottery. Let’s get started with the journey….
We start our travels in New York.
Hello, New York!
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Poppy Parker™: The Model Traveler Collection
Limited Edition: 1000 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Late May 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $145.00
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Strawberry Blonde
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
• 12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
• Fresh tweed ensemble composed of an overcoat with matching skirt and perfectly
matched mint-colored ruffled blouse;
• Knee length boots;
• Large tote bag;
• Sunglasses;
• Earrings, bracelets and ring;
• Alternate pair of gloved hands;
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.
This titian haired beauty exemplifies the style and aesthetic David Buttry was going for. A Jackie O vibe in the late 60’s and 70’s. The travel bag is specially designed and screen printed to emulate vintage luggage of the time. From the tips of her manicured fingers to the bottom of her rounded grey booted feet, She screams cool, calm, sophisticated and stylish. Lots of mix and match pieces to play with here folks and those grey gloved hands are FR white so can be used with so many other dolls too. She is definitely traveling in style.
Next, we board for Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Twilight
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Poppy Parker™: The Model Traveler Collection
Limited Edition: 1000 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Late May 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $145.00
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Platinum
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
• 12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
• Totally MOD long sleeved, micro-sequined A-line dress, worn over a sparkling sleeveless micro-
dress;
• Silver “chrome leather” shoes;
• Silver “chrome leather” clutch with chain handle;
• Oversized triangular panel earrings;
• 2 bangle bracelets;
• 2 finger rings;
• Alternate pair of hands with long manicured nails;
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.
Love the 1960’s – or possibly Princess Lea vibe going on with this hair!
According to David, this hairstyle was one he had used on a previous OOAK for IT convention and wanted to use it again. I searched through my photo archive and sure enough…voila!
The outfit is an homage per David I believe to a highly sought after Vintage Japanese exclusive Barbie outfit. This one below sold on Ebay in Canada for around $1500 in 2019. If there is an official name for this outfit please let me know. I am woefully ignorant of vintage Barbie and am always happy to be educated.
I love it this doll! I love the multiple parts of this fashion too. You can layer it or not depending on what kind of look you want to go for. The mod jewelry is just the right accompaniment. Her coloring is very reminiscent of “Out of this World Poppy Parker” and she is one of my favorites so no surprise I am drawn to this one as well. She was the one who caught my eye first when IT released images and apparently this one is a favorite of the designer David Buttry as well.
Next on the world wind tour is Milan…
Mad for Milan
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Poppy Parker™: The Model Traveler Collection
Limited Edition: 1000 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Late June/Early July 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $145.00
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle
Skin Tone: Sun Kissed
Hair Color: Brown Black Mix
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
• 12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
• Long, glamorous floor length leopard print coat worn over a fun long-sleeved,
black A-Line dress;
• Faux "suede" thigh high boots;
• Faux croc "leather" handbag;
• Sunglasses;
• Long chain necklace with pendant;
• Multi-use chain belt;
• Earrings, 3 bracelets and wrist cuff;
• Alternate pair of gloved hands;
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.
This doll is all about that coat! Love the bumped hairstyle with simple band and adore that David did her in a sunkissed skin tone. I have been enthralled with the Italian miniseries based on the book “ My Brilliant Friend” so this doll was just what I needed for 1960’s Italian high fashion. The accessories and jewelry in particular are a notch above. The chain belt included with this set can be used as a belt or necklace so some nice options.
Last stop…the city of Lights!…Paris
Sizzling in Paris
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
Poppy Parker™: The Model Traveler Collection
Limited Edition: 1000 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Late June/Early July 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $145.00
IT DIRECT RIGHT-TO-BUY LOTTERY
*Info will be sent to W Club members closer to the ship date, approx. mid-June
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Foot Sculpt: High Heel
Skin Tone: Cream
Hair Color: Raven
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
• 12-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
• Elegant ruby red floor length evening gown with beading detail at the bust and faux fur
stole;
• Red heels with rhinestone detail;
• Clutch purse with rhinestone detail;
• Gauntlet gloves;
• Rhinestone earrings, ring and cuff bracelet;
• Alternate pair of opera length gloved hands;
• Alternate pair of hands with long manicure;
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.
Wow!! Poppy is all grown up!! This is sophistication with a capitol “S”! I love that they chose the Opéra Garnier as a backdrop for this one. It definitely adds that extra level of glamour. This is a very sexy and smart facial screening for Poppy. It’s the Bergdorf screening with a different eyebrow and boy does it work well. I love the sleek high ponytail and the deep garnet lip shade and dress color. Glittering jewels complete the opulent offering. I will definitely be entering the lottery for this lovely and I am sure I won’t be alone. I am happy to see the large edition sizes for this collection. That way many of us Poppy lovers will come away happy.
Many of us were left wondering at the end of this capsule presentation “Where is London?!” I have the answer to that….She was actually the very first Poppy Parker offering this year.
This was one of the WClub signup upgrade dolls. She represents the London stop on the Poppy World tour for 2020 per David. Glad I ordered her then so the completest collector in me will be happy.
One final note I am compelled to make about this collection is the adorable packaging. Alain Tremblay designed the most adorable Luggage/carryall box for this collection! I think many of us collectors will be keeping these boxes.
If you are interested in these lovely ladies, you will need to contact Integrity Toys dealers for them. The Sizzling in Paris Poppy will only be available to WClub members.
–Rebecca
Celebrating Easter with Poppies and Daisies
Happy Easter everyone!! Since we are all at home and anxious during this global pandemic ( and there is a sentence I never expected or wanted to write) Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and I wanted to bring a little pastel beauty to everyone’s day and week. I hope these images bring some joy to your day and some hope into your hearts. We will get through this together and come out stronger for it. And with that…lets get on with the photos. Hilda and I have collaborated again with Laduree as our inspiration.
All dresses were made by Hilda and are up for sale through her blog Bellissima Couture . She has a limited supply of each color. I have also made some coordinating bags and boxes for these. The dresses do not come with the hats. I added those for these images.
The bags and boxes are available now. Very limited quantity. The pillows and rose filled little box will come out a bit later. The flowers are not available…sorry folks ( my supplier for these is not producing currently). If you are just interested in the bags and boxes, contact me via email at raberry65@msn.com. If you are interested in the dress and bags/boxes, contact Hilda through her blog. Bag with 2 boxes is $15 plus S/H ( pink, blue, white). Bag with 1 box $10 plus S/H( mint green). Hat boxes are $12 plus S/H. Shipping and handling on the these especially internationally will be a bit more because items need to be shipped in boxes.
The lovely Lemon Frost Poppy Parker in her Easter bonnet by Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World
The adorable Groovy Poppy Parker and hat by Judy O’Connell of Aponi Designs
Split Decision Poppy Parker with hat by Tiny Kitty Collier ( I think this was from the charity luncheon outfit??)
Keen Poppy Parker with another hat from Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World.
Digital Hugs to all and please, please, please keep up social distancing. Remember that we are doing it for others as well as ourselves. Also, if I have any followers who are health care workers in any capacity…you have my continued whole hearted respect and admiration for the valiant jobs you are doing.
-Rebecca
NBDCC Convention News–Sitting this one out.
First and Foremost let me wish Barbie a very Happy 61st Birthday today!!! In honor of her birthday I thought it would be a good day to announce some news and give some information on a fun sale that Miss Hilda ( Bellissima Couture) and I have cooked up for Miss Barbie.
Some of you may have heard already but I wanted to put this out there for everyone. Hilda and I will not be attending the National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention this year in Las Vegas. The reasons for us not going are varied. I want to assure everyone that it is not due to any health related issues. My family and I are doing very well and I am happy to report that all of my daughter’s scans have been blissfully clear and without any evidence of cancer since 2018. Sooooo grateful!!! Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They are working!!
We are very sad to not be seeing everyone. This community of collectors is what drives Hilda and I to do what we do. Because we love and value this collector community so much we have been coming up with some fun ways to offer the same products we normally offer at Barbiecon but via our online shops. This way everyone can participate and not just those attending the convention. For those attending NBDCC, please know we are very sorry to miss seeing and visiting with you at the convention. I am most sorry to miss that one on one connection. It was and is always the highlight of going to the convention for me.
Now that we are announcing, both Hilda and I wanted to offer up a special sales event on Barbie’s birthday to begin our series of online events leading up to the NBDCC. The plan is to offer a couple different capsule collections from now until June. These capsule collections will include fashions by Hilda (Bellissima Couture). Some will have unique OOAK fabrics we have developed together. Offerings will include luxury accessories that I have done to compliment the fashions. Also, this means {cue drumroll please!}….my Etsy shop is opening!!!!
My Etsy shop is ITFashionDollStudio and should be open by Friday if not before. I will send the link via blog post on Friday or before once it is open.
If you are interested in the fashions, head on over to Hilda’s blog (Bellissima Couture). She is selling the dresses and the dresses with bag as a set. If you are interested in the accessories ( bag sets, individual bags, hat boxes and pillows) please visit my Etsy shop when it opens this Friday.
-Rebecca
Spring Fever–Sophisticated
Still dreaming of spring here in the dreary rain filled days of a Pacific Northwest winter. I have already shown some fun more casual fashions. Today I’m going full on couture with two fashions and models that brought Spring into the studio for a swoon worthy day of pastels.
Model: Making an Entrance Karolin Stone from Integrity Toys ( Her hair has been changed)
Suit and hat: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Jewelry: Integrity Toys
The construction of this gorgeous creation is incredible. Beautifully tailored and sewn! The beading!! I Die!!
Next up is a pink confection from my bestie Miss Hilda of Bellissima Couture
Model and Jewelry: Pink Powder Puff Poppy Parker from Integrity Toys
Gown: Bellissima Couture
Shoes: Paul Zhangby on Ebay
Nobody does these silk and lace creations like Hilda! Nobody! The perfect confection for this pink Poppy.
And…because I am all about botanicals right now…had to do this!
Looking forward to Spring!!
-Rebecca
Bringing the Versace
Integrity Toys spoiled it’s WClub members with a gift set that was Versace inspired in late 2019. Club members just received this gift set and I would say we are very happy. Thank you Jessy Ayala for this stunning design!
Ocean Drive
Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™
Dressed Doll Mini Gift Set
The Fashion Royalty® Collection
2019 W Club Exclusive
Head Sculpt: Agnes
Foot Sculpt: High heel
Skin Tone: FR Black
Hair Color: Dark Espresso
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
The inspiration is clearly Versace’s 2018 Spring RTW tribute collection to Gianni Versace.
The accessories with the gift set are truly amazing!
Very mermaid like
And because this is Versace inspired…I felt Agnes need to be in an ad campaign for them.
The glasses and the silk scarf were made by me. If interested, contact me.
-Rebecca
In The Palace
For those of you who follow my instagram feed, you have seen some of these images already. It is not my intention to post images on Instagram first but sometimes it just works out that way. If I am excited about a photo, sometimes I just can’t contain myself and have to share it immediately. Sometimes there is just an image and no backstory or text/dialogue I want to share with it other than the image itself. Instagram is a great platform for that. If you don’t follow me there, consider it. I share funny behind the scenes stories and pictures on my Instagram stories too. My blog will still be the place to come when you want the full set of images on something and/or more information on what is in the picture. Ok, now that public service announcement is out of the way….on to the pictures.
I had this amazing graphic a friend had sent me many moons ago and had used it in backdrops for Hilda and my sales table at Barbiecon. I always love architectural drawings and wanted to see if it would work as a photo backdrop. Thankfully..it did.
Elyse In The Palace
Model: Divinely Luminous Elyse from Integrity Toys
Gown: Rimdoll on Etsy
Jewelry: Divinely Luminous Elyse
I felt like I needed an opulent set to go with this amazing dress from Rimdoll. It is a wonderful interpretation of the Dior Robe Mexique from 1951.
Elyse wasn’t the only one at the palace the day of this shoot. Dasha made an appearance as well.
Dasha at the Palace
Model: Daydream Dasha d’Amboise from Integrity Toys
Gown: HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Jewelry: Daydream Dasha and Mattel
Shoes: Integrity Toys
Love this shirt long skirt combo. Sooooo elegant!! This miniature couture designer out of Vietnam is amazing. I will tell you that his designs take a while to manufacture and arrive. I can also tell you that while the wait was long, I was always happy with the product.
-Rebecca
Poppy Breaks Out
Hello intrepid followers. It feels like every time I try to get to the blog something blocks the path. For the past month and a half it’s been mother nature and a pesky furnace that just doesn’t want to get with the program. While snow is beautiful and it turns the studio into one big snow globe…it it isn’t heated, its no fun to be in there. After some very stern language and a good furnace doctor…we are back in business in the studio.
I took delivery of some new backgrounds recently for another product photography project and realized they work really well for doll photography as well. The company is called Replica Surfaces. They are kind of pricey for doll photography but might be worth the investment if you want easy to set up and sturdy. I am not being compensated at all for this plug. Just passing on information on a product that I have enjoyed using.
New doll in the studio!! I recently received Rendez Vous in Rio Poppy Parker from the Mission to Brazil Poppy Parker collection. The second I got her, I saw her in green. I had recently seen a stunning Vanity Fair cover of Lupita Nyong’o
And I was inspired by a dress by Rimdoll on Etsy. Here is the product of that inspiration and a newly warm studio.
And because I was having fun with Photoshop, I decided to do some color variations including an early Valentines Day image. Hope you enjoy.
Thank you all for you patience! Looking forward to warmer days and a better relationship with my furnace. I guess you could say we are currently in therapy .
-Rebecca
Black and White Forever Barbie
2020 will be the final year for the BFMC Barbie adult collector line. While it is sad to see the end, I think it is time to let this one go. The line since the articulated body made it’s appearance and economy measures were installed at Mattel have really taken this line down to the basic level. Case in point, the first doll of the final series in 2020 is “Best in Black”
- Label: Gold Label®
- Designer: Robert Best
- Release Date: 11/20/2019
- Eyelashes: Painted
- Body Type: Poseable silkstone
- Included With Dress, pair of sheer socks,pair of shoes, & Doll Stand
- Facial sculpt: Vintage Silkstone
- Fashion Sewn On?: No
- Fashion: Jet-black mini dress with stylish leg-of-mutton sleeves
Ok…so if you were looking to design and offer a doll to symbolize a funeral for the BFMC line….Mattel hit the nail on the head. This doll is indeed headed to a funeral with all the austerity and solemnity that would entail. No jewelry, no handbag, socks shoes and a black dress. Okie Dokie. Not the way this amazing BFMC line of dolls should begin the end of its career in my opinion but here we are.
Who knows what the last entries for this line will entail but at this point, my hopes are not high. For it’s last offering of 2019, the BFMC managed to at least give us collectors a ball gown so I have decided to celebrate that with a blog post. Don’t get me wrong, the BFMC has thrilled and blown this collector away many times since 2001. I am happy to have been able to collect this line for the past 19 years. I am just sad to see it ending on such a low note.
This past season, I was able to add a tree to the ITFDS studio. The theme for the tree was all black and white. Chanel was an inspiration.
And it inspired me to give the 2019 Black and White Forever Barbie a photo shoot.
Barbie® Black and White Forever™ Doll
- Label: Gold Label®
- Designer: Robert Best
- Release Date: 6/04/2019
- Included with doll: Slingback shoes, Earrings, Doll Stand,gloves, petticoat,wrist tag
- Eyelashes: Painted
- Fashion: Petticoat, Slingback shoes
- Fashion Sewn On?: No
- Body Type: Posable BFMC
- Doll Stand: Yes
- Facial sculpt: 11590
She at least has some earrings 
. I’m not a huge fan of the articulated body or the glitter eye shadow but at least she has a ballgown. I also like the two toned white with black hair in an elegant updo. Is she worth the $100 price tag? I would wait for a sale on this one.
-Rebecca
Day 1 at the Museum
Model: Integrity Toys Out of Sight Nadja
Dress: Mizi Dolls Fashion “Paris”
Purse: Phillip Nuveen on Etsy
Earings and Shoes: Integrity Toys
Glasses: ITFDS
Miniature Portrait: Kelly Rinaldi ( contact her @ you_are_a_doll on Instagram)
Day 2 at the Museum
I don’t know about you guys…but one day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art is never enough for me. Apparently it wasn’t for Nadja either.
Model: Integrity Toys “Out of Sight” Nadja
Jacket, Dress, Hat, and Boots: Integrity Toys “Female Icon” Dasha
Floral jacket pin: Scrapbooking element….swear…to God LOL!
Purse: Tiny Frock Shop
Earrings: Integrity Toys
–Rebecca
Inspirational Thursday
Good Morning readers! Or for some of you it is afternoon or evening. Well, wherever you are in the world, are you ready for some inspiration? I was recently at the Integrity Toys Convention in Baltimore MD and I was captivated by some mini portraits that were so cleverly done I immediately snapped them up and look forward to adding more to my collection. The clever and talented artist is Kelly Rinaldi and she is seriously multi talented. She walked away with the the judges choice award for diorama and wowed shoppers with these mini portraits.
Sometimes, it’s one item that sends me into a whole different level of creativity. This past week, it has been these mini portraits…or rather just one.
Mini portrait: Kelly Rinaldi ( contact her on Instagram @you_are_a_doll )
Purse: Phillip Nuveen on Etsy
Dress: Mizi dolls
Shoes and jewelry: Integrity toys
Shopping bag and sunglasses: ITFDS
Above is the mood board going forward into the next week of posts. One of my favorite places on the planet to visit is NYC. Specifically I LOVE visiting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Frick Collection art museum and Laduree ( which happens to be just around the corner from The Frick). I give all the credit to this trifecta of NYC loveliness to my sistah friend Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture who used to be Young Fellow of the Frick and encouraged me to explore it when I was in NYC for my daughter’s Carnegie Hall performance ( yes, proud Mom name dropping ). It is truly a jewel box of a museum. That love of museum hopping in NYC and the new love for these mini portraits plus some stellar fashions I have recently added to my collection have Inspired the next couple of blog posts. I hope you enjoy them as much I have enjoyed creating, styling and shooting them.
–Rebecca
NBDCC 2019- The OOAK Parties
Many collectors show up days in advance of the actual start of convention to take part in room shopping and to participate in the One of A Kind (OOAK) parties by various artists. There is a rich and varied pool of artists that repaint and redress Barbie in haute couture. It’s one of my favorite parts of convention to be honest and I was honored to be allowed to photograph many of the shows. I apologize in advance for the shows I did not cover…namely Ninimomo. There were simply not enough hours in the day and too many amazing artists to photograph. I encourage you to scrounge the internet to find images of Nick and Marie’s amazing creations. They are not to be missed.
I have put the full set of images on my Flickr ( you can find the link on my sidebar…too the right on your screen) I have included a few of my favorite shots here.
The collection was sublime as always. Such a pleasure to see and be able to photograph these lovely pieces of art.
This year the talented duo of Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi payed tribute to the history of Barbie. They reimagined all the famous and popular looks of Barbie from her 1959 beginnings up through the current day. It was a thorough and imaginative collection with some truly stellar examples of couture Barbie.
Madame du Barbie interpretation
And the original…
Malibu Barbie interpretation
and the original…
Roman Holiday interpretation
and the original…
Every piece was a work of art!!! And lucky me…my number was chosen early and I got to come home with this lovely!!
Evening Splendor interpretation
and the original…
Another show that many collectors will show up early to ensure they won’t miss these works of art.
So many artist dolls to enjoy and photograph!! My cup runneth over 
Again, if you want to see the full set of images, head over to my flickr. All photos from the OOAK parties will be there by end of the day.
–Rebecca
NBDCC 2019–Let It Begin!!!
I have just returned from the National Barbie Doll Collector Convention which was held in Kansas City, Missouri. It was a big year this year as it is Barbie’s 60th birthday. The actual convention began on Wednesday, July31st but most avid collectors show up as early as the Sunday before to take advantage of amazing room shopping. Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and I opened on Monday for room sales. Here are a few of the shots of what we had available in our room.
Hilda’s exclusives for room shopping and sales room
And some fun eyewear and neck scarves from me….
Needless to say, we hit the ground running upon landing in Kansas City on Sunday 
Stay tuned….more blog posts on ooak designer parties and convention events coming up!!
–Rebecca
2018 NBDCC–Magia2000 OOAK Event
On Tuesday, Magia2000 unveiled their convention collection and it did not disappoint. This collection paid tribute to couture collections and designers of the past and present. All of the big couture houses were represented…Dior, Valentino, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, YSL and the list goes on. The collection sold out in the hours it was up for bid and purchase. Many lucky collectors whose numbers were called early walked away happy campers.
Mario and Gianni also included inspiration photos next to each doll. I always love to see what inspires an artist to create.
The attention to detail by these two artists is really amazing! It is a treat to just see these pieces of art let alone be able to purchase them.
The complete set of photos will be up on my Flickr account(link in the side bar to the right) in about and hour. I will be uploading after this post. Hope you all enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed viewing this collection and photographing it.
-Rebecca
Doll Photography and Blogging: The Set
This one is the fun one…or at least I think it is. It’s about the diorama photos and all those little details. If set building for a photo is not your thing…this might not be your favorite episode. For me, this is the joy of what I do…creating that story and scene. Hope you walk away with a new idea or way to make your photos or collecting more fun and meaningful.
Don’t forget to upgrade to hi-def and full screen in bottom right corner of video.
–Rebecca
Doll Photography and Blogging: Light
So I attempt to do every Friday but some days…it will be later. This weeks mini segment is about light and how important it is when taking an image. Hope you all enjoy! Don’t forget to click on the HD button in bottom right of video to get high quality video and use the other button in bottom right of screen to get full screen.
–Rebecca
The Elyse Chronicles: Red Sparrow
Ok…so I couldn’t just leave this Elyse with just a Barbie makeover shot. I also wanted to show her in a more sophisticated look than the white and black sundress she came in. I was having some difficulty coming up with a different look for her and received some inspiration from an unlikely place…the current book I was reading.
Model: Jason Wu 10th Anniversary Doll “Nordstrom Exclusive”
Dress, cape, shoes, jewelry: Star Power Vanessa by Integrity Toys
Hat: Dimitha
Muff: Bogue’s Vogues
–Rebecca
The Elyse Chronicles: The B Word
For this installment of the Elyse Chronicles and my homage to the 10th Anniversary Jason Wu dolls, I’m using the Nordstrom’s Elyse. This doll was an exclusive release from the upscale retailer Nordstrom.
Ok come on….when the first images of this doll were released…even though many of us are Integrity Toys collectors…we all thought it…Barbie.
She looks a whole like like Miss Babs with the hairstyle and bright red lips, nails and toes. Given that, I just had to do this next set of photos. I just had to.
–Rebecca
Doll Photography and Blogging: Equipment
Here is the next installment of this presentation. Hope you guys find some useful info here. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the questions in the comment section of this blog post. Don’t forget to select HD and full screen in bottom right hand corner of video to get best quality.
–Rebecca
The Elyse Chronicles: La Vie en Rose
The first doll released from the Jason Wu 10th Anniversary collection was the La Vie en Bleu Elyse. The option to purchase her was given to each 2016 Integrity Toys Convention attendee.
So in keeping with the theme I started, since she came to us originally in an evening look, I thought to put her in a daywear look. I looked no further than a new uber chic suit I received from Etsy designer and seller HoangAnhKhoi.
And what blog post called “La Vie en Rose” could not include a link to this…
