Photoshoot (The Do-Over)

Dasha and Elise had a second chance in front of the camera earlier today. What a difference the proper background makes!

 Mauve Absolue wearing Behind the Drama's gown and a vintage mink stole.

 Geometry showed up wearing a Ficon leather gown.

In the image above, I desaturated the backdrop and column.

The Mermaid Barbie Doll

Designed by Linda Kyaw, released on 2/8 and on backorder until 3/8/2012. Price $100.

Description:
Sure to make waves wherever she goes, Mermaid Barbie® doll wears a sheer bodice accented with beads and rhinestones in iridescent blue and silver. Iridescent paillettes create the first half of her shimmery tail ending with two different shades of pleated organza.

Pretty picture, isn't it? I would like to see this doll in person. She comes with the rock display but the ad says she cannot stand alone as shown.  I know many Barbie collectors do not remove their dolls from the boxes and this one is definitely a 'stay-in-the-box' doll. I can see this as a lovely 8X10 print for a doll room.

So what do you think? Is $100 a fair price for this mermaid beauty?

Mary T's Doll House to Close

An announcement signed by Mary T of Mary T's Doll House was sent out earlier this evening. Here is the text:

I just wanted to write and update everyone on what is happening at Mary T's Doll House.  I have had a great time being a doll dealer, but the time has come to move onward and forward.  As a result, I will be shutting the shop down.  This is not an easy decision, but one that is right for me.   I have decided not to carry any of the 2012 lines and Integrity is aware that I declined my allocations.  My website will remain active for awhile so that I can sell remaining stock.  I have had a wonderful 14 years as a dealer and I thank each and every customer for supporting me all these years.  I am still  a collector at heart, so I hope to stay in touch with many of you as I consider you all not just customers, but my friends.

_______________

 

BFC Membership for 2012 Opens Today

Membership for the 2012 season in the Barbie Fan Club opened today for current members. New members may begin to register on February 15. This year all members will received a Silkstone dress form.

That's a big step up from a mouse pad. Of course you will also get your membership card.

 Every 3 months you get a $20. credit towards a purchase. There have been occasions when it was more than $20. You cannot save up your credits as each expires at the end of the quarter in which it is granted.

Membership is $24.95. This year I was charged $2. tax for the first time. Soon I will have to pay tax on the air I breathe.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop

Fashion Sleuth Challenge

I have a challenge to the sleuths. Find sources for the clothes Jason Wu designed before he left the new crop of designers in charge. Did he copy or design?? Go back 5 or more years to the Fashion Royalty dolls outfits.

There will always be similar parts of fashion from one item to another. But as you can see below, there is no mistaking where the dolls' outfits came from. That's what I want you to look for.

A fashion sleuth over at Dolly Daily, corvas, posted these images. The interpretations are amazingly similar. There's no doubt as to the source of the clothes for these dolls.

Dior Resort 2008 - Adele/VeroStyle Counsel - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Air Apparent Vero - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Business Class Anja - Dior Fall 2008 RTW

Point of Departure Eugenia - Dior Resort 2008

Photoshoot From Hell

 I'm turning into a lazy photographer. I'd rather take stupid iPhone photos than go into my studio and do the real thing. I'm lazy in the studio, too. I had a handbag to sell so I hung up a contrasting piece of fabric and shot some pictures. Then instead of changing the background to suit the dolls I wanted to photograph, I decided to leave it. Blech. I knew it wasn't working almost immediately but didn't do anything to change it. It's a good thing I'm not doing this for money. On the other hand, if I were getting paid, perhaps I'd be less lazy.

Here you have a lesson in how backgrounds can ruin photographs. Ugh. I don't even want to talk about how much work it was to pull these images out. The last one, of course, has had it's background completely Photoshopped.
In the second picture of Dasha I desaturated the yellow tones. Compare it to the picture that follows and you will see what I mean. Both dresses are the same color IRL.
The dresses on Dasha and Elise are by Cholo. Vanessa is the former Intoxicating Mix rerooted. She is wearing Ayumi's outfit. That is also Ayumi's FR2 body. Ayumi's (ugly) head is on the way to Italy.