National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention 2018 dolls: all kinds of new!

The National Barbe Doll Collectors Convention took place in Phoenix, Arizona, from July 11th to July 14th. I don’t have any experience in covering this event and usually their convention dolls are not favourites. This year though, things changed. The convention dolls changed. In a major way. And all thanks to Carlyle Nuyera, one of Mattel’s designers. He had the task to design this year’s convention dolls and, imho, did an amazing job. Let’s read what he has to say about them.

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“Presenting ‘On The Avenue’ Barbie, the 2018 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention Doll! A few firsts for a Convention Doll; the first Curvy Convention Doll, the first Fashion gift set convention doll and the first convention doll designed by me! When I was designing the convention doll and knew that the theme was ‘On The Avenue’, my mind went to the Fashion Avenue line from the 90s, what I played with as a kid. I wanted to design a doll that allowed for one of Barbie’s earliest and purest play patterns; fashion play! Dressing your Barbie, mixing & matching pieces, styling her to create a lewk.

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On The Avenue Barbie comes with silver earrings, a pastel organza top that ties in the front with long tails, a shimmering champagne organza ball gown skirt with architectural draping, a black sparkly knit bodysuit (perfect for #Beyoncé #SingleLadies lewks 👯‍♀️), a knee length skirt with layers of silver foiled pewter mesh and silver lamé, a pair of black t-strap heels and a pair of cream strappy heels!

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I also want to always be forward thinking in my design approach. I wanted this Barbie to be a Collector example of how inclusive Barbie is now in terms of body type, so I designed her to use the Curvy Collector body that I first designed for Madam LaVinia Barbie. And you already knowww I love unusual face sculpts, so I used the Selma & Daria sculpts painted with side glancing eyes (#shemysterious 😜) and a beauty mark. Hope you all love her and have fun playing!”

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I read a lot of positive comments about the dolls on social media, both from attendees and from non-attendees alike. The most amazing ones were from people that recognised themselves in the dolls, people with normal bodies, people of colour, ordinary people. On the other hand, lots of collectors were disappointed that the dolls were not more high fashion styled, more glamorous looking and more embellished.

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My take? I love them, and I rarely like Barbie convention dolls. They are very chic and stylish, with both outfits reminding me of Isaac Mishrahi’s early collections, where he was combining full evening skirts with knit sporty tops in an way only US designers can do.

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I love that they are not in the usual model muse or Silkstone body, the stiff, frozen, high fashion style body that people are used to receiving in Barbie conventions. But taking a look in most worldwide Barbie conventions, I like these two best. By far. Great job Carlyle and well done Mattel. Please give us more like these.

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All Barbie photos courtesy of Mattel and Carlyle Nuyera.

IFDC 2018 - four new Poppy Parker dolls unveiled!

The IFDC convention took place from 27 till 30 of June 2018 in Las Vegas. This year, as usual, Integrity Toys made the convention and companion doll’s as well as the centerpiece plus one more IT Direct doll- and they were all Poppy Parker dolls! They were unveiled late Saturday night by the company team, another small collection created by the talented David Buttry. Every attendee also received a table gift from Integrity Toys, an exclusive Poppy scaled guitar designed just for the event. The four dolls make a very coherent group, all hippie themed, appropriately enough for the psychedelic theme of the convention. I like the variety of skintones and styles, even though a Darla with a big afro would have looked better than another black Poppy. They have different feet between them, the first has the high heeled foot, while the rest of them have the articulated foot to better match their shoe style. Always remember that lower legs are interchangeable and can pop out to be replaced with another type, if you desire. Regarding the new hand sculpts introduced for this collection: meh. They have no use than maybe one or two poses and that’s it. Plus they do not look as realistic as her normal hands, but more cartoony and almost weirdly squished. What do you think?

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Since the number of dolls made is larger than the attendees, the remainder is to be available through lottery to W Club members only. So if you are not a member, you will have to try the secondary market for them. The lottery will be held approximately in ten days and members have until the 25th of July to pay the dolls. Let’s see the dolls that were presented.

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Item # PP133

Free Spirit

Poppy Parker™

2018 IFDC IT Direct Exclusive Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $160.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 500

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy 1.5

Foot Sculpt: Industry high heel foot

Skin Tone: FR Black

Hair Color: Black/brown mix

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
  • Fashion (Bell bottom low-cut jeans, paisley printed cropped-top with lace-up detail and bell sleeves)
  • Cork sandals
  • Faux-suede purse with fringe detail
  • Jewelry set (necklace, earrings and ring)
  • Large brimmed hat
  • Pair of regular hands
  • Alternate "peace sign" hand
  • Alternate "I love you sign" hand
  • Doll stand
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I like this one, although, as mentioned earlier, a Darla with a huge afro would have looked better for me. Doll and outfit are great and would make a nice addition to the collection. Love the hat, it is very Jacquemus and will match other summer styles well. I’m still undecided about which doll I will enter the lottery for, but this one is ahead at the moment.

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Item # PP132

Peace of My Heart

Poppy Parker™

2018 IFDC Companion Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $160.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 500

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy 1.5

Foot Sculpt: Industry articulated foot

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Auburn

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
  • Fashion (Empire waist, pleated chiffon mini-dress)
  • Knee-high lace-up sandals
  • Sunglasses
  • Faux-leather shoulder purse
  • Jewelry set (peace sign necklace, hoop earrings and "mood" ring)
  • Large sun hat
  • Pair of regular hands
  • Alternate "peace sign" hand
  • Alternate "I love you sign" hand
  • Doll stand
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A beautiful girl with lovely colouring and a cute outfit. The hat and sandals are again great. I’m a bit on the fence for this one as I already have the Swinging London Poppy that has the same hairstyle but more intense red hair and paler make up. Hmmmm...

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Item # PP130

Time of the Season

Poppy Parker™

2018 IFDC Centerpiece Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $160.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 350

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy 1.5

Foot Sculpt: Industry articulated foot

Skin Tone: FR White

Hair Color: Light blonde

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
  • Fashion (long-sleeved printed satin dress and fringed faux-suede vest)
  • Pink fishnet stockings
  • Kitten-heel faux-suede shoes
  • Jewelry set (earrings and ring)
  • Pair of regular hands
  • Alternate "peace sign" hand
  • Alternate "I love you sign" hand
  • Doll stand
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This was the centerpiece doll so her edition is the smallest, only 350 dolls. I’m not entering for this one, the dress print reminds me of a couple of previous dresses and her colouring matches a couple of my Poppies too. Easy pass.

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Item # PP131

Summer of Love

Poppy Parker™

2018 IFDC Souvenir Doll

Approx. Ship Date: In-stock, ships once the lottery winners have paid

Retail: $175.00 + Shipping

Edition Size: 500

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Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy 1.5

Foot Sculpt: Industry articulated foot

Skin Tone: Hungarian

Hair Color: Ash blonde mix

Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

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Included:

  • 12" fully articulated doll with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes
  • Fashion (cream colored maxi length lace dress with halter-top and waist wrap)
  • Lace-up sandals
  • Flower-covered head piece
  • Handbag
  • Jewelry set (earrings and bracelets)
  • Pair of regular hands
  • Alternate "peace sign" hand
  • Alternate "I love you sign" hand
  • Doll stand
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If her hair colour was darker, she’d be a dead ringer for Lana Del Rey, flowers on the head etc.  She’s beautiful and has the Hungarian skintone that makes her different from blond Poppies with pale make up I have. Her earrings and bag are gorgeous. I’m not crazy about the dress though and the braids in her hair mean less versatility. 

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As I mentioned earlier, all IFDC attendees received an exclusive bonus souvenir gift, a 60's themed guitar designed to fit with this quartet of dolls. This accessory is not available online,but  there's a picture of the centerpiece doll with the guitar in-hand.

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The dolls pictured are prototypes. Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

All photos and information contained herein are copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY, FR: Nippon, Misaki and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.