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
BFMC Blush and Gold Arrives
This morning the Barbie Collector website was updated to release images of this new addition to the Silkstone BFMC 2017 collection. Now..here is where I would say “BFC members were given a sneak peak of this one a month ago” but…I can’t say that as there is no official Barbie Fan Club as of the posting of this blog report. Let’s face the facts folks…the BFC may not be coming back. This makes me sad but I can’t pretend I and many others didn’t see the writing on the wall a long time ago. With all the troubles on their website, crazy no win treasure hunts, questionable business practices ( {cough}, camel coat, {cough}) the demise of the BFC doesn’t surprise me at all. Oh and there is also this little factoid. Mattel stock fell off a cliff a couple weeks ago due to abysmal earnings. Way worse than what was expected…never a good thing for a publically traded stock.
This is just me speculating here but..all of these bits and pieces point to bad news for the Barbie Fan Club and the future of Barbie Collector. How much longer before the current Barbie Collection website is rolled into the new Mattel website? Bye Bye collector forums.
So, with that “Debbie Downer” opener, lets talk about the latest release Mattel DID in fact give collectors today.
Blush & Gold Cocktail Dress Barbie® Doll
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 5/08/2017
Retail: $100.00 !!! yes, you saw it correctly
That is one hefty price tag for a shorter dress and basic accessories ( no jewelry folks and a plastic purse). I am also not wowed by the facial screening in these images. I do realize however that she may look a lot better IRL so there is always that hope. But..as they say….a picture tells a thousand words. Do these images sell a $100 dollar doll? Not too sure about that. I think more than anything, my question for Mattel’s Barbie Collector BFMC personnel is “ Does your lack of communication, perks for your customers(BFC), and general disorganized product roll out encourage collectors to want to buy?”
Debbie Downer out….
First Silkstone of 2017 Coming Soon
It looks like these images are up on the Barbie Collection website so I will share them here too. The first Silkstone of 2017 will be available tomorrow!! While I am not a fan of this articulated body, I still love the look of this first offering.
I find it very interesting that these images are available but no news on the Barbie Fan Club for 2017 is up and available yet. Word is 03/31/2017. Let’s just say, I will believe it when I see it. In the mean time, there are images and a price point for this silkstone to mull over.
Black & White Tweed Suit Barbie® Doll
Gold Label
Designer:Robert Best
Release Date: 03/27/2017 ( release doesn’t always mean available people…just sayin’)
Price: $75.00
Love the redhead! Love the suit and Hermes inspired Kelly bag. The hat…hmmmm…will have to see. Happy that this lady has earrings! I have to be honest…I am shocked we don’t have any new information on the BFC yet…just some vague information that it would be coming out by 03/31/2017. I will be adding this beauty to my collection, club or no club.
-Rebecca
More Silkstone News!!
So right after I posted yesterday, Mattel posted new images of the BFC exclusive Silkstone for 2016. We have all had a gander at the sketch for many months and many of us had a chance to see the doll in person at the NBDCC 2016. Here are a few images I took of her at NBDCC
And here is the information and official pictures
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 10/12/2016
Retail: $100.00
- Body Type: Posable Silkstone®
- Facial sculpt:
- Fashion Sewn On: No
- Fashion: Pink satin gown with flowing organza train
- Accessories: Black satin opera gloves, chandelier earrings
She is a BFC exclusive which means you need to be a BFC member to purchase.
Things to take note of….The IRL doll at NBDCC was sporting pink shoes not black and the fabric on the IRL doll did not show the same kind of fabric as the promo shots are indicating. Just trying to keep it real folks and set expectations appropriately. You be the judge but to these eyes, the ruffle material on the promo shots looks like it lays very nicely, whereas the IRL doll at NBDCC did not. The beading also looks very different but there are always differences between the promo shots and the actual production doll. The difference here is that the production doll was actually seen BEFORE the promo shots so, it feels kind of humorous to me. It’s like saying “ Yeah…this is what we could have done…but….we didn’t”
All else being held equal, I’m still buying the doll. She is a platinum updo with a pink gown…of course I’m buying. Whether or not I feel very good about it is another thing. I have a hard time supporting a company who is making some really unfortunate decisions regarding their collector line. I find it hard to plug a product in this blog when I have a very real concern for the direction of this Mattel division.
-Rebecca
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.
The Power of Pink Rises Again
I can’t describe the power of this color in my life. It is a color that just makes me happy. I confess, if I see a dress or gown in this color, I am immediately drawn to it. I seem to fall for the pale pinks more so than the more vibrant hues but If it is pink, I’m interested. For those of you who follow my instagram feed ( and soon to add Instagram stories too!!), you will have seen that I added these babies to my shoe collection.
The color just makes me happy. So it will come as no surprise that I recently took receipt of some pink gowns. They are from a relatively new designer in the doll arena and I am pleased to be adding his pieces to my collection.
Model: 2016 NBDCC Convention Doll
Gown and earrings: Rimdoll on Etsy
Shoes: 2016 NBDCC Convention Doll
Oh the yummy pink sparklyness of this!! By the way, I completely blame Wholeeah for this gown ( follow her on Flickr or Instagram) because it was her phenomenal pictures of this dress on a Matt Sutton OOAK that got me running to buy it. This gown came with a little gift of earrings. Always a nice touch and it is well tailored and shipped very quickly. I have more of this designer’s work to show you!
** note** The sleeves are a little long on this model because this dress was made to fit the FR2 body. I just decided I wanted a Silkstone to model it first.
-Rebecca
Eden Wears It Better
No disrespect to the fine talents of Mr. Best and Mattel but…I think Eden from Integrity Toys wears this one better.
And yes people…this silkstone’s shoes will fit the Nu.Face model here….barely but it works. I am still trying to figure out if I like the swirl curl bang thing on her forehead. 
-Rebecca
Classic Cocktail Dress Arrives
My trusted dealer Barb of Windy City Dolls sent one of these lovelies out as soon as she received them. She isn’t even up on the BC website yet. It looks like she will retail for $100.00
So what am I thinking?? Hmmmm. Well, I like the gown and the little pearl embellishments are delightful. Her face is sweet and I like the silvery lilac eye shadow. The lashes seem a bit spikey to me but not a huge problem. I love the little pearl drop earrings. The hair on mine was a bit of a fixer upper. The curls on top are soft so when you remove the hairnet, you will get some flyaway hair. Not super crisp curls but not a deal breaker in my opinion.
The dress is a strapless gown with a little crop top overlay that snaps in the back. She comes with a white slip underneath too. Considering the quality of some of the other outfits we have seen from BFMC lately, this one is pretty good. I mean we get earrings, pantyhose, a slip and a fairly well constructed dress. It’s up to you as collectors to decide if that is worth the price. I have to be honest and say, I am not a fan of this new body. The flexibility ( or lack thereof) in the wrist joint is a major problem. I do, however, love the elegant pose of the hand. I just wish it bent so I could comfortably put her hand on her waist. My other issue with this doll are the very flimsy shoes. The heal is very pliable so it bends under the weight of the doll when she is on her stand.
Is Miss Classic Cocktail Dress a keeper at ITFDS? Time will tell. I am anxious to see how she redresses then I will make my final decision.
-Rebecca
Barbie and Oscar
No, Barbie isn’t stepping out on Ken but she has been spending a whole lot of time with Oscar de la Renta recently. In the past week, Mattel released the ODLR Bride Barbie through dealers and their Barbie collection website.
Oscar de la Renta Barbie® Doll
©2016 Mattel
This past week, Barbie has also been exhibiting an definite Oscar de la Renta affinity. If you are a fan of the @Barbiestyle Instagram account, you may have noticed quite a few ODLR designs making an appearance.
This one is my favorite….
Wish we could get this suit produced!! Here is the inspiration I think.. Oscar de la Renta PreFall 2016 collection
As Barbie enjoyed the Tribeca Film Festival this pastt week….
And from the Oscar de la Renta Pre Fall 2016 collection
Barbie also enjoyed some time in New York City prior to the the film festival…
And another look straight off the catwalk, from the ODLR spring 2016 runway.
Last but certainly not least…this weekend at Grant a Wish Convention, the 2016 Silkstone BFMC exclusive was debuted. Her name is City Chic Suit. Here she is… A big Thanks to Aleshia Hunley for letting me use her photos {Hugs}. No information on when she will be available or what her price will be.
Hmmmmmm….not sure about this one folks. The drawing is divine. The production…not so much. I guess it will depend on the price point but I’m thinking…..Pass. The inspiration for this one also seems to also be Oscar de la Renta. This time we go to the 2016 Resort collection of ODLR.
-Rebecca
The Silkstone Dream
Ok so maybe this is just my Silkstone Barbie dream but I know a number of other collectors share this one. Have you ever seen one of Robert Best’s sketches and thought to yourself…ohhhhh, I wish they had produced that one. I know I have said that on numerous occasions. For us redressers out here in collector land, many times it’s a “ I wish they had produced that outfit!”
Well collectors, I have what might be a real treat for some…how about the ability to put some of those longed for outfits on Miss Debut Silkstone? Would that be something people are interested in? I know I was!! A huge thanks to Miss Missy and her delightful blog Miss Missy Paper Dolls for adapting this sketched doll and outfits from Mr. Best’s original works.
I made the picture above by combining a number of parts of the paper doll set on Miss Missy’s blog and a Photoshop brush by Elbereth de Lioncour on deviantart. You can find the entire set of paper dolls here or I have posted another link at the bottom of this blog entry. I had so much fun playing around with the combinations in this set. There are 18 different outfits in all! I really liked the outfits that were never produced but that we have enjoyed through Robert Best’s sketches.
I am going to post the link but first…read this! These works are derivatives of Mr. Best’s work but still under his copyright. This means…YOU CAN NOT COPY AND SELL THESE PEOPLE. These paper dolls and all corresponding images are for personal use only!
-Rebecca
