Barbie Fashion: noiembrie 2011

miercuri, 30 noiembrie 2011

About Carolyn

So Hello Everyone!

My name is Carolyn Mitrovich and I am a doll collector. (Really?! And why else would I be on this blog!) I have loved dolls since I was a little girl, with my first love being, of course, Barbie. I received my last doll for Christmas when I was 12; a Francie doll that I still have. Not too long after that I very reluctantly gave up dolls due to peer pressure.

As an adult, I would always wander into toys stores to check out the Madame Alexander and Barbie dolls, and once a year would buy the MA catalog and spend hours looking through it. I even remember going into an FAO and seeing Gene for the first time. I thought she was beautiful, but being only familiar with Barbie size dolls, I remember thinking she was huge!

My son bought me a MA Tinkerbell for Christmas one year, and then I had to have Captain Hook to go along with her! I held off for several more years, but started going to doll shows, just "to look." I saw a Tyler doll and, like Gene, thought she was beautiful but too big. However, I finally took the plunge and bought a nude Modern Mosaic Sydney on Ebay. Then before she arrived, after doing some research, I went to a local doll shop in Carlsbad to buy her some clothes, as I nether sew nor am a big fan of dolls sitting around naked. The lovely lady there (dear Kathleen) told me about a local doll club. Well I went, and it was off to the races!

Several years later, I have a nice, but small, collection of FR dolls, Dynamite Girls, a few Momokos, several vintage Barbies that have joined my childhood dolls, a very few Silkstones and Genes and several MA 8" inch storybook dolls that, alas, mostly stay in their boxes. But, by far, the most dolls I own are Tonner's and his Wilde Imagination line.

I love, love, LOVE my Tonner and WI girls! For the most part my collection leans towards the costumed and storybook/fantasy dolls. The always displayed girls (I live in a two-bedroom apartment, so space is an issue) are my Alice in Wonderland themed dolls, my Oz girls, Charmed Tyler and her coven (which includes Wicked, Kit dressed in Dark Embrace Sydney's outfit, Agnes and Viktor Dreary), the Re-imagination line, Twilight dolls, all my Ellowynes and Evangeline Ghastly.

For my Fashion dolls I have a rule that I, mostly, stick to; only one sculpt of each face. However, I love Tyler's sweetness, and so have quite a few of her and, of course, she needs her best friend Sydney to keep her company!

I only see my collection growing as Robert just keeps coming up with more and more beautiful dolls. I am especially excited about the new Lord of the Rings line, as it is my #1 favorite movie of all time!

As for the personal stuff: I am a single mom, with a wonderful son Matthew, who is a Senior at UCSB (although he is currently spending the summer in Boston as an intern for the Red Sox). I live in Point Loma, work for a non-profit in the South Bay, and majored in Ceramic Sculpture in College. I also collect Art and early to mid 20th Century pottery, go to Comic-Con every summer, Disneyland for my birthday and never, ever go anywhere without a book!

About Shuga-Shug

Hi everyone! Just sharing a little about myself here...

I started collecting dolls in 2007 after happening upon a Doll Magazine where I saw a full page spread of High Tide Vanessafrom the Fashion Royalty line by Integrity Toys. I was in utter shock at that beautiful pinup girl on that glossy ad and couldn't believe that dolls looked that gorgeous!

I was never really into dolls while growing up (I was a tomboy) but had really gotten into fashion in my late 20's, so these dolls really appealed to my love of fashion. To me they were like tiny models wearing the newest fashions and accessories. Personally I am a fan of the "pinup" look and so after seeing that ad for High Tide I quickly scoured the web for these "Fashion Royalty" dolls. Well, I was in heaven once I saw what had been produced so far, and I picked up a couple on ebay and the rest they say is history. I don't really collect any other company's 12" fashion doll lines, but now I collect pretty much every line Integrity Toys puts out: Fashion Royalty, FR Monograms, AvantGuards (16"), Poppy Parker, Dynamite Girls and Misaki. The quality is amazing, the fashions are fabulous and there is nice variety and ethnicity in the lines. Plus they cover everything from high fashion to period looks!

So needless to say, I went crazy and became obsessed with these dolls so much so that I began a blog about them in Summer 2008. It's called Shuga-Shug's Blog. I blog the newest information from Integrity as well as share my dolls as I get them, redress and restyle them. I usually post a few times a week and sometimes every other day if there's lots of news. I also attend the Fashion Royalty Convention and IFDC each year and blog and twitter from onsite. So for up to the minute information coming from these conventions, I'm your girl!

At the time I started my blog I had been photographing my dolls for a few months and was really enjoying it. Since then I have fallen in love with photography and post my pictures regularly. Several months ago I moved up from a point and shoot camera into a DSLR camera and am still learning to use it, but I love how it photographs my girls! Because of my love of fashion I also really enjoy redressing my dolls and restyling them. I've posted some of my pictures here, and you can see much more on Flickr.

I still have hopes to continue to improve my photography in the future! I just got my first Macro lens last month and that has opened up a whole new world to photograph! I also have been slowly starting to put together dioramas for my dolls. I have 1 bookshelf dedicated to diorama rooms, but it's slow going and I hope to continue to work on perfecting their homes in miniature.

So even though fashion dolls are a big part of my life, last year I began getting into the world of BJD's. I was taken with the Iplehouse JID sized girls in particular and now have 2 in my collection named Brielle and Chloe. I just love the faceups on these girls and their body sculpts (which is much more curvier an thicker than the standard "slim" MSD's). I also began sewing for these girls and have an Etsy store now too where I sell clothing tailor made for IH JID's. I also sell calendars and holiday cards using my photography in my store as well.

Of course once you get one BJD you always want more right? LOL. I now have my first "tiny" BJD, a PukiPuki Pong named Julep, and I'm sure she won't be the last of my little "wee" ones! I also currently have a new Chic-Line Lishe on order from Fairyland. I'm excited about this girl because she will fuse my "Fashion" dolls with my "BJD's" in hopefully a wonderfully, gorgeous way!

As far as my personal interests, I am currently working on my Master's Degree in Acupuncture and Herbology and will graduate in April 2011 and take the board exams for my license in August. I hope to open a practice or join a group as soon as I get my license. I'm 36, married, but no children yet (hopefully soon!). Other hobbies include: dancing the Argentine Tango (with my hubby), reading (voraciously!), photography and cooking.

About JennyGrey

Call me jennygrey, or Jen Eugley if you like. I am a Canadian-born fashion designer and seamstress for wardrobes of all sizes. I am truly excited to share my passion for both fashion and dolls, and to encourage those who love--or are even just interested in--sewing for these miniature forms. Welcome to the art that blends the best of everything: creativity, logic, pop culture, numbers, fantasy and imagination!

As a child growing up in western Canada, I used scraps from my mother’s sewing projects to design for my first muses: my Barbie dolls. For me, the process of molding a piece of fabric into a textile sculpture made me come alive. When I left home, I left my Barbie dolls behind to design for real, life-size women, like myself, with much different measurements. I ventured to Southern California to study fashion design and ended up falling in love with a cute American boy (isn’t that always the way?) and never went back!

The re-emergence of dolls into my life can be attributed to my inspiring friend, Alison. She made sure I had lots of opportunities to practice my emerging design skills by sewing for the dolls in her own collection; it was not a hard sell It was just the outlet I needed in the midst of my college studies to put my hands to something both creative and tangible. When my left brain was overworked, my right brain led me to my sewing machine and miniature wardrobes materialized.

My own doll collection grew quickly to include plastic, vinyl and resin bodies of all sizes: from Barbie to Tyler Wentworth to ball-jointed dolls. They never stayed dressed or on display for long. All dolls that entered my house were immediately put to work. In the small sewing corner of our 600 square foot apartment, they are quite often shivering in partial nudity, dressed only in pinned muslin pattern pieces of my latest designs.

The biggest kick-start to my evolution from life-size fashion to miniature was the Couture Doll Design Competition, in which I competed at the end of 2009. I expanded into designing for dolls I had never clothed before, as well as discovering my enjoyment in photographing them. Since then, my Etsy.com store has been my outlet for selling doll clothes to the rest of the world. I have completed some exciting (and peculiar) commissions for clients in the US, Canada and abroad; everything from ethnic and historical costumes to miniature replicas of clients' wedding dresses. I'm always amazed at what new projects come my way.

My newest endeavor is in the creation of doll furniture. Though my experiment has only just begun, my home is now cluttered with wood, paint, vinyl and power tools.

As for the non-doll aspects of my life: I am 28 years old and live in San Diego with my incredible husband of 3 years, who both enables and supports all of my hair-brained passions with remarkable understanding. I have just completed my Associate Degree in Fashion Design, which has also enabled me to design for the walking, talking, 80% water “dolls” all around me! I am a collaboration of my Canadian roots, my American day-to-day life, my passionate brain and my compassionate heart.

S-a vandut cea mai scumpa papusa Barbie din istorie

O papusa Barbie, accesorizata cu un colier de diamante, a fost vanduta la o licitatie din New York pentru un pret record.
Papusa Barbie, model unicat, creeata de Stefano Canturi, purta o rochie neagra de seara, fara bretele si un colier cu un diamant roz de un carat, potrivit BBC.

Papusa a fost vanduta pentru suma de 302.500 USD unui cumparator anonim.
Desi papusa s-a vandut cu o suma mica fata de estimarile casei de licitatie, ea este cea mai scumpa papusa Barbie din istorie.

Recordul trecut fusese stabilit in 2006, cand cineva a platit17.091 de dolari pentru o papusa Barbie.

Papusa Barbie : istoria unei papusi celebre

Cu siguranta cea mai vanduta papusa de pe piata papusilor de jucarie este papusa creata de Elliot Handler, fondatorul companiei Mattel, Inc., si a sotiei acestuia, Ruth. Se pare ca Ruth Handler a fost inspirata de o papusa elvetiana cu buze

senzuale si bust proeminent, dupa modelul careia a fost creata celebra papusa Barbie. Numele de Barbie este un diminutiv de la Barbara, numele fiicei sotilor Handler. Papusa a fost primita de public cu anumite reticente – dar iata ca peste 35 de ani papusa Barbie este in continuare una dintre cele mai de succes jucarii pentru fetite.

POPPY PARKER

The smash hit of 2009, the Poppy Parker collection by the Integrity Toys design team offers a glimpse of the swing style of a day gone by. The story of Poppy Parker is set in New York in the late 50's / early 60's era, the time when glamour was all about the hair, simple elegance and having the perfect little "kit" for every occasion!You can take a girl out of the Midwest, but you can't tae the Midwest out of the girl. Under her fashionable hair, perfect makeup and fancy couture clothes, Poppy is just a simpe girl. Will she be able to dazzle the city that never sleeps? So far, the answer is "yes"

Poppy has landed in New York. She nervously takes a seat in her first taxicab. During the long drive into the city, she wonders what life as a teen fashion model will be like. There are so many new things to discover about the city in which she now lives. The magic of New York, from its wonderful shopping districts, art galleries, landmarks and parks to its bohemian downtown, is unparalleled and Poppy wants to experience it all. Get ready New York, she's arrived! Will the city that never sleeps ever be the same again?

The setting is New York City in the early 1960s, and a whole new world has opened up to a bubbly Midwestern teenager fresh off the farm. Wide-eyed and dazzled by her new environ, Poppy Parker begins her life in the glamorous world of fashion as a newly discovered model. Under the sophisticated veneer, the svelte Poppy is at heart a naïve small-town darling navigating her way up Fifth Avenue and making a living smiling for the camera in the city that never sleeps.

The Poppy Parker Collection is Integrity Toys' latest hit!

The Poppy Parker doll uses a brand-new custom sculpt with a molded eyelash ridge. Her body uses the FR: Nippon Misaki body with articulated wrists and ankles and removeable hands for easy dressing. Vinyl doll, measures approximately 12-inches and comes complete with doll stand and certificate of authenticity.A small-town Midwest girl discovered and catapulted into the glamorous world of a New York City fashion model in the 1960s, join Poppy Parker in her latest slightly mod and oh-so-sweet incarnation as "I Love How You Love Me," an exclusive by Integrity Toys for DOLLS Magazine. The 300-piece limited-edition set comes complete with 12-inch vinyl Poppy Parker and a trio of red, pink and white outfits that Poppy dons as she journeys from day to evening to night. She starts the day in a smart red jumper with white blouse and patterned tights, which is followed by her lovely white satin party dress and brocade coat evening ensemble. Finally, she crawls into bed wearing her adorable pink gingham nightie, matching bloomers and fuzzy slippers.

It's now 1964 and so many things have changed for Poppy Parker since she arrived in New York. She is now one of the most popular teenage models in that city. She has been on the cover of five fashion and teen magazines and recently scored a new gig as the face of McCalpin's Department Store for their Juniors' department.

Barbie Collector Introduces the Sinatra Barbie Doll

Barbie and Frank Sinatra: two American icons, one classic look.

Inspired by one of the world’s greatest and most iconic performers of all time, Sinatra Barbie® is the definition of class and sophistication as she takes center stage in Fall 2011.

Beloved not only for his melodic voice, Frank Sinatra did things “his way” with refined style and effortless grace. In a tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, Barbie® puts a spin on one of Sinatra’s most iconic looks, a custom-fitted suit as seen on many of the singer’s album covers, including “Nothing But The Best.”

Looking dapper in tweed, Barbie® wears a tailored houndstooth printed suit complete with a black tie, polished white shirt, and Frank-inspired fedora. Barbie® adds a twist of her own style to the classic look with bejeweled matching earrings and high- heeled saddle shoes. Barbie® also pays tribute to Frank Sinatra with her chic pocket square in orange, Frank’s favorite color.

Available September 2011, the Sinatra Barbie® doll will be a truly tasteful touch to any Barbie® collection and is a must-have for Barbie® and Frank Sinatra fans alike.

Barbie & Stardoll Join forces!

Check out this press release:

Barbie^®, the world’s most popular fashion doll andStardoll^®, the globally renowned online fashion and gaming community for girls, The partnership marks the Stardoll^® brand’s first foray into translating its popular online fashion portal into physical dolls, allowing Barbie^® fans to extend the limitless possibilities of the Stardoll^® world offline.

The “Stardoll^® by Barbie^®” collection will feature eight new fashion dolls, based on four of the most popular virtual Stardoll^® stores in Starplaza. Inspired by Stardoll^® avatars, “Stardoll^® by Barbie^®” dolls come packaged mirroring signature avatar poses. Each doll features amazing details like rooted eyelashes, a unique face and body sculpt, as well as a distinct signature style, for a play experience that is authentically Stardoll^®.

“We’re pleased to be launching a big line of fantastic physical toys, going from virtual to the physical world,” said Mattias Miksche, CEO at Stardoll. “We’re partnering with Mattel because they share our passion for empowering girls and their creativity. We have forged a strong relationship and have lots of exciting things planned – watch this space.”

“This partnership represents two of the world’s largest girls’ brands uniting to create the ultimate fashion play experience,” said Stephanie Cota, Senior Vice President, WorldWide Marketing Barbie and Girls. “We look forward to inviting the Stardoll community into the three-dimensional world of Barbie with new signature dolls and fashions.”

About the “Stardoll® by Barbie^®” Collection

“Stardoll^® by Barbie^®” will be available at retail in the United States beginning November 2011, with another five dolls slated for spring 2012. “Stardoll^® by Barbie^®” will introduce two dolls inspired per Stardoll^® store: Fallen Angel, Bonjour Bizou, Doll Space and Pretty n’ Love. Sample fashions from each line include Fallen Angel, who rocks a gothic look in fingerless gloves and chain accents; Bonjour Bizou, a fashion-forward Stardoll^® sporting ruched miniskirts and graphic prints; Doll Space, in gorgeous ruffled tulle numbers with cropped tweed jackets; and Pretty n’ Love in cozy pink sweaters and heart-patterned tights. Three accessory packs let Stardoll^® fans mix and match the trendy, original fashions and accessories, and give girls the same fun interchangeable closet experience of the Stardoll^® virtual world in the real world.

“Stardoll^® by Barbie^®” dolls will come with a gift card for complimentary membership on Stardoll.com for new and existing members, Stardollars to spend on all Superstar items on the Stardoll^® site as well as free exclusive virtual gifts, connecting the online world to the real world and then back again.

The partnership plans to expand globally with the addition of more collections, products and online extensions in the future. The dolls will retail for $20.99 SRP and accessory packs will retail for $15.99 SRP each.