More new Barbies released: from Blond Gold to Fantasy Oz

Three more fashion Barbies released in August by Mattel: Two are fashion designer specials and the third is a fashion fantasy interpretation of a beloved film classic. All available at the Barbie Collector website as direct exclusives.

The Blonds Blond Gold Barbie® Doll

The Blonds strike again. After their successful previous collaboration with Mattel, here is their new doll. She is wearing the outfit they designed for Kylie Minogue for the video clip of the song "Get Outta My Way" back in 2010, although the doll is not in her likeness. If she was, I might be tempted.

Let's see how Mattel describes the doll (which is quite pricey, at $150, a Gold Label release):

Inspired by Barbie®, imagined by The Blonds, the Blond Gold™ Barbie® doll glows in fashion riches. Incredible chain detail adorns her golden corset and metallic-woven cape and inspires her long earrings and golden armbands. Her unique doll stand is inspired by bars of bullion and creates the perfect pedestal for this golden diva.

Doll Details Body Type: ModelMuse™ Arms: New Left and Right Skin Tone: Tropic Tan Facial Sculpt: Lara Fashion Sewn On?: No Eyelashes: yes Included with doll: Stand, corset, shoes, arm cuffs, earrings, claw ring, cape. There is a limit of 5 dolls per order. 

© 2013 The Blonds LLC. All Rights Reserved. Direct Exclusives are currently available in the U.S. only from The Barbie™ Collection catalog or at TheBarbieCollection.com. For the adult collector. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

Stephen Burrows Alazne™ Barbie® Doll

Mattel has replaced Byron Lars with Stephen Burrows in designing African-inspired fashion dolls for them. The doll looks nice but the sequins on the dress are way off scale and it ruins the whole effect. Again it is a Gold Label doll with a high enough price tag, which for me, is not justified from what I can see.

This is the Mattel description of the doll:

So beautiful and glorious, her name is the Basque word for “miracle.” Stephen Burrows Alazne™ Barbie® doll wears a breathtaking floor-length coral gown adorned in countless, shimmering paillettes. The striking collar and fingerless opera gloves create an elegant, yet modern look. A towering headpiece and golden hoop earrings frame her gorgeous face.

Doll Details Body Type: ModelMuse™ Arms: Right bent, Left straight Skin Tone: Afra Facial Sculpt: Stephen Burrows Fashion Sewn On?: No Eyelashes: No Included with doll: Stand, pumps, headdress, earrings. There is a limit of 5 dolls per order.

Stephen Burrows™ is a protected trademark and is used hereby under license by Mattel, Inc. For the adult collector. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

The Wizard of OZ™ Fantasy Glamour Dorothy Doll

This one would have been fun if the dress was not so Cinderella-like (the wonders Isaac Mizrahi could have done with gingham for a gown!). The ruby slippers look enticing, even though they are surely plastic. But at this price? No way. Not for this kind of non-articulated, bland faced doll.

Mattel's description (again she is a Gold Label and priced at $100).\

The Wizard of Oz™ Fantasy Glamour Dorothy doll wears a strapless gown reinterpreted from her classic blue-and-white gingham dress. The frothy tulle over-skirt is trimmed in satin ribbon and sparkly sequins. The bows from her braids are now drop earrings, while the famed ruby slippers are re-imagined as striking red stilettos. Also included is a silvery clutch and bracelet.

Doll Details Body Type: ModelMuse™ Arms: Left bent, Right straight Skin Tone: Nostalgic Facial Sculpt: Lara Fashion Sewn On?: No Eyelashes: Painted Included with doll: Stand, shoes, earrings, clutch, charm bracelet. There is a limit of 5 dolls per order.

© Turner Entertainment Company. Direct Exclusives are currently available in the U.S. only from The Barbie™ Collection catalog or at TheBarbieCollection.com. For the adult collector. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

New Audrey Hepburn dolls by Mattel - Roman Holiday and Sabrina

These are the first Audrey dolls that Mattel releases after the sought after Breakfast At Tiffany's dolls. One is a Pink Label doll and one is a Silkstone Gold Label doll. Let's find out more about them.

Audrey Hepburn™ in Roman Holiday Doll

This is one I have been waiting for impatiently.They are using a new Audrey mold than the one they used for the Breakfast at Tiffany's dolls back in the 90s and she looks different than those dolls. She also now sports the ModelMuse™ body. My main interest though is the outfit as there was none whatsoever released so far from this film. It looks faithful to the original and the shoes at least have what looks like real strings on them. The price is right to and she's already on her way to me.

Let's see how Mattel describes the doll:

This lovely Audrey Hepburn™ in Roman Holiday portrait doll is exquisitely sculpted in the actress’ likeness. She is dressed in a re-creation of Princess Ann’s costume: a beige A-line skirt worn with a crisp white blouse and finished with a wide buckled belt. A pretty printed scarf and brown laced sandals are her stylish accessories.

Doll Details Body Type: ModelMuse™ Arms: Left Bent, Straight Right Skin Tone: Afra Facial Sculpt: New Audrey Hepburn Fashion Sewn On?: No Eyelashes: Painted Included with doll: Stand, belt buckle, shoes, blouse, belt, panty.

©2013 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. AUDREY HEPBURN™ & LOGO IMAGE™ TRADEMARK, COPYRIGHT © 2013 AND LIKENESS PROPERTY OF SEAN HEPBURN FERRER AND LUCA DOTTI LICENSED THROUGH LICENSING ARTISTS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. For ages 6 and over. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

The photos above are the official Mattel ones, but of course everyone wants to know how she will look in real life. I looked for photos and found some on-line from a seller on eBay:

She more or less looks like the promo but closer to the BAT Audrey face, which is good. 

Audrey Hepburn™ as Sabrina Doll

This one is on a Silkstone body, which means the price is triple than the previous one. I already have the outfit in this scale from the Integrity Sabrina collection so I was not thinking of getting this, unless they produced a doll that was the spitting image of Audrey. The prototype is not a great likeness...

...but searching on-line I found some real life photos of the doll, from the same eBay seller. Not only she looks nothing like the promo, she is far from a perfect likeness of Audrey. For those who missed the Integrity Sabrina though, it's a good alternative, at least for the dress. The finish of the hem does not look promising on the promos and I cannot see it in the photo below. She's too expensive for what I see.

The Barbie Collector website has a neat feature for some of the dolls, where you can rotate the image 360°, which lets you see even the back of the doll:

Let's see how Mattel describes the doll:

This first-ever Silkstone® Audrey Hepburn™ as Sabrina portrait doll is beautifully sculpted in the actress’ likeness. She wears a re-creation of the famed black and-white embroidered long gown Sabrina wears upon her entrance into Long Island society. White opera gloves, faux pearl drop earrings and black stiletto pumps complete the elegant ensemble.

Doll Details Body Type: Silkstone® Skin Tone: Classic Beige Silkstone® Facial Sculpt: New Audrey Hepburn Fashion Sewn On?: No Eyelashes: Painted Included with doll: Stand, shoes ,earrings, dress, train, gloves, tights. There is a limit of 5 dolls per order.

©2013 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. AUDREY HEPBURN™ & LOGO IMAGE™ TRADEMARK, COPYRIGHT © 2013 AND LIKENESS PROPERTY OF SEAN HEPBURN FERRER AND LUCA DOTTI LICENSED THROUGH LICENSING ARTISTS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Audrey Hepburn™ as Sabrina doll fashion designed exclusively for the Silkstone® Barbie® doll body; not for use with other Barbie® dolls. For the adult collector. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

Barbie goes Coach!

Today the Barbie by Coach doll was made available at Barbie Collector. She retails for US$95 and is dressed and accessorized by the Coach label. Probably the most familiar US brand of leather goods, Coach gave Barbie an outfit that cries "Burberry's"from a mile across. It is not the first time we see Barbie in a trench as well. The bag included is in leather, which is probably a first for Barbie and there is also a competition with more leather Barbie-sized bags by Coach to be won (alas for US residents only). Is she worth the price? For me no, even the bag, which is the star here, is a bit boring.

From the Barbie Collector website:

Barbie® has been a fashion icon for more than 50 years, working with some of the biggest names in the industry. Coach has also helped to define classic American style, with fine leather-wear, luxury craftsmanship, and modern design since 1941. It’s only fitting that these two iconic brands should come together to create one unforgettable, truly collectible doll — the special edition Coach Barbie® doll! According to Barbie designer Linda Kyaw, the creative teams at Mattel and Coach have worked closely and tirelessly to develop the perfect look. “There is no detail left out, no scenario that was not thought through carefully,” Linda says. “This collaboration is a true ‘labour of love’ of the two most beloved brands of all time.” Their passionate dedication is reflected in an exquisite doll that captures all-American glamour and on-the-go style. 

Barbie wears authentic pieces from the Coach clothing line, including a classic Tattersall trench over a striped green sweater and an irresistible Ultrasuede skirt. The trench’s stand-up collar and large golden buttons add extra fashion flair, while the skirt’s turn-locks are exact replicas of those on Coach handbags. Barbie accessorizes her effortlessly chic ensemble with red round-framed sunglasses, which sit atop her chestnut-brown hairstyle, and open-toe heels from the Coach collection. 

But the pièce de résistance is, of course, her signature red leather duffel — the most iconic purse of all! Made from start to finish at the Coach design house (and given the same care and attention as every Coach bag), this must-have accessory marks a major milestone in Barbie fashion history. “This is the first time that Mattel has collaborated with Coach to have actual, mini leather duffel handbags produced by the Coach manufacturer,” Linda explains. “What you can buy for yourself has been replicated for Barbie!” Elegant in its simplicity, the Classic Duffel is finished with a decorative tassel and Coach tag and comes with a drawstring dust bag for safekeeping.

Barbie and Coach fans alike will want to commemorate this unique design partnership by adding Coach Barbie® Doll to their collections. She is the embodiment of classic American fashion and enduring style — and is available now at the Barbie Collector on-line shop. What do think about Coach Barbie doll? Please share your thoughts below! 

Outfit details from the Coach website (where you can also order the doll):

• Patty sunglasses from the first Coach Legacy sunwear collection
• Trench made with our signature Tattersall check, first introduced in the early 2000s
• Coach Classic Duffle inspired by the iconic Duffle Sac, first introduced in the early 1970s
• Tristen sandals from the début Coach Legacy shoe collection

COACH is a trademark of Coach Services, Inc. and its affiliated companies.

ULTRASUEDE® is a registered trademark owned by Toray International America, Inc.

For the adult collector. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. All photos courtesy of Mattel Inc. Doll cannot stand alone. Colors and decorations may vary. BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel. ©2013 Mattel. All rights reserved.

Barbie gets her own dedicated space at Selfridges and lots of London pizzazz

Later this week, within the new Selfridges Toy Shop opening up on its fourth floor, Barbie gets her own dedicated space. And what better occasion to ask some up-and-coming London designers to dress her up for than this? Three of the British capital's (and one of fashion's top cities) emerging talents are making the bill: Fred Butler, Nazir Mazhar and Sister By Sibling.

It is not the first time that the iconic doll is dressed by a real fashion designer but I think it's a first in promoting up and coming names instead of well established brands. It's London Babe! The dolls are 15 in total, five per designer, and will be available in Selfridges alongside other collectible Barbies.

Each designer concentrated on their strengths: Sibling’s Cozette McCreery, Sid Bryan, and Joe Bates designed quirky knit looks (below), Fred Butler did a series of  sculptural ensembles (first photo), while Nazir Mazhar went for hard-edged street-wear styles (above). Check out poor Ken in a bucket hat and sweat suit.

Sister By Sibling had made a nod to Barbie 18 months ago on London Fashion week in February 2012 by having five looks presented on Barbie dolls. And of course this is not the only current designer Barbies around this time of the year, there's the Coach thing going on as well but that will be in another post. Enjoy the London chic:

Where some of my dolls are being interviewed!

An incredible lady I met on-line, Athena, liked my dolls so much, she decided to interview them and post them on the brilliant and eclectic blog of Avaton Kortez. I cannot thank them enough! Here is the post translated for you:

5 Goddesses I loved on my timeline, unlock themselves tonight

Sometimes Avaton gives me the keys and goes down to meet the sailors and his lads. Those few moments I am free to walk the neighbouring clouds and meet mythical persons that come out of celluloid, dreams and your fantasies. I met the girls in evenings and afternoons in different places, away from the crazy and arrogant world that made them Goddesses. And here is what they said about themselves:

The incredible Poppy Parker:

1. How old were you when you fell in love for the first time? How was it? 15 years old with a village boy in my summer holidays, so romantic!

2. Favourite restaurant? Whichever serves spicy curry.

3. Which star do you love to hate? Hate messes with my Zen.

4. Which film would you like to star in and with which part? In a remake of The Letter, the scorned woman.

5. Which song makes you want to fly? Fly me to the moon by Frank Sinatra.

Mythical Cher

1. What do you cook best? I do not do everyday things, I leave it to my chef.

2. Where and how would you like to die? Cher will never die my dear.

3. Cabernet or Sauvignon Blanc? Only champagne dear, those are for mere mortals.

4. Ashton Kutcher or Justin Timberlake? Why? Justin of course - and if you need an explanation, you're doing something wrong with your life!

5. Which song makes you feel like a teen? The Shoop Shoop Song.

The dramatic Brenda Starr

1. Best kiss in your life? Soundtrack? Whenever Basil St. John kisses me and Amado Mio plays in the background.

2. How do you sleep at night? With Basil.

3. What does a man have to do to never win you over? To be rude.

4. Best place you ever had a swim? Bora Bora.

5. Which song brings a tear in your eye? Someone To Watch Over Me.

The irresistible Poppy Parker, or should we say Twiggy?

1. What are you afraid of the most? Using ordinary mascara by accident.

2. Paris or New York? Only London baby! Swinging Sixties!

3. Favourite novel? Tell me a quote that has imprinted itself in your head from it. Valley Of The Dolls - ''Yes, there's one thing I do want. I want to be aware of the minutes and the seconds, and to make each one count''.

4. Ever shot someone? Which star would you easily shoot? Never touched a gun in my life, nor do I want to.

5. Which song makes you want to fall in love? The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset.

Seductive Lilly

1. Favourite designer: John Galliano

2. Red-carpet look that has gotten you jealous? None, I do the best ones.

3. Have you ever kissed a woman? Sure, we must try everything!

4. Your opinion of Russel Brand? Pffff

5. Which song reminds you of the biggest love of your life? Billie Holiday - I Get Along With You Very Well

You can meet your own goddess at http://instagram.com/sandman_gr and talk with her at http://fashiondollchronicles.blogspot.com/ I simply thank @sandman_gr for the ride up there! :)