The Andy Warhol Barbie: a new storm is brewing

Back in early November, a story appeared on WWD about the Ron Robinson deal with Mattel for an Andy Warhol/Barbie collection, exclusive to the Ron Robinson shops: the one in Fred Segal on Melrose Avenue and the flagship in Santa Monica. The collection has many items in small quantities, designed by various artists and inspired by Warhol and Barbie. The collection will become available in the shops on December 1st but pre-orders have begun from November 15th online. What interests this blog is of course the doll. It is a Platinum edition of 999 dolls but they are nowhere to be seen on the Robinson website. What is really strange though is that the doll surfaced on the Bloomingdale's website on the 18th of November. I do not know if it was possible for anyone to make a pre-order (I did read in Facebook that some people did but nothing concrete), but the site shows the doll unavailable. Having in mind that it is supposedly an exclusive for Rob Robinson, it looks even weirder. I suspect a new storm will hit Barbie Collector with this one.

UPDATE: Barbie Collection will have the doll for sale on the 3rd of December, 10am Pacific time.

Doll details:
Platinum Label collector's piece with commemorative box and certificate of authenticity
Set includes signature Warhol Barbie doll, stand, accessories, decorative paint set and canvas
Doll measures approx. 11.5" tall, box measures 13.5" x 12.5" x 2.5" 
Plastic; accessories: acrylic/plastic/polyester 
Hand wash or spot clean 
Imported 
Web ID: 1560278 

There is no price mentioned. Fro mthe packaging I'm guessing it will be around $150. The sculpt is the Mackie sculpt, made to look like the iconic artist. To me it looks cheap and hastily made. The fact that it includes painting brushes and colors shows either how ignorant is the one who designed the set (Warhol never painted but silk-screened the polaroids he took to add colour and effects) or it was a company decision to make the doll look more "artistic" - i.e. "let the ignorant buyers know that Warhol was an artist, let us include some paintbrushes and colours". It is insulting to the collectors and mainly to the artist. 

If you really want this one, get another Mackie Barbie cheaper, give her a razor cut and buy clothing and accessories to make the set yourselves. I bet one can find even a polaroid camera in scale from companies that make action figures - maybe even an older Barbie set. You can find the iconic Warhol Barbie portrait easily to print in scale too.

Photos courtesy of  Mattel.

Happy Doll Days pt3: IT Airways Poppy Parker lottery for W Club members

It seems that Integrity Toys has an airline and they're hiring! Just kidding people! The giftset that was announced at the Cinematic convention finally did make an appearance as a lottery opportunity for the right to buy one of the 800 Poppy Parker IT Airways sets offered to members of  Club only. It is a gorgeous set, with a beautiful doll (Poppy in a bob and bangs is always great looking) and two colourful outfits that fit perfectly with the other Model Scene dolls. The story goes that Poppy is now a spokesmodel for IT Airways. After the doll photos, you can see the probable inspirations for the outfits.
Club members should note that the deadline to enter the lottery is the 3rd of December, noon ET.

Item # PP089
IT Airways
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll Gift Set
The Model Scene Collection
Limited Edition Size of 800 Dolls
Estimated Ship Date: Should Ship Shortly After Winners' Payments are Received
Suggested Retail Price: $160.00
SPECIAL W CLUB HAPPY DOLLY-DAYS PRICING: $150.00 + Shipping and Handling (and Tax for MD Residents Only)

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin tone: FR White
Hair Color: Brown
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Poppy Parker is a 12-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion doll with rooted hair and hand applied eyelashes. Poppy comes in a mod coat accented with lime green trim, a multi-color print shift dress with matching hat, and a two piece bright pink belted suit with apple green turtleneck. Mid calf boots, flats, earrings, lapel pin, and a white travel case with the IT Airways logo complete the ensemble. A doll stand is included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up.

And here are some of the probable inspirations for the outfits - mainly the Branliff air hostess uniforms designed by Emilio Pucci ins the mid and late 60s. Pucci’s clear plastic helmets were called Rain Domes, and they were meant to keep those 60s hairstyles protected from the elements. However, the impracticality of the Rain Dome was imminently apparent. They cracked easily and were abandoned after one month, as there was no space in the overhead bins, or anywhere in the cabin, to store the large plastic bubbles. Pity we do not get one for Poppy. Braniff also enlisted the first lady of American shoe design, Beth Levine, the designer of Nancy Sinatra’s boots for “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’” publicity, to create both leather and plastic footwearfor the crew.

              A Braniff 1966 Pucci uniform. From the collection of Cliff Muskiet www.uniformfreak.com

Please note that the doll and outfits pictured in these images are prototypes. Final production may vary slightly. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Happy Dolly Days pt.2: Eric Raymond arrives for Jem and the Holograms fans

This character was one of the most anticipated in the Jem and the Holograms line of Integrity Toys and now he is finally here to pre-order. He has the Count/Perry Marino sculpt, probably the ugliest face ever released from Integrity. He's definitely a pass from me but most Jem fans will surely add him to their collection. W Club got priority in ordering the doll, which is ready to ship by next week. Any dolls left after that, will be made available to the general public on Tuesday December 1st at noon ET. That link will be available through the company's Facebook page. 

Item # 14060 
Eric Raymond™
Dressed Fashion Figure
The JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ Collection
Limited Edition Size: 500
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately the First Week of December 2015
Special Holiday Pricing: $130.00 US + Shipping, Handling and Tax

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Perry Marino
Body Type: FR Homme
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eyelashes: No

Eric Raymond is a 12.5-inch fully articulated vinyl fashion figure with rooted hair. Comes complete with his signature business suit, briefcase, watch, sunglasses, exclusive character specific paper accessories and shoes. A stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

The dolls shown in the official product pictures are prototypes. Textures, fabrics and colors may vary slightly on the final production dolls. HASBRO and its logo, JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. ©2015 HASBRO. All rights reserved. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Poppy Parker Fashion Teen is back - and she brought a friend with her!

Integrity Toys are doing the Happy Dolly Days week again this year - this means a week full of everyday new doll announcements and releases. The first dolls to be presented to the W Club this Monsay were from this year's Poppy Parker Fashion Teen collection. These are 16" dolls and, this time, apart from Poppy, feature her best friend, Mallory Martin. And guess what - the sculpt of Mallory is none other than the old Tulabelle sculpt. So people who loved that face will still have a chance to her new dolls in that likeness. Let's see the four dolls, now available to pre-order from Integrity Toys dealers.

Item # 84009 
Clear Over Here 
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Teen™ Collection
Limited Edition Size: 300
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Q1/Early Q2, 2016
Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Fashion Teen™ Poppy
Body Type: Fashion Teen™ Poppy (16-inch format)
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Dark Brunette
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Poppy wears a bright orange and blue halter neckline dress with a bow detail at the neck. The look features a clear vinyl coat with orange piping trim. White fishnets, blue and orange kitten heels, and an orange purse complete this look. Fashion Teen Poppy Parker is a 16-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Comes complete with outfit, accessories and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.

Great looking Poppy and I was tempted to add her to my collection (I only have one 16" Poppy and she's blonde) but I could only get one from this collection and there's another one that won my heart in the end (see the last one). Love the outfit too, very mod, reminiscent of Marlo Thomas in "That Girl" TV series.

Item # 84010
Bright Idea 
Mallory Martin™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Teen™ Collection
Limited Edition Size: 300
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Q1/Early Q2, 2016
Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Tulabelle 1.0
Body Type: Fashion Teen™ Poppy (16-inch format)
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Light Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Mallory Martin is wearing a blue and white polka dot blouse, accentuated with a crisp white collar and cuffs and a hot pink necktie, finished up with a yellow miniskirt. Nude fishnet pantyhose, white faux leather knee high boots, and a matching purse finish off the ensemble. Fashion Teen™ Mallory Martin™ is a 16-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Comes complete with outfit, accessories and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

So this is the re-use of the first Tulabelle sculpt. Mallory Martin looks great in this fashion era, although I never was a big fan of this face - I have not got any Tulabelle dolls. I love the outfit but would love more details in the accessories, she is a 16" doll after all.

Item # 84011
Silver Shine 
Mallory Martin™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Teen™ Collection
Limited Edition Size: 300
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Q1/Early Q2, 2016
Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Tulabelle 1.0
Body Type: Fashion Teen™ Poppy (16-inch format)
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Hair Color: Auburn Red
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Mallory is wearing a striped sequin dress in shades of silver and grey. She tops the dress with an A-line silver faux leather coat. Metallic pantyhose, silver shoes, and a silver bag complete the ensemble.

Fashion Teen™ Mallory Martin™ is a 16-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Comes complete with outfit, accessories and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only.  

The second Mallory looks better than the first one and could pass for a contemporary era doll as well. Love the sequins and the silver bag.

Item # 84012
Midnight Sparkle 
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Teen™ Collection
Limited Edition Size: 300
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately Late Q1/Early Q2, 2016
Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Fashion Teen Poppy Parker
Body Type: Fashion Teen™ Poppy (16-inch format)
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Golden Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

The long gold sequin gown features midnight blue trim at the plunging neckline with a bow detail for modesty. The white faux fur stole, metallic gold heels, and gold clutch finish off the ensemble. Fashion Teen™ Poppy Parker™ is a 16-inch fully articulated vinyl doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Comes complete with outfit, accessories and shoes. A doll stand is also included. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. 

This is the best of the bunch and the one I pre-ordered. She is of course a recreation of the Sparkle, Poppy, Sparkle! 12" doll from the Cinematic convention collection. I think I prefer this version, even though there is no ring to go with it like her miniature counterpart (tsk tsk tsk Integrity).

The dolls shown in the official product pictures are prototypes. Textures, fabrics and colors may vary slightly on the final production dolls. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

The new "most wanted" Barbie: the new Moschino Barbie

Jeremy Scott loves Barbie. He proved it by dedicating an entire Moschino collection to her, dressing women like the famous doll, accessories included. Back then, guests at the fashion show had received a limited edition of Barbie dressed in Moschino, that had collectors all over the world drooling in anticipation of an actual commercially released version. That time came today: the doll is available through Moschino, Net-A-Porter and, through Barbie Collector later on 6:00 am PT. 

There are two versions of the doll, a Caucasian and an African-American one, and she comes with two outfits: a leather "suit" and some sporty separates. Of course she has her Moschino shopping bag and assorted accessories. She's a limited edition of 700 according to Net-A-Porter (I guess each version will have 700 dolls released).

Jeremy Scott said: "I wanted to bring all of the Moschino elements to Barbie, as I had done the reverse by bringing all of the Barbie elements to Moschino for the spring/summer 15 collection. The thing I love most about Barbie, is that she is the ultimate muse, she's worn every style and design imaginable and at the same time she's had every possible profession you can dream of."

For me, the best thing about this release is that a boy is included in the commercial that accompanies the release - and nobody bats an eyelid. I know it should not be an issue in 2015 but there are still boy-girl distinctions in toys and it''s about time it stopped being so. So kudos to Moschino and Mattel for this.

Last time I checked, the AA version was sold out at Moschino but seems to be available on Net-A-Porter. Those who missed it go for Barbie Collector. Good luck.

Photos and video courtesy of Mattel and Moschino.