Brazilian Banana Bonanza Barbie by Bob Mackie

Bob Mackie's latest addition to the Barbie family has been announced - $150 retail with a Nove,ber 15, 2012 release date: Brazilian Banana Bonanza Barbie.

Interestingly, she was designed by Robert Best for the Bob Mackie collection, unless this is a typo. She's a Gold Label collector doll, and she's quite cute. I saw a real-life version of her at the National Barbie Collectors Convention, and she's pretty impressive.

She's a Barbie Collector direct exclusive, and you can see additional photos on BarbieCollector.com.

Photo is property of Mattel.

Barbie Eternal

Barbie Eternal, a photo by alington on Flickr.

She's the convention doll from this year's Barbie convention, designed by Magia 2000. I think she's simply gorgeous!

I chose the African American version--the Caucasian version uses the Mackie sculpt, I believe.

Check out more convention photos on Flickr. I'll have lots more updates soon!

Great OOAK outfits for Barbie

By Patita Taylor! If you're here at convention, do NOT miss this room--check the bulletin board for her room number. Lots of dolls for sale, and great boxed fashions, including hats, shoes and accessories for only $35! Just wonderful work!

I'll have an interview with the artist in the upcoming weeks.

Lines Are Not Just For Comic Con

Just a little update from the Barbie Convention. Kathie and I are currently waiting patiently in line for Matt Sutton to open his room for his OOAK sale. It is now approximately 3:30 PM, his sale starts at 5 PM. I'll provide photos when I figure out how to do it when posting from my phone. I'm just a little technically challenged!

The Blonds Diamond™ Barbie Doll

Coming in August, the Blonds Diamond™ Barbie will be released. No news yet on price or edition size, but she is sure to be a hit.

I have to confess, I'm not always a fan of simply white fur, sparkle and pink, for some reason... if this girl looks as nice as her promotional photos, I'm pretty excited! I love that it's the lining of her coat that's lined--and I can't help thinking how cool and versatile that diamond encrusted cocktail dress would be in my collection.

Here's the information about the designers, Philipe and David Blond:

Phillipe and David Blond met in New York City and launched The Blonds in 2008. Together they have created collections that have taken the design world by storm.
Featuring over the top looks full of glamour and spectacle embellished with crystals, chains, sequins and spikes, their pieces have garnered rave reviews from editors, fashion writers, stylists and celebrities alike, including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Fergie, Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Beyonce Knowles.  Quickly gaining global stature, The Blonds have been featured in Vogue, L’Officiel, Dazed & Confused, Prestige, GQ, Elle, Marie Claire , InStyle and V Magazine. Supermodels Gisele Bundchen, Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman and Iman have all been photographed in The Blonds custom couture.
In 2008 The Blonds were nominated for the Fashion Group International Rising Star Award for Womenswear.   In 2009 The Blonds were the exclusive designers at the Life Ball in Vienna, Austria - one of the largest AIDS charities and runway shows in the world - hosted by President Bill Clinton, Katy Perry and Eva Longoria. The Blonds received the esteemed Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award for Womenswear in 2009. With the EDFF grant, The Blonds presented one of the most exciting shows at New York Fashion Week. Since then, they have continued to deliver captivating runway shows, season after season!
In 2010 The Blonds collaborated with Mattel to design three one of a kind Barbie dolls.

Images property of Mattel.

One more doll I miss

This lovely doll was a UFDC exclusive from 2008. Surprise Engagement uses the Daphne sculpt with dark brown hair and painted blue eyes. She is limited to only 210 dolls, and can be quite difficult to find.

I believe she was part of a design competition, and no one knew which doll was chosen until the doll was opened at the luncheon. Her gown is a taupe satin with velvet print, with a mint oversized bow on the back, and she's just lovely!

Italian Doll Convention charity items on Ebay.it

Queen of the Forest - by Magia 2000 and George Gonzales (JAMIEshow)

Check out the fabulous auction items on Ebay.it from the Italian Doll Convention! The proceeds of these auctions will benefit Foundazione Blu and its Project Monitan, which sponsors children's participation in educational and recreation activities in improverished areas within Monobitan Park, Calcutta. Many designers have donated items, including:

• Matt Sutton
• Artist Creations
• Paul Pham
• Matt Trujillo
• Magia 2000
• Ninimomo
• Patrick Kon
• Two wigs by Ilaria Mazzoni
• Magia 2000 and George Gonzales (JAMIEshow)
• Maurizio Andreuccetti & Artist Creations
• Superfrock (it's a Chalk White!)
• Robert Best

Go bid! There are some really incredible one-of-a-kind dolls available. The auctions end in a week, and will ship after the event and before June 1.

New and improved dolls, or sticking with tradition?

Au Milieu de L'Hiver Tyler Wentworth (version 2.0), bendy wrist body by Tonner Doll Company

What's your preference? Do you like new and improved dolls--new body styles, new body sizes and scales, new types of knees? New couture styles? New doll lines? Character and movie figures that appeal to people other than traditional doll collectors?

Are you more of a traditionalist? Do you keep your dolls NRFB? Do you like the doll's original body type? Do you collect a single scale, or a single body type? Do you like classic fashions? Does it bother you when a company creates a new body type, or ignores the original body style you collect?

My daughter and I were discussing the issue the other day. She said she thinks it's a good idea when a company introduces a new body to the line, especially if you have the original. Eventually, the original body will become obsolete and hence, more valuable over time. You might have to wait a while, but the original body will become rarity, both in your collection and on the market.

My personal collection is varied--I have a lot of body shapes and sizes. I love to have a variety of sizes of dolls, even if the outfits aren't exactly interchangeable--and yes, I'll admit that it can be annoying when the shoes don't work across the board. But I love the excuse to mix and match, and collect shoes on their own merit. I wonder--does this make me an exception?

I get excited when I see new additions to a doll company's line. It inspires me when an artist in inspired by a fashion icon or an era, and I love to see new body types in the line up. I love to try them out, and see how posing varies, even within the doll company's own line. Seeing a beloved face on a new body is a new treat for me as well.

Again, I tend to be more fashion forward in my own personal style, however. And even when I don't see something in a doll company's line up that I have to have, I don't tend to take it as a personal insult; I prefer to see it as an opportunity to build up my vintage or other (BJD) collection, or work on older grails for the season. I still enjoy seeing what the designers at the company are up to, and where they are headed. (My wish list seems to be pretty much bottomless, unfortunately!)

How about you? Does your collection stick to a single scale or body type? Can you imagine a doll or outfit that would make you add a size? Are you inspired to see what inspires doll artists, or do you wish doll companies would design only dolls to your tastes? Does it inspire you to see dolls that you wouldn't personally want in your own collection? I'd love to hear your opinion!

Couture Doll Design Challenge is starting its fourth season!

Attention, all doll clothing designers:

Couture Doll Design Challenge (CDDC) is starting season 4 on February 4, and it's time for your chance to enter as a contestant!

A major change this year is that there will be three categories for competition: beginner, intermediate, and professional. That's a fantastic idea, so you can compete in your level, and have a chance to win.

If you're interested, check out CDDC's website and send in a short biography and a few photos of your work! Let me know if you're competing, and I can root for you, too.