Mars Rising Anais Perrin and Mystic Moon Aymeline Perrin

 The W Club is starting the year with two doll purchase opportunities from designer Jason Wu. These dolls are dressed in inspired life-size creations from his Fall/Winter 2023 Collection.

"Mars Rising" Anais Perrin and "Mystic Moon" Aymeline Perrin

"Mars Rising" Anais Perrin

Comparison to life-size fashion from Jason's 2023 show. This is one of the first times that I think the doll looks so much better than the model. This model looks as if she's half dead.

I like all of the accessories! This is a really lovely doll. The colors are gorgeous and I have always wanted an Anais Perrin.

For W Club members, the price is $189 + S&H. [There shouldn't be a tariff but if there is, it will be $7.50.]

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"Mystic Moon" Aymeline Perrin

Aymeline is the same price to W Club members as Anais ($189 plus S&H) in spite of the fact that there is no extra fashion, no extra pair of legs and shoes. What could account for that discrepancy? (sarcasm) Perhaps the gown was more expensive in 'real' life.  Whatever.

I love Aymeline's hairstyle and face. She is a beauty.

I like both dolls. I'm just a classic Fashion Royalty collector at heart. 

Barbie Atelier Doll #1

An atelier (pronounced ah-TEL-ee-yay) is  a French term for an artist's workshop or studio. 

It specifically refers to a specialized workspace where professionals—often in fashion, painting, or sculpture—create, design, and produce high-quality, bespoke pieces. 

Synonyms include studio, workroom, and workshop. 

Details

Size: 14.5 inches (about 36.8–37 cm) tall — significantly taller than standard Barbie Signature dolls (typically 11.5–12.5 inches) or even taller Made to Move variants. This "Grand Couture Silkstone" body creates a statuesque, runway-model presence but means zero compatibility with regular Barbie clothing, shoes, or accessories.

Articulation: Over 23 points of articulation, including fully articulated fingers and toes. This is a major upgrade, allowing elegant, expressive poses (hand gestures, hip tilts, toe-pointing) far beyond typical Silkstone or Signature bodies.

Face & Eyes: Brand-new "Atelier" face sculpt with luminous glass eyes that give a serene, realistic depth and "wonder" expression— a step up from painted eyes in most prior dolls.

Hair: Intricate blonde styling (voluminous and elegant, evoking classic curly looks but with premium rooted quality).

Fashion: Fully removable, layered haute couture. #1 features a full pink ruffled coat with an oversized dramatic bow, tall pink boots with black bow details, pearl-like drop earrings, and an underlying embroidered sequin dress with grey tulle accents. The focus is decadent, removable glamour.

Stand & Accessories: Includes a dedicated display stand (she cannot stand alone due to the taller body and heavy fashion). Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity; packaging is premium collector-grade.

Price: $300 USD (retail; regional variations like ~$342–$500 equivalent in other markets due to shipping/taxes). Limit 1 per customer; sold out quickly on Mattel Creations, with possible restocks or secondary market availability.

Release & Availability: Unveiled at Mattel Creations REVEALED 2026 event (mid-March). Pre-orders opened shortly after; shipping targeted for on or before May 1, 2026. Exclusive to creations.mattel.com.

I asked GROK what reaction making this Barbie doll 14.5" tall has brought about from collectors. This was the information it provided:

Making the Barbie Atelier Doll #1 14.5 inches tall (on the new "Grand Couture Silkstone" body) has drawn significant criticism from collectors, despite the doll's praised innovations like glass eyes, finger/toe articulation, and haute couture fashion. Many argue it was a bad idea for several interconnected reasons rooted in Barbie's long-established ecosystem. 

I agree.

1. Complete Incompatibility with Existing Barbie Wardrobes and Accessories

This is the most common and vocal complaint. Standard Barbie dolls (Signature, playline, Made to Move, Silkstone, etc.) are typically 11.5–12.5 inches tall. The Atelier #1 is roughly 2–3 inches taller, with proportionally larger features. As a result:

• No shared clothing: Existing Barbie outfits, even from curvy or tall body types, are too small. Collectors must build an entirely new wardrobe from scratch (sewing, commissioning customs, or hoping Mattel releases separate fashions—which they rarely do in volume for niche lines).
• No shared shoes or accessories: Boots, heels, jewelry, and props don't fit. One reviewer noted it's like starting over, unlike third-party bodies that collectors expect to be incompatible.
• Historical parallel: Past larger or non-standard Barbies (e.g., certain Silkstone experiments) sold poorly precisely because they couldn't wear the vast 11.5" ecosystem that collectors have invested in for years.

This breaks the core fun of Barbie collecting for many: mix-and-match styling, restyling, and integrating new dolls into existing displays or dioramas.

2. Display and Integration Challenges

• Doesn't fit in standard setups: She won't work well in most dollhouses, playsets, or group photoshoots designed for 11.5–12" scale. Collectors who have built elaborate 1:6-scale scenes over decades find her isolating or out of proportion.
• Awkward "in-between" size: At 14.5", she's too big for classic Barbie scale but not quite aligned with popular larger fashion doll scales (e.g., true 1/4-scale BJDs around 16–18" or Integrity Toys lines). It feels like a "no man's land" that doesn't appeal broadly.
• 
  

3. Reduced Versatility and "Play" Value

Many collectors view her as "shelf-only"—beautiful for static display but limited for posing in varied scenarios or swapping pieces. The heavy emphasis on one fixed couture look (removable but still one outfit) plus the size means less long-term engagement compared to standard dolls that can be endlessly restyled with affordable or existing items.

4. Price vs. Value Perception at $300

The high price amplifies the frustration. For $300 (Platinum Label exclusive), some expect more accessories, multiple outfits, or at least compatibility with the broader Barbie world. Instead, buyers get one doll + stand + earrings, with the need to invest further in custom clothing. Critics compare her unfavorably to ball-jointed dolls (BJDs) that offer similar (or better) articulation and glass eyes at competitive prices in their scale, or to standard Signature dolls that feel more "part of the family."

5. Alienates the Core Collector Base

Barbie's appeal for many adult collectors lies in the consistent 11.5" scale, massive secondhand clothing market, and community sharing. A bold new scale feels like Mattel "losing sight" of what made Barbie collectible—versatility and community— in favor of "innovation for innovation's sake." Some call it an attempt to chase BJD or high-end fashion doll buyers without fully committing to those standards (e.g., joint quality concerns on Silkstone material).

Counterpoints (Why Mattel Did It Anyway)

Mattel positioned the larger scale as "daring" and "runway-ready," giving her a statuesque, diva presence with enhanced posability that shines in elegant, dramatic poses. It allows for more detailed couture elements and a fresh "unlike anything before" statement. Some collectors (especially those who also own 16–18" dolls) like the size and see potential for a new sub-line if Mattel supports it with future releases.

Overall Collector Sentiment (as of late March 2026)

While she sold out quickly on Mattel Creations (limited production, reportedly around 5,000 or fewer), much of the buzz highlights hesitation or outright disappointment over the scale. Secondary market prices hover near retail or slightly above, but long-term value may suffer if no supporting fashions or companions are released. Many say they'd have preferred the same innovations (glass eyes, extreme articulation) on a standard 11.5–12" body to maximize compatibility and appeal.

In short, the 14.5" height prioritizes dramatic uniqueness over practicality and ecosystem integration—core strengths that have sustained Barbie collecting for decades. For dedicated display-only fans of high-fashion experiments, it works; for most who value versatility, it feels like a misstep that isolates her from the Barbie world she belongs to.

Tell us what your reactions to this doll are in the comments. 

Street Wise Misaki Dressed Doll

 Here is the newest addition to the FR: Nippon lineup, "Street Wise" Misaki, designed by the newest Integrity Toys' designer, Pamela Thompson.

The edition size is 500. 200 have been reserved for W Club members via RTB lottery starting immediately. 

[Editor's Note: Although IT's original published announcement tells members to log into their IT account and then to try to ender the lottery by going to this link: cln59ecab.cc.rs6.net, the link server IP address returns a "site can't be reached." Perhaps it is too soon. Keep trying.]

 Integrity says:

For those of you who are unable to secure this doll via the W Club right-to-buy lottery or would like to secure a pre-order through the normal channels, here are the usual pre-order details.

Pre-orders for this doll should begin approximately sometime in mid-May 2026 and she will be available from any one of these sources (check these sites out from time to time; we do not have an exact date).

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng

http://www.hlj.com

International collectors (including America) will also be able to buy from the following site:

https://www.azone-int.co.jp/azonet/

Japanese customers ONLY will be able to purchase her directly from this site:

https://www.rakuten.co.jp/azone-int/

Please note that we do not have the exact time that this doll will be going live. The information above is all that has been shared with us at this time.

Item # 81106 Street Wise Misaki™ Dressed Doll The FR: Nippon™ Collection Edition Size: 500 Dolls Worldwide (200 W Club USA / 300 Azone Japan) Expected Ship Date (W Club RTB): July FOR W CLUB ONLY IT DIRECT RTB LOTTERY PORTION PRICE: $175 + S & H

Head Sculpt: Misaki Body Type: Misaki Foot Sculpt: Articulated Ankle Skin Tone: Japan Hair Color: Two-Toned Blue Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Estimated Tariff/Custom Fee Surcharge, If In Place (Portion passed on to customers; subject to below)*: $10.00 (RTB winners will pay $175 + S, H, taxes & any tariff surcharge* per doll, in full once the W Club portion of the dolls arrive at the IT warehouse). *As the tariff situation is in flux, we do not know if they will be fully removed or changed to another format or name. In order to ensure there are no surprises when the dolls ship, we are estimating the tariff or similar custom fee surcharges based on the levels of tariffs that were in place prior to the Supreme Court IEEPA ruling, and, per usual, only passing a portion of that on to customers. Should the actual fees (whatever they happened to be named) at that time be less, the actual amount charge will be lowered. If there are no additional fees incurred by Integrity Toys, there will be no surcharge. If the fees are higher at the time paid, the surcharge will likely be adjusted higher. Please contact us if any of this is unclear before pre-ordering and thank you for your understanding as we try to navigate this situation!

Included:   • 12-inch Misaki doll with rooted hair and face "piercings" (cheek “piercings” are applied with adhesive and do not pierce through the doll’s face; nose ring is inserted in/through the nose); • Ultra-cool window pane jacket with graphic patches and 3/4 sleeves; • Matching window pane mini skirt; • Blue and black striped knit long-sleeved body suit; • Black textured pantyhose; • Tall black platform combat boots; • Oversized black bag with skull graphic and chain detail; • Textured black hip belt with chain detail; • Separate black studded waist belt; • Black studded thigh belt; • Black choker with drop ring; • Spiked hoop earrings; • Black skull ring; • Black tube rings; • Pair of long-manicured hands • Alternate pair of grip hands; • Doll stand; • Certificate of authenticity.

A Look Back: Barbie, Her House and the American Dream

Take a stop-motion journey with the young, single homeowner of the Dreamhouse. Ken isn’t on the deed.

The live article from the New York Times was too varied to reproduce here so I have included the link to the unlocked offering from the paper. It is very enjoyable!

 https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/06/23/realestate/barbie-dreamhouse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.PVA.pVcT.SglC3oo99v2Y&smid=url-share

American Girl Dolls Get a Makeover By Gina Cherelus, New York Times

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of American Girl, a beloved doll brand that is equally invested in girlhood friendships and the domestic hardships of World War II, the toymaker Mattel announced a new line of redesigned dolls from its historical collection. What immediately jumped out at fans about its new Modern Era collection, aside from the characters’ Gen Z-inspired fashion sense, was that the dolls now appeared skinnier.

Of course, the backlash on social media was swift; in the replies to an Instagram post unveiling the new line, Ozempic jokes abounded.

Sophia Elizalde, a 20-year-old cosmetology student in Provo, Utah, said she loved the four American Girl dolls she owned as a child. “They had those little cloth bodies and they resembled little girls,” she said. “I didn’t look at them and see a skinny Barbie doll.”

The new Modern Era collection, unveiled on Feb. 11, plucks the first six American Girl characters from their historical contexts and imagines how they might look and dress if they lived in our world today.

For the 40th-anniversary transformation, Kirsten Larson, a Swedish immigrant in the 1850s, had her braided tresses pinned into space buns and saw her classic blue calico dress swapped for a fitted, over-the-knee frock with ruffles.

The Addy Walker character, who escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad, was now wearing her hair in long twists with slicked-down baby hairs, instead of her classic straw bonnet.

Since the 1980s, the American Girl brand has held a special place in the hearts of not only those of doll-playing age, but also adults who have grown up with the characters and maintain an abiding fondness for them.

So how can a self-described “multigenerational” brand remain committed to its traditional ethos that satisfies older fans, while also tapping into the trends and culture of its new ones?

“We want to spend the year honoring the legacy of the brand and the ongoing legacy of our characters because that’s what first ignited consumer passion,” Jamie Cygielman, the global head of dolls at Mattel, said in a phone interview. “And so Modern Era is a creative extension, really meant to celebrate the original historical characters in a different form.”

According to Ms. Cygielman, the new dolls weren’t redesigned to look thinner or to resemble teenagers. Unlike the original dolls, which were 18 inches tall, the updated dolls are 14½ inches, an established size that has existed in other American Girl product lines. The primary reason for the change of size and weight was for “ease of play” for younger consumers, she said.

“We are still deeply committed to the original 18-inch dolls and their stories,” Ms. Cygielman said, adding that American Girl would continue to sell “reissues of the original dolls, but also tell some new stories too.”

One American Girl fan, Emily Marks, 31, said she thought the new dolls were cute and was excited for this new collection.

“They still look like kids to me,” said Ms. Marks, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., and owned an American Girl doll as a child. “I like that it’s an entry of more interest into the historical dolls.”

Still, some fans claim that the style and beauty alterations gives the dolls a mature appearance, unlike the modest and historically accurate clothing they traditionally wore.

“I feel that the heads on these new ones look a lot bigger compared to the body,” said Adriana Ryan of Blackwood, N.J., 32, a recreation director at an assisted-living community, who also grew up playing with the historical dolls. “They’re almost very cartoonish-looking to me.”

“Maybe the dolls might appeal to kids today, but I think it’s definitely missing the historical appeal,” she added.

A former children’s textbook writer named Pleasant Rowland debuted the first three American Girl dolls in 1986, with characters from different historical periods and accompanying books for each telling their story. Mattel acquired her company in 1998 and, since then, has released a number of new products, books and doll lines.

Ms. Cygielman said when she joined the company in 2019, American Girl was finding that most of its adult consumer interests revolved around the original characters, but that younger consumers were gravitating toward the contemporary collections.

“I think the opportunity has been for us to merge history and modernity and get kids interested in storytelling and talking about the past,” Ms. Cygielman said.

Emily Kokidko, 28, who started the Instagram account @ModernAmericanGirlDolls, creates parody memes of different American Girl characters, including one who is obsessed with her air fryer and another who enjoys bagged salads and shopping at TJ Maxx. Ms. Kokidko says she believes her content is popular because of the universal nostalgia surrounding the brand.

“To see them in a new light, as maybe around their age, is fun for them,” she said. When she saw the announcement of the Modern Era collection, Ms. Kokidko said she was “excited at first.”

“And then when I saw the dolls themselves, I was kind of taken aback,” she said. “I was like, Wow, they are kind of skinny.”