First Ever Posable Silkstone Doll "Classic Black Dress"

Today, members of the BCC received invitations to order Classic Black Dress at the retail price of $40—surprisingly inexpensive.  I was able to use my first quarter $20 coupon bringing the total of this gal to only $25.95 including shipping.

This will be interesting.
http://www.thebarbiecollection.com/shop

Here's the description:

Gold Label®
Designer: Robert Best
Release Date: 2/1/2016

The little black dress is a staple in any sophisticated wardrobe. Barbie® doll wears this classic with an air of modern chic, featuring a dramatic deep “V” neckline and feminine bows at the shoulders. Tall boots and a signature ponytail complete the oh-so-fabulous look. For the first time ever, the 2016 BFMC series features a posable Silkstone® body, for endless posing possibilities.

Please note:

• Fashion designed especially for the Silkstone® Barbie® doll body. Not for use with other Barbie® dolls.
  
  Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown.

____________

In addition, all in stock Silkstone dolls went on sale. They're practically giving away the Silkstone Ken dolls at just above 50% off the already reduced prices. If the outfit on Blush Beauty didn't look so much like a prior fashion, I would have purchased her last year.

The website actually worked for 10 minutes. And then, when I wanted to do some research into the older Silkies, it took forever to load, then it froze again, loaded, froze again. They still have a lot of work to do.

W Club Registration for 2016

Is this the "moment you've been waiting for" as stated on the web page? I've been a member of the W Club since the beginning and this is the first year I've delayed joining. Registration closes on February 16, 2016.  I'm also not going to buy any of the 'upgrade' dolls - for the first time.

Here are the "perks and privileges" as listed:

If you are looking to get the latest scoop on every brand manufactured by Integrity Toys, search no more, the W Club is THE club to join! W Club members get the best perks in the industry, which makes a W Club membership a tremendous value! Aside from gaining access to the members-only W Club forum and exclusive newsletters, here's a peek at some of the great perks W Club members will get in 2016...

• Awesome Club Exclusive Dolls!
• For 2016, every member will have an opportunity (in addition to the upgrade dolls) to pre-order at least 5 exclusive Club-only dolls, including 2 Fashion Royalty dolls (which may include NU. Face), 2 exclusive Poppy Parker dolls, and 1 JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS™ doll*, plus additional surprise items!
• FREE Digital Subscription to DOLLS and Haute Doll Magazine!
• DOLLS Magazine is once again generously giving a FREE year-long digital subscription to every 2016 W Club member! This year-long digital magazine subscription is the best way to keep up to date on all of the dolly news!
• Updated This Year: Our Annual Coupon is Better Than Ever!
• Each W Club membership that you purchase will automatically add a special $25 coupon to your IT Direct Coupon Wallet that can be used towards ANY IT Direct shopping cart purchase of $99 or more online only during the 2016 W Club year! No more restrictions to W Club exclusive items-- as long as your order is above $99 before shipping and tax, you can apply your coupon towards any order of your choice!*

 As time goes by, the W Club becomes less like the club I joined which was all Fashion Royalty. I don't collect Poppy Parker or Jem. The 2 Fashion Royalty exclusives may be NuFace instead of FR.  But I keep joining because I'm afraid to miss something.

Yes, I still love my 12" dolls. They are a joy to look at. I buy designer clothes for them and they're staying but my passion for the 16" resin BJDs is where the dolly funds go for the most part.

Anyway, here are the three optional dolls that can be purchased along with membership:

Vanessa (3.0) "Take Me On" $130.
At first I was intrigued but she's the wrong Vanessa sculpt for me and I don't see her fashion as being useful or complete. I like the shoes and that's it.

Poppy Parker "Ma Petite Fleur" $120.

 Did someone say Beverly Hillbillies? I guess if you have a record with French songs on it, you're French. Poor Elly Mae Clampett (R.I.P.) She didn't have that.

Imogen "Be Daring" Nu Face  $120.

I like the outfit and the really cute skull jewelry. Looking closely at the fit of the top, I don't care for her boob joint so exposed like that and the fit at the arm seam doesn't look right.

Did you know that there were 2066 members in 2015 according to the member list. If you multiply say, 2055 paying members by $50. that equals $102,750. Take away $25. per member if everyone uses their coupon, you have $51,375. remaining. Of course, there are expenses (salaries, web) of which I have no idea but I'm going to guess that there is other income from the advertising which is a constant.
The entire operation is a brilliant, money-making, marketing tool.
For me, if I'm not going to get something of value that no one outside the club can get, it won't be worth it to continue. However, it is a difficult habit to break.

So the W Club will just be getting my $50. and we'll see if it's worth it. You know I'll let you know.

Did you join? If so, are you adding the extra dolls? 

Photos of the dolls and accessories are the property of Integrity Toys.

Editor's Note:

I've been informed by a friend that the Poppy Parker doll may be inspired by Brigitte Bardot who often wore pink gingham dresses.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Bardot

My Antonio Realli Fashions for Fashion Royalty

FDQ recently published my interview with dress designer, Antonio Realli of Brazil. Now I can show off the fashions that I showcased in that interview and a few more I've recently added.
My 12" dolls are definitely getting a wonderful fashion infusion.

Adele. Franklin Mint pearls.

 Below left is Elise and on the right, another Elise. Fashion Royalty shoes.

 Below on the left is yet another Elise and on the right is Vanessa. Fashion Royalty shoes.

Elise yet again. Added fur and FR hat.

Kyori

Natalia. Added Jewelry.

In every case, the seams are finished beautifully. The zippers are set in properly and work smoothly. There's not a stray thread hanging anywhere. Lest I forget, the fit is excellent. All the dolls shown have the FR2 body.

Of all the fashions I show above, the first and the last are my favorites for now. I will certainly be adding more this year.

His Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/toni.ritti.79
Website: http://www.antoniorealli.com/

Jamieshow Mel Odom's "Poised for Success" Zita Charles

After a few days of being trapped enroute due to a major blizzard, Zita finally arrived.

Zita is dressed in a stunning deep royal blue suit with a wide satin collar and cuffs in ivory. She's wearing a white blouse, blue and white pumps and a large dark blue tulle trimmed hat.

Unfortunately, the blouse was a design mistake. It's ill-fitting and looks messy under the jacket. However, I did see this in the promotional photos and I had the choice to buy or not. It's obvious which option I took.

Her face is just so adorable it's irresistible. Look at those lips!

Zita's wig cap is a deep mahogany red with a platinum streak. It's pulled back and turned under at the neck. She has a blue bow in her hair.

My wig cap, which George is going to replace, was rooted into dark brown resin which shows through on the forehead. I want to comb this one out to see how that looks but I suppose I'm going to have to return it. I hope the factory sees this wig cap and is careful not to repeat this.

In which direction should the cuffs have their opening? Away from the body, right? Of course. James would never stand for it.

Better with no shirt but on the revealing side. I've also turned up the hem of the skirt just for fun.

I didn't buy Zita for the fashion. I'm very happy with the doll herself. I'd like to see these Jamieshow Gene line dolls with fashions more like those of Phoenix, Violet and Gene Black Lipstick. I like gowns - well-made ones with some jewelry.

The New Barbie Doll Bodies

While I think it's a good thing that Mattel recognizes the fact that women come in different shapes and sizes, I still think they have a long way to go if their intention is to represent a cross section of the population. These new dolls offer 4 body types, 7 skin tones, 18 eye colors and 18 hairstyles. The body types are the new additions. There will also be clothes that come in specific sizes to fit each doll.  Good luck with keeping that organized.

Mattel wants their Barbies to reflect "real-life girls and women." Does anyone who plays with these dolls wonder why they don't have vaginas? There's not the slightest indication that there might be something down there.

She looks pregnant.

Individual dressed dolls are $9.99 which is very reasonable IMO. Dressed dolls with two additional fashions will cost $19.99. Not all the variations are available; some are pre-order at

http://shop.mattel.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=45063936&utm_source=barbie-brand-site&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dawn-launch


This is a step in the right direction...a very tiny step.

More good photos: http://www.barbie.com/en-us

Tonner Doll Company...Gradually Slipping Away?

The well-known and admired Doll Dr. from the Tonner Doll Company, Noreen Morris, let me know today that she was let go due to company consolidation.

Many businesses cut back in hard times but when a very popular representative is let go, it affects customers' feelings towards the company.

No one can replace her cheerful demeanor and swift attention to detail.

I feel a personal loss as I met Noreen at the beginning of my collecting. I've written about it previously. The event was at an outdoor Tonner trunk sale. I only had Tiny Kitty dolls at that time. When I saw Tyler, I fell in love with her and bought several. Noreen predicted that it was "over" for me. If you don't get what "over" means...she meant the beginning of a joyous collecting adventure, which it was.
I still have many beloved Tonner dolls in my collection. I really wonder if I'll ever add more. Is Tonner done?

Waiting to see.

You can send Noreen a message on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightdobes

http://www.the-doll-hospital.com/

Dr. Noreen's Doll Hospital

I know that she would love to hear from all the collectors she's met over the years.