2012 BFMC Gala Gown Barbie Doll:

 On 3/22 these images were posted of a new Silkstone called Gala Gown Barbie Doll.  Today Sandi Holder's Doll Attic and Angelic Dreamz posted her on their website without definite prices. Update: price at those sites is $149.99.

The gown looks gorgeous but I am gun shy since Afternoon Suit arrived looking so different from the promotional photo. She was pretty much one of the most disappointing Silkstones I've ever purchased.

I do like the look of Gala Gown as I love red-haired dolls and her heart shaped lips are so pretty. But I just know that mine would arrive with freaky-looking hair. Actually, I don't like the hair on the promo either.

Some places have prices listed in the $130.-$145. range. The doll is scheduled to arrive in the fall of 2012.

Filling Down Time

This is a quiet time in Dolldom. Initial pre-orders have arrived and the wait for the rest has begun. It's a good time to both squander the hours hunting down bargains or actually playing with one's collection. Many, like myself, have taken a second look at their pre-order lists and have realized that some of that time had better be spent selling. My collection is always in flux with dolls and accessories getting voted off the island and other arriving for their sojourn.
I am the shipping buddy for an active collector in Portugal for whom I slave over deboxing her goodies prior to shipping. My poor dolls have to try on the clothes.
I rarely play with Poesie Sans Couleur. This is just the most beautiful Vanessa ever. After all this time I can't get over how stunning she still looks to me. She had been wearing a black fashion for a very long time and I was worried about staining. Luckily, she was stain free and just happen to be around when "Winning Ensemble" was deboxed.

 

I never ordered it because the black coat, hat and shoes did not do anything for me or for the colors of the dress.

Integrity Toys' Photo

I didn't bother unpackaging the accessories or the coat and I gave Vanessa silver shoes. I love the look now and I want the dress. Oy. What a difference the lightness of the silver shoes makes. The black shoes drag the eye down to the feet in the promo image. The dress looks more feminine and the colors are more important without all that black.

Today's photoshoot included this Silkstone Barbie doll called Parisienne Pretty. This is a shot of her shortly after she arrived in 2009.

She's got a great outfit but an extremely hard-looking face and the gigantic forehead doesn't help at all.
I tried to like her. At one point I was going to sell her because I can't keep dolls that annoy me.

Yesterday she met up with another item that has been challenging, the red gown from the Kyori "Deceptively Yours" giftset. I had removed the bow a while back but still had not found a doll that could wear the dress. This one can.

I added a red patent belt, red rhinestone bracelet and some mixed bead earrings and I like the look. It did not fit off the rack; I had to sew it tighter. I  took a couple of basting stitches back and forth across the back to tighten up the bodice.

I feel sad that I sold off so many of my early Silkstone dolls when I decided that I wasn't going to collect them any longer. Oh well. Hopefully they are having good lives in their new homes. ;-)

Tomorrow I will show the results of the other dolls who were part of today's big photoshoot so stay tuned!

Two Silkstone Dolls I'd Like to Have...But

I do love to add an occasional beautiful Silkie to my small collection. I liked Palm Beach Coral the minute I saw her. I did not like her price of $139.99. They have got to be kidding, right? I pay that much for fully articulated Fashion Royalty dolls - not that they're worth it either.

This is my other favorite this year. Not only is the doll and gown beautiful but the photograph is superb. I love the setting. It's so well done. She is the 10th Anniversary Silkstone (Tribute Barbie) and will be sold for $145. when she hits the stores in November of this year.

10th Anniversary Silkstone Barbie

 

 

 

 

 

 I'll just have to be content to look at the pictures.

Dollz in Oz Event Doll is a Fashion Royalty Agnes

Some of you may know that Agnes is not my favorite character due to the fact that she sports a serious scowl all the time. I'm not a fan of misery so why should my dolls look miserable? Lately, Agnes is looking a little happier and this Agnes looks downright non-committal. Actually I think she looks beautiful. She's been named "Regal Estate" Agnes. At first I thought it said Real Estate and I can picture her as a real estate agent. The suit reminds me of that from the 2009 Agnes Optic Verve Giftset below on the right (or the 2nd down depending on your monitor.) A little too much of a coincidence perhaps?

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The companion doll (an optional purchase) was a Monogram Doll called Magnetism. All I can say about this one is that the photographer did a fabulous job. The lighting and posing are excellent. The sculpt was screened with a closed mouth. The wig appears to be the 'default' low pony tail style with a side sweep of forehead covering hair. Or perhaps it is rolled under into a fancy bun. I can't tell. I like the frosted gold eyeshadow. Below on the right (or the 2nd down) is Dania Zarr in Optic Clash from the 2009 FR convention. It looks like there's a game of "Monkey See; Monkey Do" going on here. If a movie star wore any one of these gowns to a red carpet event, she'd be on the worst dressed list pretty fast.

Mattel's Silkstone Barbie "Stunning in the Spotlight"

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Pink and black and mermaid gowns are so yesterday. Tonner came up with modern and classy uses of pink and black in the first two outfits below created for Antoinette. The third, created for Tyler, works with the fabric to create interest.

Silkstone Palm Beach Line has Production Issues

This information was posted in three separate posts by BCLizG on the Modern Forum:

"Thank you for all of the comments and questions on the Palm Beach line. We take all of our collector feedback very seriously and discuss every issue with a global team from our headquarters in El Segundo to our manufacturing facilities in Asia.
Because we do take every comment so seriously, we like to review thouroughly so we can give a full and accurate update. Sometimes, that means it takes us a few days.
Yes, the Palm Beach Bathing suit doll is slightly larger than some retired dolls in the BFMC line. This is due to normal manufacturing variances. All of the dolls in the Palm Beach line will be of a similiar size.
Secondly, the Palm Beach Breeze legs are further apart than our spec, and we are working withour maufacturing teams to correct.
I want to assure you that our teams hold quality as our highest commitment, and are deeply concerned when we see these types of variances. "

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"We do not expect the other 2010 Silkstone dolls to have a size variance. I will put together a special preview with photos of production dolls in advance of the on-sale date.
We will not offer a replacement doll program for the Breeze doll. Mattel does stand behind quality product so if you have individual concerns, please call the number listed on the packaging. "

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"We will not offer a replacement doll program for the Breeze doll. Mattel does stand behind quality product so if you have individual concerns, please call the number listed on the packaging.
If you have any concerns about your doll, please call customer service, or the number that is listed on your package invoice. Thanks Liz. "

I did not notice a problem with my Palm Beach Honey.