Barbie enters the Star Wars universe!

It was expected for quite some time, there were even preorders from dealers available, but we had not seen any photos of the Barbie Star Wars dolls. But now they have arrived, with the doll’s already available to preorder at the official Barbie website and Amazon. They were inspired by original concept art from Star Wars: A New Hope. Robert Best, the designer of the three doll Star Wars™ X Barbie® Collection puts a high-fashion twist on the iconic characters. The official Barbie blog had an exclusive interview with Robert Best about his love for Star Wars, design challenges, and his experience in bringing this new collection to life.

What was particularly exciting or unique about this collaboration for you?

The unique aspects of this come from the collaboration of two unique icons that truly stand alone. Barbie and Star Wars are cultural phenomena like no others and so it’s exciting to bring these two worlds together. I also think it might be an unexpected collaboration and I love that.

The character of R2-D2 is instantly recognizable. What are some of the more subtle ways you integrated elements of the droid's design into the doll’s fashion?

Barbie doll’s hair and make-up firstly are a fun, subtle nod to the signature shapes and colors that fans of R2-D2 will recognize. Her belt is a very specific R2-D2 element that immediately stands out. The silver lining of the puffer vest is also a nice detail.

With the Leia-inspired doll, how did you approach the task of designing a look that’s fresh, yet honors the original, since the movie costume and hairstyle are so indelibly iconic?

With the look inspired by Princess Leia, I knew that keeping the signature elements would be important and the challenge was making them different enough where it didn’t feel like a costume or a strict recreation. I also wanted to make sure Leia's confidence shined through. I took the hairstyle (that might be one of the most recognizable of all time) and added braids and volume as well as lowering the placement. For the gown I really wanted to amp up the glamour but still keep it relatively clean & simple. We created a stunning white gown with dramatic cape-like sleeves, highlighted with the silver corset belt, necklace and cuffs adding a cool touch of shine and texture.

Darth Vader’s movie costume is actually a suit of life-supporting armor and cybernetics. How did that fact change, enhance, and/or limit your approach to the doll’s couture design?

While these details are interesting and relevant to the characters in the narrative related to the films, when you're creating a look “inspired by,” the purpose is to capture the essence of the character and include notable details. Then, it becomes more about what the costume and its narrative purpose represents emotionally, and finding a way to convey that through fashion.

What do you think fans of Star Wars and Barbie will be most excited about?

As a fan of both myself, my hope is that fans will share the excitement and joy that I had when creating these dolls from this unique and amazing collaboration. For me personally, this was definitely a dream collaboration and I hope that comes through to the fans.

Below you can see each doll with the details from the Barbie website plus the official description. The $100.00 price for each is a bit steep, but not unusual for collector dolls with this kind of packaging - the boxes look amazing. For this price level though, they should have had articulation (just imagine the posing!) and some of the accessories could ave been made in better material. They will be available on the 18th of November. More comments on each doll below.

Star Wars™ R2D2 x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER 
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

SKU #: GHT79

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. A resourceful astromech droid, skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot’s assistant, R2-D2 showed great bravery in rescuing his masters and their friends from many perils. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll captures the lovable droid’s look in a geometric ensemble with a dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights. A vibrant blue ponytail and “radar eye” detail complete the look. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Included with doll: Jacket, gloves, Top, Skirt, tights

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: Dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: BCP92

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

She’s the hip, young one of the trio, fittingly for the character she is inspired from. The use of the elements of R2D2’s construction is imaginative and creative, even with her make up and hair. The bag is a hint for the other droid, C3PO; smart, but I would have loved to see a doll inspired by that one. Maybe later on - imagine another trio with dolls inspired by C3PO, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. I also love the box design. It immediately brings the film sets to mind and can be displayed open or closed.

Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER 
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

SKU #: GHT80

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Once a heroic Jedi Knight, Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force, became a Sith Lord, and led the Empire’s eradication of the Jedi Order. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Darth Vader’s Sith armor silhouette in a head-to-toe shiny-black ensemble. Metallic details at her collar and waist, dark glasses and an emblematic black cape finish the look. Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Fashion: Shiny-black peplum top, panelled pencil skirt and knee-high boots

• Fashion Sewn On?: Yes

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)

• Facial sculpt: N6599

• Included with doll: Glasses, Choker, Holster, Corset, boots, clutch, Doll Stand

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

They have to have a female Vader in the new films ASAP! This is incredible: the styling and fashion are gorgeous and fit the character inspiration perfectly. My only peeve is with her sunglasses: they should have resembled the iconic Vader face mask a bit more. The helmet hair help a lot though. Superb. Anna Wintour has found a match!

Princess Leia Star Wars x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Princess Leia Organa was one of the Rebel Alliance’s greatest leaders, fearless on the battlefield and dedicated to ending the tyranny of the Empire. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Princess Leia’s iconic look in an elegant white gown with dramatic, floor-length sleeves. Details include a silvery peplum belt, cuff jewelry and an up-do inspired by her signature bun hairstyle. Star Wars™ Princess Leia x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Included with doll: Necklace, cuffs, belt, shoes, clutch, doll stand

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: White gown with silver peplum belt

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Model Muse (Double bent arms)

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: DYX39 Collector Size Millie (Closed Mouth)

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

What a beautiful tribute to Carrie Fisher and Leia Organa. I love how it references the original costume and styling from the first film, while transforming it into a high fashion look. If only the boots were not moulded plastic.

© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All information, interview and photos courtesy of Mattel.

The goddess is here: Tonner Doll Wonder Woman in Gal Gadot’s likeness available for preorder!

Today one of the best, if not THE best superhero doll Tonner Doll has ever created is finally revealed and available to preorder. A gorgeous rendition of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, with a new 15- points-of-articulation body is now ready for preorder either from Tonner Doll or from your favourite Tonner Doll dealer. As the company website ships only to the United States, Guam, The US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, US military bases, Australia, New Zealand and Asia , the rest of the world will have to scramble to the dealers to secure one of the 500 available dolls, There was a 100 pieces Deluxe edition but that was sold out in a flash. What’s the difference? Read on. 

T17DCDD03 Wonder Woman Deluxe Set - $310.00 - SOLD OUT

16” character figure of expertly engineered injected plastic and vinyl.  The totally new body has 15 points of articulation and Gal Gadot’s likeness is captured in detail. Saran is used to create lifelike hair set off with an accurate, highly detailed crown. Accurately sculpted depicting her movie costume, the WW armor consists of a molded breast plate with a genuine leather battle skirt; her armband and gauntlets are made of real metal. Wonder Woman carries her golden lasso in a genuine leather harness.  Boots are made of detailed vinyl and resin.  Figure comes with changeable open hands, fists and gripping hands. The Deluxe set Includes, along with the WW figure, her intricately detailed metal sword, shield that she can hold and stand designed to keep her on her feet for display.  LE 100

The likeness of the face is incredible. Robert Tonner now sculpts first on a computer in 3D rendering software, so he can tweak a sculpt to perfection. We also found out that the very talented repaint artist Shannon Craven was directly involved in the process of creating the face likeness of the actress, you can read all about it in her website.  If the production doll looks exactly like this one, it will be the best Tonner Wonder Woman ever. I knew I was right holding back on buying one of their previous Wonder Woman versions.

The detail on her costume is amazing. With real metal and leather used for so many things in addition to plastic and resin, the impression it gives is that of a great recreation. Metal sword eh? Yes! Leather skirt and harness? Check. Three sets of hands to vary the poses? Sure!

T17DCGS01 - Wonder Woman #1 BUNDLE COLLECTION - $310.00

The bundle actually contains the same things the Deluxe editions has, for the same price. They are just packed separately instead of being in the same box. So I suspect that the Deluxe version will have a different, bigger box, maybe made for display like the Spiderman 3 one, while the simple doll has a normal, Tonner Doll sized box. We’ll see. 

There is also the option of getting each element of the bundle separately: Doll, set of sword and shield, and stand.

T17DCDD02 Wonder Woman #1 - $225.00 - LE 500. This is the doll only, No sword, no shield, no stand included.

T17DCAC01 - Shield & Sword Accessory Pack - $50.00

Wonder Woman Sword and Shield—Both shield 4.5" and sword 7.25" are crafted in fine metal with high attention to detail. It’s the perfect accessory set to your Wonder Woman character figure.  Open Edition

T17DCAC02 - Wonder Woman Stand - $50.00

Wonder Woman Stand—The stand base 5.5" is made of acrylic resin with the Wonder Woman logo and a black bendable rod 13" so that she can hold any number of poses. A specially designed gripper keeps her secure no matter what the pose! Open Edition.

If you order separate sets of the weapons or the stand, there is a limit of six per order. So what are you waiting for! Run!

Oh, and do you know what is on the way! Look at a sneak peek from Tonner Doll official Facebook page:

All photos courtesy of Tonner Doll Company. 

Wonder Woman Barbie Collector dolls available to order!

Mattel is pushing ahead with their Wonder Woman releases, right before the premiere of the film next week. After the playline releases, the collector dolls are now available to order - but on backorder till June 1st. That either proves that the available ones are already snapped up or that the company will be late in releasing them but did not want to lose the momentum that the film will create. I really like them and will try to order them all. Let's see them all - description from the Barbie Collector website. The dolls are all Silver Label, i.e. 25,000 or less dolls.

Barbie® Wonder Woman™ Doll

Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/27/2017
Inspired by the first-ever live-action Wonder Woman™ feature film, this doll is sculpted and costumed just like the movie character. This Amazon warrior is armed for battle wearing her iconic Super Hero costume with headdress, boots, armored bracelets, iconic “magic”; lasso, sword, shield and black cape.  Doll also features a fully articulated body—perfect for high-action poses.

$44,95

Body Type: Articulated
Facial sculpt: Wonder Woman
Fashion Sewn On: Yes
Fashion: Super Hero costume with headdress, boots, armored bracelets
Accessories: Sword, shield, lasso
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13“ x 3.3“x 7“

Barbie® Antiope™ Doll

Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/27/2017

Inspired by the first-ever live-action Wonder Woman™ feature film, this Antiope doll is sculpted and costumed like the movie character. Doll also features a fully articulated body—perfect for high-action poses.

$44,95

Body Type: Articulated
Facial sculpt: Antiope
Fashion Sewn On: Yes
Fashion: Super Hero costume with headdress, boots, armored bracelets
Accessories: Bow, arrows
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13“ x 3.3“x 7“

Barbie® Hippolyta™ Doll

Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/27/2017

Inspired by the first-ever live-action Wonder Woman™ feature film, this Queen Hippolyta doll is sculpted and costumed just like the movie character. Doll also features a fully articulated body—perfect for high-action poses.

$44,95

Body Type: Articulated
Facial sculpt: Queen Hippolyta
Fashion Sewn On: Yes
Fashion: Super Hero costume with headdress, boots, armored bracelets
Accessories: Sword, shield,
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13“ x 3.3“x 7“

Barbie® Wonder Woman™ Paradise Island Gift Set

Designer: Bill Greening
Release Date: 4/27/2017

This Barbie® Wonder Woman™ Paradise Island Gift Set commemorates the iconic scene on Paradise Island when Diana (Wonder Woman™), portrayed by actress Gal Gadot, first meets Steve Trevor™, portrayed by actor Chris Pine. Both dolls are sculpted and costumed like the movie characters and feature fully articulated bodies—perfect for high-action poses.

$125,00

Body Type: Articulated Wonder Woman, Articulated Ken
Facial sculpt: Gal Gadot Face sculpt, Chris Pine face sculpt
Fashion Sewn On: No
Fashion:Costumed like the movie characters
Doll Stands: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13“ x 6“x 19“

WONDER WOMAN and all related characters and elements © & ™ DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s17). Photos courtesy of Mattel Inc.

New Wonder Woman dolls from Mattel look amazing!

With Toy Fair coming this weekend, companies keep on releasing previews of the goods that will debut in New York. Mattel of course is a major player and nabbed the opportunity to present their Wonder Woman movie dolls. Entertainment Weekly had the photos and so we can show you what is coming this spring, ahead of the film release June 2. The prices are good, this is no upscale release like the Superman Vs Batman one, so I bet they will be very popular.

Deluxe, sword-wielding Wonder Woman figure ($19.99). Gal Gadot plays her in the film.

Wonder Woman in gold training outfit with bow and arrow ($19.99)

Wonder Woman in classic uniform ($14.99)

Wonder Woman doll in a blue evening gown and a concealed sword ($14.99) - I so want this!

12-inch Diana figurine ($29.99), outfitted for battle and accompanied by her armored black horse

Wonder Woman's mother, Queen Hippolyta, ready-for-battle figurine and horse ($29.99). Connie Nielsen plays the big-screen version of the Amazonian queen. Wonder why they did not make Robin Wright's Antiope as a doll. I'd get that in a heartbeat. I might give this one a try anyway.

Steve Trevor appears in this figurine two-pack ($26.99), which includes Diana. Chris Pine plays the part in real life. Unfortunately the doll has molded legs. I want to get him and will probably change him into another Mattel body.

Censorship on the Internet: how far can Mattel go to protect their interests?

A couple of days ago, I saw a post by a fellow doll collector on Facebook : it mentioned that a common friend and popular doll blogger, Ada - better known as Papusile Mele  had been blocked on Facebook and could not post anything for the next few days. I soon discovered that she had been blocked  by Mattel. The  reason for this was that she had posted on her Facebook page a sneak preview photo of the upcoming Mattel Star Trek dolls.

That photo, showing three upcoming dolls from the Star Trek series (Spock, Kirk and Uhura in the likeness of the original actors), had been already posted in many Facebook groups, chat rooms and even some obscure online shops (Ada posted a Linkin to a Greek one!), so blocking her for posting it was a bit extreme - and without even warning her first or asking her politely to delete it, as would have been the proper way for Mattel to follow.

Companies have the right to restrict the use of their photos, especially of they are from unreleased products or have been made known to certain groups of people under condition of confidentiality and guidelines for their publication. That would be the case, for example, with photos of dolls send to W Club members by Integrity Toys or the Barbie Collector club and their sneak pics. From what I know about this particular case, this is not a sneak photo from a club etc., but a picture probably leaked online by someone with access to it. 

So, however ridicule may sound to you, it is perfectly legitimate for Ada to post it, until Mattel asks her to pull it down. Which never happened. She got blocked for three days instead. Just like that. It sure does not look good for Mattel - it makes them look like a bully scaring people off. Which is exactly the opposite of what a company like it should be doing. Was it that hard to simply ask for the photo to be taken down? And the irony is that Ada is a genuine Barbie fan: her blog and Facebook page is a testament to that and a source of valuable information for Barbie collectors all over the world. It is ridiculous to attack people who support the doll industry like this, especially when they do better PR for their product that the company interested. 

Shame on you Mattel.

All photos are courtesy of Mattel, from previous Star Trek releases.