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
OOAK Doll Festival–Saturday Night Dinner
After the excitement of the mornings design challenge, festival attendees had lunch on their own and an afternoon to shop some more in the sales room or have some well deserved free time. We were all anticipating the final evening event of the festival – The Diamond Jubilee diner featuring a tribute to Ninimomo. The super talented Ninimomo team of Nik Moronese and Marie Lebreton shared a fun video of their design process and a tribute to their loyal fans.
Then it was time to vote, judge and announce the winner of the “Make your own OOAK” design challenge.
The judges convened for a decision
First and Second Runner ups..
And the winner….drum roll please…was our own Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World!!!! with this stunning entry…
Congratulations Rogier!!
Another highlight of the evening was the collection of past Ninimomo OOAK dolls brought by collectors.
Attendees were asked to vote on their favorite….and here she is.
There were some fabulous table centerpieces!
And they were all slightly different….same outfit but different dolls for each. I thought that was really inventive and cool.
After a fantastic diner, it was time to unveil the Ninimomo convention doll. Each attendee received this one too. Yes people!! TWO official dolls for this festival.
Rocky received a special much deserved OOAK gift from Nik and Marie as well.
It was an amazing evening and total icing on an already amazing cake of a doll festival. Recap and final thoughts and thank-you post coming up tomorrow.
—Rogier and Rebecca
OOAK Doll Festival–Friday’s Day Events
Friday started with a new and interesting activity. The Unconventional Materials Challenge. Attendees were challenged to create a OOAK dress using things you don’t normally use in couture. Think, plastic, food, paper etc.… We all started with the same basic white short sheath.
We were given a couple of hours to creative a OOAK using these unconventional materials. I have to be honest…this is not in my wheelhouse but let me just tell you…this was definitely in Rogier’s wheelhouse and many other attendees.
See the master at his craft…
Rogier’s final creation that made it into the final! Keep reading to see how he did.
Here are some more creative entries for this event.
A handful of OOAK designs were chosen by a talented panel of designer judges. The final winner would be announced at dinner that night. Anticipation was high and this had to have been one of the most joyful events I have attended at a convention. As you created, you chatted and joked with your tablemates and those of other tables. It was such a fun and creative way to spend the morning with fellow collectors.
This was not the only creative challenge that would be asked of festival attendees. At this unconventional challenge we were shown the doll we were all going to be customizing at another OOAK competition on Saturday. To get us ready for this challenge, the festival held a workshop to show us some techniques
It was led by the talented duo of Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and Marie Lebreton of Ninimomo.
After lunch on our own, it was time to shop in the sales room!
-Rebecca and Rogier
OOAK Doll Festival–A Sneak Peek at Live Auction
Just a note of explanation to start of the rest of the blog posts from this amazing festival. Rogier and I work well together as a team. For the past year I have reported for him while he was at European conventions and he has reported for me while I was attending the events in the US. It is a brilliant system. We learned quickly that when we are both attending the same event….not so brilliant of a system. We apologize for the lateness of these reports as the festival ended less than a week ago but it was simply too busy to edit the images and report on events in a timely manner. Added to that….I had to go and catch the plague.
Now that I can breath again without hacking up a lung, We can finally report on events. Thank you all for being patient and understanding.
Now, at the opening gala of this festival, attendees were also able to view all of the amazing live auction items that would be available to bid on at Friday nights dinner.
Entry from Julia Lapshova of Julia’s Originals
From Judy O’Connel of Aponi Designs
From Matt Sutton
From Ninimomo
From Carlyle Neura of Mattel
From Magia 2000
And from the team of friends Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World, Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and Rebecca Berry of Inside The Fashion Doll Studio… a diorama of one of our favorite places!
–More coming of the sales room sneak peek….
I’ve Got a Golden Ticket
Today was the first official day of the OOAK Doll Festival!
We all received these personalized bags at registration. How cute are these!!
The first event was the Golden Gala Opening Reception. Each attendee received 21 golden tickets that they could enter into a raffles for a variety of OOAK dolls. Here is what was raffled off.
Festival attendees ended the evening with a sneak peek at the sales room for tomorrow. Many artists from around the world are selling in the sales room tomorrow. Rogier and I will be bringing you images of the designer collections and more images from many of the artists and their offerings.
Opening the Treasure Chest: “Tokyo Chic”
One of the things I enjoy most about The National Barbie Doll Collector Convention are the amazing One of a Kind (OOAK) artists that bring their creations to the convention. Most of them sell at private shows or in their rooms in the days leading up to the official start of the convention. Many collectors, including myself, go up to 4 days early to convention so they can attend these private parties and see what kind of OOAK creations they can add to their collections. For some collectors, these OOAK’s are the focus of their collection. There are so many talented artists within this community.
One such artist is Julia Lapshova of Julia Originals. I was lucky to get to her room early enough and purchased this lovely creation. Her attention to detail and tailoring is always extraordinary. I am so very happy to have Ms. Tokyo Chic in my personal collection. You can also follow Julia on Facebook.
“Tokyo Chic”
-Rebecca
Chinoiserie
Ok…so many of you readers realize I am a little obsessed with my new Jon Copeland-Childers Poppy Parker repaint right? Another thing I was recently obsessed with was this pink chinoiserie backdrop I did. The apple green eyes of this lovely model inspired this setting and the chance to use this amazing backdrop. Hope you enjoy!
Model: Lash Out Poppy Parker repainted by Jon Copeland-Childers
* Poppy Parker has been re-bodied on an FR2 “FR White” body*’
Gown: Joe Tai
Jewelry: Integrity Toys Rare Appearance Dania
Backdrop: Chinoiserie wrapping paper I found ages ago
Chaise Lounge: Petit Luxury Couch ( repainted in silver/gold)
Flooring: marble contact paper
miniatures: Rement
Miniature Maltese: AnnaRyasnova on Etsy
-Rebecca
A New Muse
Last week, Integrity Toys and David Buttry gave us an amazing Poppy Collection. In the same week I received, from SeloJSpa, my latest repaint from Jon Copeland-Childers. The second I opened this one up, I knew I was going to be obsessed for a while. Jon, I don’t know how you do it, but you continue to surprise, delight and amazing me. Since David Buttry left me dreaming of Poppy Parker in Paris, I simply couldn’t wait to take her there.
Model: Lash Out!, Poppy Parker repainted by Jon Copeland-Childers
* note* Poppy has been rebodied onto a FR2 FR white body
Gloves: Poppy Parker black gloved hands
Suit and purse: Fashions by Shane
Jewelry:Traveling Incognito Poppy Parker
Beret: Integrity Toys Monogram “Escapade”
Shoes: Idol Worship Kyori
Dog: Randall Craig poodle
The eyes in this image are almost reptilian. I took the shot and just went whoah…that’s a cover.
-Rebecca
IDC 2016 – A Magia 2000 Dinner
I am guest blogging for my friend and fellow blogger Rogier of Dutch Barbie World again. On Friday, Rogier flew to Milan for the 2016 Italian Doll Convention.
The Convention does not officially begin until Saturday morning but a few collectors were able to enjoy a special dinner with the co-creators of Magia2000 and the hosts of the Italian Doll Convention, Mario and Gianni. Rogier has supplied some stellar photos and pieces of info from that dinner.
There was a lovely collection of OOAK Magia 2000 dolls done especially for the IDC and they were unveiled at the dinner. Mario and Gianni also debuted their new fragrance!
A beautiful table awaited approximately 30 guests.
And a special collection of beautiful dolls with the theme of “nude” awaited excited collectors.
More information coming tomorrow from IDC 2016. Stay tuned….
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 