Luciana Silkstone Barbie is Revealed

The latest Silkstone has been revealed by Mattel. She is Luciana Barbie, a doll shop and Barbie Collector Exclusive.  Retail price is $99.

She is not to my personal taste as I don't care for the huge forehead (or any other part of it.)  The suit with it's peplum jacket and flounced skirt is, once again, overly designed. Add in the boots, the lace gloves, the patterned fabric on top of all that and there's just too much going on. Did I mention the rhinestone buttons on the jacket, the big cuffs and giant pocket flaps, the buttoned up peter pan collar or the gathered shoulders? OMG.
Good designers don't put everything they possibly can into one ensemble and call it fashion...
unless it's in Gone With The Wind.

Even in this frilly dress, there's a control - it's all white. Can you imagine an overall flowery print and this dress? You would go blind.
But I digress. Apparently Robert Best is not at his best this year. Perhaps it's that his doppelganger doll has done so poorly with collectors.

But, if you like this doll - Cherished Friends, the best doll store on earth is carrying her and that's where you should buy it.
Tell Lynn that Terri sent you.

LINK to Cherished Friends

Nothing to Buy at Barbie Collector.Com

Three emails arrived from BC.Com yesterday. The first announced a free shipping offer.  The second was also about the free shipping and "Think Spring." The last came in near midnight and offered 20% off on Valentine's Day.  So I go over there, thinking I'll find something on which to spend my first quarterly $20. bonus only to find that the item which has a remotely attractive chance of coming here is a $75, unarticulated Barbie doll wearing a Zuhair Murad gown. $75.00? It's the designer name one is paying for.

I put it in my shopping cart and the $75. goes down to $55. but shipping is additional. WTF? It turns out that one must spend a minimum of $75. to get the free shipping. Isn't that a new thing? 
I did not order it.

I went back again later when I saw there was the new "Fiorella" Silkstone. I apologize to those who like her but this is one of the worst Silkstones ever. Fiorella is the definition of a hot mess. She looks like she got dressed in a thrift store with pieces thrown together from a shower curtain, a Spanish dancer, a street walker and a Cupie doll. What possessed the designer (Robert Best) to top it all  off with two cutesie bows in her hair? He must be losing it.

Her face is boring. That straight hairline is never my favorite and her hairstyle will never arrive like that IRL. This would definitely be throwing away $50. which is her price. Fiorella means little flower in Italian. Big mistake is more like it.

I wanted to spend money. I really did. I could always buy $75 worth of flimsy Barbie t-shirts. Nah.

I just figured out how to get the Zuhair Murad Doll and the free shipping without buying useless stuff. Well, maybe a little  useless. If I order three notecard sets @$15. each,  it brings my order up to $120. After the 20% off and my $20 bonus the total comes to $76.  Much better. I will use the notecards as gifts. It's a set of twelve 4"x6" folded cards with matching envelopes. I can freak out my Sybarite friends.

By my calculations, the Zuhair doll ultimately comes to $44. I'll sell the nude doll for about $15 and I'll  have a lovely gown. I just hope it's not covered in glitter. I'd better go take a look before I press the check out button. Ugh.

Oh crap. Look at this detail. It is glitter. I don't do glitter.

Why do I feel compelled to buy something when there's a sale? I saved money by not buying anything at all.

Video: Creating the Herve Leger Barbie

Cool to watch. 

http://www.herveleger.com/HERVE-LEGER-BARBIE/just-in-barbie-2013-capsule,default,sc.html

You can have your own similar dress for $1590. for the jacquard or $1290. for a similar red bandage dress.

25% off shop-wide for Barbie doll’s 54th

Sorry I'm a little late with this reminder but...today Barbie Collector is giving 25% off site-wide.
As I knew I would, I ordered Cocktail Dress Barbie. I hope she arrives looking as good as she does in the promotional photo.

Are you going to take advantage of the sale? If so, what will you get?

Anyone out there order Tribal Beauty? The zebra staff would be a fun prop!

New Barbie Doll Releases

 Classic TV Collection Designed by Bill Greening

"The Caped Crusader meets his match! From the original comics to the campy live action TV shows of the 1960s, in blockbuster movies and multiple animated series, the purr-fectly beguiling Catwoman toys with Batman while planning fantastic jewel heists with acrobatic skills and a seductive style. Ken and Barbie take on the roles of these famous DC Comics characters, with re-creations of two iconic costumes."

Batman Ken Doll $34.95

Catwoman Barbie^® Doll  $34.95

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The Wizard of Oz Collection Designed by Linda Kyaw

"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Judy Garland, the actress who portrayed Dorothy."

"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Billie Burke, the actress who portrayed Glinda."

The Wizard of Oz^™ Glinda The Good Witch $34.95

"This doll is sculpted in vinyl in the likeness of Margaret Hamilton, the actress who portrayed the Wicked Witch."

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$34.95 for a Pink Label doll whose arms and knees don't bend?

I'll get you and your creepy little Barbies.

Italian Doll Convention Charity - Fondazione Blu

Thirteen  OOAK dolls and doll items have been contributed for this year's Italian Doll Convention charity auction event which is underway on eBay. 

"Fondazion Blu in partnership with the Italian Doll Convention is proud to introduce this Charity Auction.

100% proceed will help Fondazione Blu Onlus and its Project Monobitan

With a free donation, you can support this project and sponsor a child's participation in educational and recreational activities within Monobitan Park.

Beneficiaries :Boys and girls in situations of hardship aged from 3 to 14 years.

Goal: Offering to all children from impoverished areas recreational and educational activities within the Monobitan Park - Calcutta.

The educational integration or reintegration programs are supplemented with activities held in this magnificent green oasis.

How: Groups of about 50 children are accompanied in the park and its facilities to supplement the educational process with days full of fun and games, as well as to get the children back in touch with the elements of nature."

If you want to learn more about Fondazione Blu and its mission go to http://www.fondazione-blu.org/

OOAK "Cytherah" doll by Paul Pham of Dolcis

OOAK "Green Gala in Milan" doll by Magia 2000

OOAK Tribute® Barbie doll designed by Robert Best

OOAK "My Heart, My Love" doll by Matt Sutton

OOAK "Queen of Nature" JAMIEshow doll by George Gonzalez & Magia2000

OOAK Audatious Chalk White Sybarites doll by Superfrock

There are wigs from Ilaria Mazzoni, a doll from Matt Trujillo, a stunning creation by Ninimomo and several others.

Robert Best Loves Valentino

Stratos sent me this image which is obviously the source of the Palm Beach Coral fashion. If anyone can find the full size image of the fashion and/or knows the date of the Valentino, please email it to me. (Note: date found.)

The silk serge gown with handpainted coral motif is from the Spring/Summer 1968 collection.

Photo: Ruven Afanador

Parisienne Pretty Barbie Doll

The latest Silkstone addition to my collection is wearing a lovely reproduction of the 1959 vintage Gay Parisienne fashion. With her navy blue & white polka dot taffeta bubble style dress and tulle hat Barbie wears long white gloves, navy ribbon pumps, navy pantyhose, a silver clutch with rhinestone clasp, pearl and rhinestone earrings, a rhinestone brooch and a rhinestone bracelet.

Parisienne Pretty is part of the "Since 1959" collection which commemorates famed vintage Barbie fashions re-invented for a new era. She was designed by Robert Best. The doll is available at select retailers. The prices I've seen range from a low of $99. to a high of $129.99. I recommend this doll as a beautiful addition to any Silkstone Barbie collection but shop around for your best price!

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In 2003, Mattel issued a Gay Parisienne reproduction as part of the collector's request series.

Here is the promotional text that went along with this item:

Sixth in the Collectors' Request™ Series, this Barbie® doll is a vinyl reproduction wearing a re-creation of the original 1959 fashion Gay Parisienne®. Barbie® looks chic in her classic dark blue bubble dress with tiny white polka-dots. Around her shoulders is a fabulous faux fur stole, and sitting atop her head is a sophisticated veiled headband hat. Accessories include a faux pearl necklace, golden velvety clutch, and navy open-toe shoes. Barbie® doll's demure vintage look is captured with lovely side-glancing eyes, red lipstick, painted finger and toenails, and a brunette ponytail with curled bangs.

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The original Barbie Outfit Gay Parisienne #964, issued in 1959 is pictured here (NRFB!!!) in a photograph by copyrighted by Denise Van Patten.

Denise writes: "Gay Parisienne was produced for one year only. This iconic vintage Barbie outfit consists of a bubble dress in blue with white dots and two bows (front and back), brown clutch, rabbit fur stone with white satin lining (if the lining is pink it is not from this set), veiled headband hat in tulle, long white gloves and deep blue open toe pumps,plus a strand of graduated pearls."

2009 Silkstones (So Far) & Marilyn Monroe Dolls

Debut™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection

This is a big, big year for Mattel and it's Barbie line. Barbie's 50th birthday was celebrated in a huge way at Fashion Week, in Bloomingdales and on-line with a great deal of promotional advertising. I don't consider myself a Barbie doll collector but I've been known to buy Silkstones on a fairly regular basis usually as a result of impulse in response to pretty pictures. (I know I'm not alone.)
I pre-ordered the Caucasian Debut Barbie without hesitation. She looked great. My one word bottom line review for her is 'meh.' She's too Caucasian in person. The entire area above her eyes is too broad and empty looking. The AA one is prettier. And the brunette from the Paris Doll Festival is very lovely. The things that look like sequins on her bathing suit are actually tiny pieces of glittery stuff that comes off on your hands and everything else.
She's not awful but on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (perfect), she ranks a 5.5.
But I couldn't NOT buy her because of the repro-look. She won't be voted off the island immediately.

The best of both worlds — vintage and modern — come together to celebrate Barbie® doll’s 50th anniversary! Robert Best has created an amazing interpretation of the original Barbie® doll from 1959, with a Silkstone® twist, of course! From the chic upswept ponytail to the sparkly black and white bathing suit to all the sensational accessories, this glamour girl will set tongues wagging. Gorg-eous! Designed by Robert Best.

AA Photo from BC Site
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Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll 2009 Gold Label™ Collection Barbie Fan Club Exclusive

Gal on The Go is the first of a series of Club Dolls being offered this year. She has a very pretty face and I like her short curly hair style. The quality is very good on this gal and the colors of the outfit and her screening are excellent with eachother. I give her an 8.

All work and no style play is not an option for today's woman as the office meets the runway. Gal On The Go™ Barbie® Doll wears an inspired take on 1960's fabulous Busy Gal™ ensemble. Recreated by Robert Best, this exquisite doll and fashion perfectly celebrate Barbie® doll's 50th anniversary.

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Southern Belle Barbie® Doll 2009

This lovely doll is called Southern Belle and is now my second all time favorite Silkstone after Provencale. I am thrilled with her delicate facial screening and beautiful hair. Her dress is nicely constructed and the heels on the shoes are not bent and curved like so many. Happily she does not come with a bent elbow left arm as shown in the promotional photos. This doll has my highest recommendation of the three. I'm giving her a rating of 10!

The “Since 1959” Collection commemorates famed vintage Barbie® fashions, re-invented for a new era! Gentle, ladylike, and oh-so-romantic, Barbie® doll looks lovely in a chic modern take on vintage fashion Plantation Belle™. A pale pink dress accented with delicate lace compliments the doll’s auburn bob and sophisticated face paint.

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The club rebate this quarter is $30. instead of $20. That's a nice surprise perk for club members. I was going to dive right in and get the new Marilyn Monroe doll who looks fantastic. But I decided to wait instead for the next club doll.

Barbie® Doll as Marilyn Monroe™ 2009 Pink Label™ Collection

This doll begins a new collection called The Blonde Ambition Collection which also includes an adorable Goldie Hawn doll. It is not the first time Mattel is reproducing the actress. In 1997 three Barbie dolls were released which portrayed Marilyn wearing some of her most famous fashions in "Barbie as Marilyn." The series consisted of two dolls from the movie "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and one from "The Seven Year Itch."
In 2002, Mattel released two dolls whose features are intended to portray Marilyn Monroe herself, in "Timeless Treasures Marilyn" One was a sad replica of the Happy Birthday gown and the other was a fashion from "How to Marry A Millionaire." It came with a second fashion.
There are other companies who have put out Marilyn Monroe dolls and if you are interested you might want to search them out on the web. I have made the names into links to websites that either feature, sell or discuss Marilyn Monroe dolls.
They are Tristar, World Doll, DSI, Franklin Mint and Madame Alexander. And then there is always eBay on which a search for Marilyn Monroe doll returned 189 results.

Two new Marilyn dolls due to arrive in July of this year are from Madame Alexander. One uses the 10" Cissettte body and is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Seven Year Itch. LE 350. I have a fondness for the general high quality of MA dolls. These little Cissette dolls are delightful and this one will find her way into my collection. I don't know if she has sleep eyes or if they are painted. But she's a cutie in the iconic white dress whose hem is wired so it looks like the wind is blowing it upwards. She's got her trademark beauty spot on her cheek. Adorable! We're looking at a Pre Order price in the $110 range.

The second Marilyn from Madame Alexander uses the 16" Alex body. This doll oozes glamour and is absolutely gorgeous dripping in 'diamonds.' She is called Marilyn Monroe Collection Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. LE 350. Pre Order price is about $145.
I want her!