Barbie Fashion Icons hits the Milan catwalk again

It's autumn so fashion weeks are running one after another, from New York to London to Milan and Paris. Vogue Italia, in collaboration with Mattel and fashion designers, once again organised a Barbie Fashion Icons exhibition along Milan Fashion Week at Palazzo Morando from the 21st of September.

The fashion designers this time are:

• Massimo Giorgetti for Emilio Pucci
• Alessandra Facchinetti for Tod’s
• Alessandro Dell’Acqua for Rochas
• Salvatore Ferragamo Creative Team
• Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant for Courrèges
• Lorenzo Serafini for Philosophy
• Arthur Arbesser for Iceberg
• Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi for Fay
• Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli
• Veronica Etro for Etro

The designers picked their preffered version of the doll, curvy, petite, tall etc. and created a unique fashion for her, showcasing their brand's vision for Barbie. Matching accessories were also designed and made. The results are sublime and once again prove how creative the doll world can become. 

Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli

The September issue of Vogue Italia also had an interview with Richard Dickson, President and CEO of Mattel. A small sample of the article is here.

Lorenzo Serafini for Philosophy

The magazine issue also features the photo shoot on a special thick paper four page insert while their Vogue Talents supplement also features a full page feature with the second photo.

Alessandro Dell’Acqua for Rochas

Arthur Arbesser for Iceberg

Alessandra Facchinetti for Tod’s

Massimo Giorgetti for Emilio Pucci

Salvatore Ferragamo Creative Team

Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant for Courrèges

Veronica Etro for Etro

Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi for Fay

All photos courtesy of Mattel and Vogue Italia. Photography and set design by Adrian Gidi.

First W Club doll for 2015 is here - and it is Poppy Parker

Just a couple of nights ago, W Club members received news of the very first doll to be offered to them for 2015. And it is none other than Poppy Parker, making it a sneak peak into this year's line of Poppy dolls that will be inspired by the top models of the 60s, Model Scene. The surprise was that she is not just a doll - she is a gift set with three different outfits and three different heads. Yes, the quick-switch system is alive and well and makes an appearance again this year, despite the problems with last year's Loni/Poppy doll, Sabina Havoc, that had her heads wobbly on the switch neck; Integrity Toys had to replace many bodies (including my doll's). The set is called Mood Changers (fitting) and two of the three fashions are mod-inspired (with a space-age hint) while the third is more early 60s. Let's see what's in-store:

Item # PP079
Mood Changers
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll Gift Set
The Model Scene Collection
2015 W Club Exclusive
Limited Edition Size: TBA 
Estimated Ship Date: Approximately 
Special W Club Price: $160.00 + Shipping, Handling and Applicable Sales Tax*.

*Deposit of $30.00 due immediately at pre-order, balance of $130.00 + shipping and handling (and tax for Maryland residents) due approximately Fall 2015.

Doll Tech Specs:

Head Sculpts: Poppy
Body Type: Poppy Parker™ 
Quick Switch Feature: Yes
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Colors: Auburn (Head # 1), Raven (Head # 2), Lilac (Head # 3)
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand Applied

Poppy's first look is an elegant party dress in black satin with silver and black organza overlay. Glittering jewellery, a matching bolero jacket and black hose and shoes complete this "Jazzy" ensemble. Her hair is in a side swept low bun in a shade of auburn and her make-up is in smoky shades of grey. I think this is the best version of this gift-set, she's the winner hands down. I'd get her even if she was just this one single doll. Pure perfection.

The second look is a delicate lace pant-suit in a vision of sea foam. Satin trim details finish off this look on Poppy. Her side parted raven wavy hair accentuates her make-up in complementary shades of sea foam. This one looks great - it would look even better if the outfit was in white or black. This is straight from Courrèges in 1964, as you can see below (photo by Ronald Falloon):

It is also very similar to what Diane Kruger wore to the Met Gala on Monday, by Chanel. Her face looks gorgeous, even with this particular eye-shadow. She could be Meghan Draper from Mad Men on a night out.

The last look is a pale pink mini dress with silver sequin trim.Completing the look is a smashing hairstyle in a subtle shade of lilac and pink make-up making for an over the top, space age look. A Poppy with lilac hair!

She looks a bit weird in this hair colour and make up - if she was not in the gift set, I do not think I would buy her as a stand-alone doll. Which is precisely why she's offered like this.

This outfit is a Pierre Cardin original from 1969, a pink silk-crèpe mini-dress with puffed metallic trim around the hem and collar, as we can see in the photo from L'Officiel below (photo by Roland Bianchini):

Poppy Parker is a 12-inch vinyl/plastic articulated fashion doll with three fully rooted, interchangeable heads. Comes complete with accessories and a doll stand. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. Pictures of prototype shown; final production colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos (unless otherwise mentioned) and doll information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission