The Iris Apfel Barbie dolls are coming!

Back in March of this year, Mattel made a Barbie doll to honour Iris Apfel, the fashion icon extraordinaire that has defined her own particular look of multicoloured chic for ages. That was an OOAK doll but it was announced that a series of dolls would follow. And here they are, making their fist appearance at HSN online store, as part of her Rara Avis (rare bird) Collection. They look very Iris, even though the original OOAK had a better outfit. Each costs $30,00 and I’ll try to get them when they appear in shops selling outside the US. Below are the first photos and descriptions of the two dolls as they appear on HSN. 

Barbie® Dolls Iris Apfel Jacquard Look Doll

Chic. Inspirational. Original. Iconic! This must-have Barbie® doll captures the style and spirit of design legend Iris Apfel in all her glory. From her signature specs to her sophisticated suit, she's sure to become a favorite collectable for Barbie®lovers of all ages.

What You Get

• Barbie® Doll - Includes glasses, medallion necklace, chain necklace, 2 cuffs, 4 bangles and loafers
• Doll stand
• Certificate of Authenticity

• Contains small parts
• For ages 6 and up

Doll measures: Approx. 11"L

Country of Origin: Indonesia

Features

Styled by Iris Apfel

• Celebrate the vitality, wit and unwavering fashion sense of a true original
• One of the most dynamic personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles and interior design, Iris Apfel is a genuine fashion icon

• With looks from the designer's Rara Avis collection
• Doll wears a floral-patterned brocade suit with striped blouse, plus a bright lip
• Chic accessories include Iris' signature oversized black glasses and layered necklaces and bracelets

Barbie® Dolls Iris Apfel Faux Fur Doll

Chic. Inspirational. Original. Iconic! This must-have Barbie® doll captures the style and spirit of design legend Iris Apfel in all her glory. From her signature specs to her faux fur vest and statement-making pants, she's sure to become a favorite collectable for Barbie® lovers of all ages.

What You Get

• Barbie® Doll - Includes glasses, medallion necklace, chain necklace, 2 cuffs, 4 bangles and loafers
• Doll stand
• Certificate of Authenticity

• Contains small parts
• For ages 6 and up

Doll measures: Approx. 11"L

Country of Origin: Indonesia

Features

Styled by Iris Apfel

• Celebrate the vitality, wit and unwavering fashion sense of a true original
• One of the most dynamic personalities in the worlds of fashion, textiles and interior design, Iris Apfel is a genuine fashion icon

• With looks from the designer's Rara Avis collection
• Doll wears a multi-hued faux fur vest over a black turtleneck and fringed bell bottoms, plus a bright lip
• Chic accessories include Iris' signature oversized black glasses, a multi-strand "pearl" necklace and bracelet cuff

Above is the OOAK Iris Apfel doll pictured with another OOAK Barbie wearing Gucci and styled like Iris. 

Above is Iris and her doll miniature at her Accidental Icon book presentation back in spring 2018.  Book and OOAK doll shown below.

Rodarte designs for Barbie - but it’s not for sale

Designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy are the latest designers working with @BarbieStyle to create OOAK designs, inspired from their Spring 2018 collection. W magazine reported:

"We were very excited as we have always loved Barbie," said Kate Mulleavy. Added Laura, "We always loved all of her accessories, especially her shoes. We played with the dolls [growing up] and made fashion collections for them all the time! We even created runway shows with our Barbie dolls."

Rodarte used four designs from their spring 2018 collection that was shown in Paris in June 2017. Then they worked with the Mattel team to choose looks and fabrications that would translate in doll scale. The dolls modeling the outfits use different body types and skin colors.

The designs, debuted Wednesday on @BarbieStyle's Instagram account. I love the attention to detail, even down to the miniature baby-breaths as used in the real runway. The dolls are one-of-a-kind and not available for purchase. Would you like to see them produced?

All doll photos by Mattel. Runway photos from Vogue Runway, Kim WestonArnold / Indigital.tv 

A very sad day for the doll community

Today is a very sad day for people in the doll community. Margaret Matsui from My Favourite Doll passed away. She was not only the face of MFD and one of the most favourite doll dealers but was actively engaged in the doll community and conventions, even hosting the first two Fashion Royalty conventions in Canada. W Club sent this lovely note:

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Integrity Toys and the W Club’s long-time friend and dealer, Margaret Matsui of My Favourite Doll.Marg had been privately battling cancer and leaves behind her best friend, husband and business partner, Rick, to whom she has been together with for 44 years and married for 36 years, and two loving sons. Rick and the family will continue to run the business and provide the outstanding service that MFD has always been known for, although Marg will always remain the face of My Favourite Doll.Marg was a dear friend of and collaborator with Integrity Toys, as well as an important fixture in the doll collecting community. She was an initial supporter of Fashion Royalty and co-organizer of the first two conventions with Alain, as well as a presence working at many others. She was kind, generous and a wonderful spirit and will be greatly missed by all.In lieu of flowers or cards, per Marg’s wishes, you may consider making a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in Marg’s name at:

http://www.cancer.ca/en/get-involved/support-us/give-a-gift-in-memory-or-in-honour/?region=on

We are sorry to have to deliver this news and join those of you who knew Marg in mourning her loss.

The W Club Liaisons

My thoughts are with her family and friends. May they live long to remember her. Rest in peace Margaret.

Ru Paul dolls are back again! Shantey, you stay!

RuPaul announced on Instagram, just in time for Jason Wu's birthday, that the RuPaul doll’s are making a comeback! Then social media were buzzing with the news, and sure enough, the company email arrived. Integrity Toys, in collaboration with Jason Wu, is launching a new limited edition series of dolls based on the likeness of Ru Paul. The first series was released thirteen years ago, before RuPaul became a household name with Drag Race. It’s a bit surprising that the comeback took so long.

You can already pre-order the very first doll in the new series, named "Kitty Gurl Pink". The new doll was designed by Jason Wu himself. It has a new articulated body sculpt, uses the same sculpt that the original doll’s used, has two new hand sculpts made for this and has feet that match Fashion Royalty feet, so they can share shoes. 

So, who is RuPaul? For those of you living under a rock, RuPaul is an American drag queen, singer and actor known for such TV shows as 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and 'RuPaul's Drag U'. He was born RuPaul Andre Charles on November 17, 1960, in San Diego, California. RuPaul eventually took his crossdressing persona to stages in Atlanta and New York with bands and as a dancer. In the early 1990s, he landed a record contract and released his first album, Supermodel of the World, while also starting a career in acting. On the strength of his TV shows, including RuPaul's Drag Race, and his oversized personality, RuPaul has become a pop culture icon. (Reference from Biography.com).

Click below to view the surprise video announcement featuring RuPaul himself announcing the return of everyone's favorite officially licensed collectible doll series made into his likeness.

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Kitty Gurl Pink will retail at $145.00 + shipping for the general public (see link in a previous paragraph). A portion of the entire edition size (which is 1000 dol’s) has been reserved for W Club members and is being offered via a "right-to-buy" lottery at the special members-only price of $135.00 + shipping and handling (Lottery deadline is October 9th, noon ET). While the general public and W Club members alike may pre-order the doll starting immediately on a first-come, first-served basis (until that portion of the edition size sells out) using the link published on Integritytoys.com and social media, W Club members can enter and be randomly selected to win in the right-to-buy lottery in order to obtain the specially reduced, members-only pricing.

Item # 14102

Kitty Gurl Pink

The RUPAUL Doll™

Approx. Ship Date: Early November 2018

W Club Special Right-to-buy Lottery Pricing: $135.00 + Shipping

General Public Pricing:$145.00 + Shipping

This doll is expected to ship in early November 2018 (payment in full is expected at pre-order time since the doll will be shipping within, more or less, 30 days after the payment date).

Edition Size: 1000

Head Sculpt: RuPaul

Body Type: New Special Body Type

Foot Type: High-heeled (Compatible with FR Shoes)

Skin Tone: Light Honey

Hair Color: Snow White

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

 Includes:

• 12.5-inch/1:6 scale, fully articulated, vinyl collectible doll, rooted hair and delicately hand-applied eyelashes;
• Elaborate micro-sequined stage gown designed by Jason Wu;
• Shoes;
• Earrings;
• Opera glasses;
• Pair of hands with long manicured nails (New hand sculpt!);
• Alternate pair of grip hands (New hand sculpt!);
• Doll stand;
• Certificate of authenticity.

I preordered the doll the moment I got the email. I figured that, even though it is a large edition, the $10 difference is not that much to make me enter a lottery. I love both doll and outfit. The eyes look a bit different than the older release, but the doll still looks like RuPaul. And a Jason Wu dress! And opera glasses! Fabulous!

The doll pictured is a prototype. Final colors and textures may vary slightly in final production. For adult collectors ages 15 and up. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.The RuPaul likeness and logo are designated trademarks of RuCo, Inc. ©2018 All rights reserved. Used with permission.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.