Yves Saint Laurent Barbie dolls - a dream come true
We had been teased for quite a while with images of the Yves Saint Laurent dolls, mainly from the instagram account @barbiestyle . At the beginning they were supposedly OOAK dolls, then it emerged that they would enter production. And now, finally, they are here. Available to buy at Barbie.com (only the pink and black gown available) for $150,00 each and, in Paris, at the department store Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche (not online). The release is in collaboration with the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris.
Let’s see what Mattel says about the collaboration:
With a shared passion for personal style, Barbie® honors French fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent (b. 1936 - d. 2008), for his vast impact on women’s 20th century fashion. One of the greatest names in fashion history, Yves Saint Laurent invented the modern woman’s wardrobe: the pea-jacket and trenchcoat in 1962, the first tuxedo in 1966, the safari jacket and the pantsuit in 1967, and the first jumpsuit in 1968.
While constantly in search of simplicity, each collection was also a chance to bring his dreams to life. Fascinated by different cultures, nostalgic of a ‘lost time,’ he came up with dresses that transported the public to an imaginary elsewhere, from Russia to China, from India to Morocco. He also developed numerous garments directly referencing the artists he admired such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Vincent Van Gogh, and of course Piet Mondrian.
And now the dolls, one by one:
Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Doll Mondrian dress
Paying homage to the visionary designer, Barbie® models Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic Mondrian dress from the Autumn-Winter 1965 collection. The multi-colored knit dress recalls the Dutch artist’s sense of geometry, while a seamless patchwork and sleek back zipper reflect the designer’s keen attention to detail. Black heels with silvery buckles and pearly earrings finish the timeless look. This beautiful doll is presented in collaboration with the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris.
Collection: Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Dolls
Label: Platinum Label®
Designer: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 11/05/2018
Body Type: Model Muse
Fashion: Multi-colored geometric knit dress, pearly earrings, black heels
Eyelashes: Painted
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Included with doll: Earrings, dress, shoes, doll stand
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 16/9/5
Package Weight: 5.0706 lbs
SKU #: GCM97
I have been writing it time and time again but nothing changes - and it does not seem it ever will. Charging $150 for non-articulated dolls is preposterous. If Mattel cared about collector dolls, I mean really cared, they would have created a good articulated body, an evolution of their early pivotal one for example, to use for special dolls like these, that could be made to pose elegantly in a variety of poses as befits their high fashion style. Instead, one gets the Model Muse body, immovable, frozen like a statue, doing no service to the exquisite clothes it is wearing.
And yes, this is a gorgeous dress, not only being a miniature YSL dress but being faithful to the original. It is made of separate pieces making up the Mondrian pattern instead of a print, just like the real one was. The dress is lined and the quality is good. The detailed earrings and specially designed shoes complete it perfectly. More about the gorgeous box at the end of the post.
Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Doll Safari Jacket
Paying homage to the visionary designer, Barbie® models Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic 1968 safari jacket. This garment was specifically created for Vogue (Paris) for a spread in their magazine. The desert-hued, front-laced safari jacket, which is inspired by clothing of westerners in Africa, includes a stylish hip-hugging O-ring belt. It’s a fresh, modernized look that features black knee-length shorts, jaunty sueded boots, and is topped with a floppy, fringed bush hat. This beautiful doll is presented in collaboration with the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris.
Collection: Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Dolls
Label: Platinum Label®
Designer: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 11/05/2018
Body Type: Model Muse
Fashion: Safari jacket, knee-length shorts, suede boots
Eyelashes: Painted
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Included with doll: Hat, earrings, boots, belt, blouse, shorts, doll stand
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18/7/11
Package Weight: 5.0706 lbs
SKU #: FJH71
What a gorgeous rendition! The jacket is almost perfect, a fantastic recreation of the original, made famous in the iconic Verushka image, photographed for Vogue in 1968 (photo by Franco Rubartelli). Attention to detail is again good, with fabric boots and hat. Pity the Karl sculpt is not a match for Verushka’s face - I think each doll should have had a different sculpt.
Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Doll Paris gown
Paying homage to the visionary designer, Barbie® models Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic ‘Paris’ evening gown from 1983. A ruched pink satin bodice culminates in the back with an oversized pink satin bow, while luxurious black velvet drapes to the floor with an elegant slit. Black pumps, red and black rhinestone bracelets and earrings, and an iridescent statement necklace are the finishing touches to this glamourous look. This beautiful doll is presented in collaboration with the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris.
Collection: Barbie® Yves Saint Laurent Dolls
Label: Platinum Label®
Designer: Linda Kyaw
Release Date: 11/05/2018
Body Type: Model Muse
Fashion: Evening gown with a ruched pink satin bodice, oversized satin bow, black pumps
Eyelashes: Painted
Fashion Sewn On?: No
Included with doll: Bracelets, earrings, necklace, doll stand
Doll Stand: Yes
Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18/7/11
Package Weight: 5.0706 lbs
SKU #: FPV66
The Paris gown photographed by Gilles Tapie in 1983
This is the only doll still available at the Barbie.com shop, so run if you want it. For me it is the least desirable from the trio, but still want to get it. Would have liked to see another iconic YSL dress though, from his later years, or even better the “Le Smoking” tuxedo.
Special mention goes to the box design, with the logo of the museum at the front and the Yves Saint Laurent info and photo inside, plus the fabric ribbon tie (like the Poppy Parker older boxes). Great job Mattel. I wish I could afford these.
The second W Club doll for 2018 is a Split Decision: two Poppy Parker doll giftset
The W Club doll’s are very late this year - we had been given only one up till know, from five total. So the second one could not be more timely in its arrival. It was mentioned in the convention by Integrity Toys and everyone was waiting for the news. Are they good? Oh yes! It’s nit just one, but two dolls as a giftset. And one of them is a Bergdorf Goodman Poppy variation!
Item # PP135
Split Decision
Poppy Parker™ Duo-doll Gift Set
The Poppy Parker™ Collection
2018 W Club Exclusive
Edition Size: TBD
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Body Type: Poppy Parker 1.5
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: FR White (Both Dolls)
Hair Colors: Dark Brown (1st Doll) and Silver/Gray (2nd Doll)
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
Included:
- Two 12.5" fully articulated dolls with fully rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;
- The first doll comes fashionably dressed for a glamorous day of shopping in a waist-length faux-fur jacket over a lovely pale metallic lamé blouse that features an oversized bow tie. The look is completed with a pair of high-glam faux-leather shorts;
- The second doll comes fashionably dressed in a chic metallic sheath dress with net overlay, that features a removable pleated cummerbund/sash that allows the dress to be worn two different ways;
- Beaded chain necklace;
- Hoop earrings;
- Pearl stud earrings;
- Oversized sunglasses;
- Two bracelets;
- Two finger rings;
- Purse;
- Quilted boots;
- Black pumps;
- Shopping bag accessory;
- Certificate of authenticity;
- Doll stand.
Offer Type: W Club Exclusive pre-order.
Participation Deadline: November 19th, 2018, Noon Eastern time.
Special Pricing: $189.00 USD + S & H per gift set.($35 NRD deposit per gift set due now, balance of $154.00 + S & H per gift set due approximately late-winter / early-spring 2019).
Final Edition Size: To be determined, will be based on all pre-orders received.
Shipping Timing: Approximately late-winter / early-spring 2019.
Availability: 2018 W Club members only.
Order Limit: Up to 1 gift set per membership.
The deadline for W Club members to pre-order this giftset is November 19th, 2018 at noon North American Eastern Time. The rest will either have to get it on the secondary market or from a friend that’s a club member willing to sell his own.
Quite a set, no? The main attraction is of course the Bergdorf Goodman clone, which, if one had to choose, would surely influence any split decision! She does look a lot like the doll she mimics, even has a similar outfit but in different materials and colour. Gorgeous doll, even though I am not sure about the boots. And quite a smart move, pairing her with another doll, as this will surely become one of the most ordered dolls in W Club history.
The second doll pales in comparison to the first, even though she is a lovely doll. She has a major flaw: the very long bangs that hide even her eyes, making her look weird. Some people thought she was another sculpt altogether. If the bangs are trimmed, she will surely look much better. I’d have gone for smaller earrings and a choker for this one. Unfortunately there’s only one necklace in the set, probably to keep the price low.
Final fabrics, colors and textures may vary slightly. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. FASHION ROYALTY, POPPY PARKER, NU. FACE, EAST 59TH, THE INDUSTRY and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton. Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.
December to remember - a special invitation by Tonner Doll
Tonner Doll sent out today an invitation for a sale event at Best Western Plus in Kingston, NY, something they have done before. This time though they are clearing house, so they will be selling lots of prototype dolls. Full information in their text, below:
Dear Friends!
We're inviting YOU to an "Event" quite unlike anything we've ever hosted before!
Here's a bit of what's to come...
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, in just three days...we will send out an email with registration information (and a link) for signing up for this "Once in a Lifetime Opportunity." Regonline is our hosting site for you to "sign" up as we've done for all our events in the past. PLEASE NOTE, and READ CAREFULLY HERE, the registration will begin at 12 Noon Eastern time on Thursday, November 15, 2018th. Once registration is complete (125 people maximum) we will conduct a lottery and assign entrance numbers to everyone. Once you arrive and check in begins you'll receive your name badge and entry number and line up accordingly. Ooooh, and the excitement begins!
For what you ask...
As you can see from the "snippets" below through images, we've collected quite an array of items over the years to rival even the most compulsive saver. BUT we're turning over a new leaf and YOU get an opportunity to "peek into the Bat Cave" and take your pick from...
Never produced samples, assortments of dolls, and bodies, line products, pre-production samples, patterns, wigs, and outfits
Can you say TONS of fabric, swatch bags, trims, flowers, bits, bobs, beads, baubles and more
How about LIFE SIZE Robert Tonner Fashion Line Clothing (with a private tent for trying on)
Costumes from Conventions even, and perhaps holiday decorations
Doll furniture, props, foamboard/posters of your favorite characters, stands, bags, and books
Puppies, kittens?? Okay, perhaps not...
Other ephemera YOU would never guess we have
When, Where? - The Event will be December 9, 2018, from 10am-2pm at the Best Western Plus in Kingston, New York. (Come on, you've been here before, join us won't you) Entrance is $25.00 AND includes a continental breakfast starting at 9am. We will be allowing people into the room in groups of 25 for a defined period of time.
WE hope to see you there!
Team Tonner
Integrity Toys Luxe Life 2018 Convention - final gala and convention doll reveal
Sorry for posting this so late after the convention but I was away on business and did not have time to write. Better late than never though!
As most people know, Saturday night is the time of the final gala and the reveal of the much anticipated convention doll. The centerpiece doll was the one that first greeted the attendees though, as they entered the ballroom: Agnes Von Weiss!
Item # 91453
Affluent Demeanor
Baroness Agnes Von Weiss™ Centerpiece Doll
The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life
Gala Dinner Event Centerpiece
Edition Size: 450 Dolls
Hmmm. Not bad but no comparison to last year’s Agnes centerpiece. And her dress reminds me of an old Barbie release as well as a bubble dress of the same burgundy colour I own. Simple black shoes with ribbon ties, minimal jewellery, no bag... not that luxe for me. Slapping a crown on an outfit does not mean it automatically becomes luxu. Ask Dolce & Gabbana, they have been doing it for ages. And we saw the purple highlights in last year’s convention dolls.
The winners of the convention design competition were also announced. The Diorama Design Competition had only had one participant, so it was the sole winner for both People's Choice and Judge's Choice: Lani Billitti. In the Doll Design Challenge, the People's Choice was the talented and very creative friend Mario Paglino, while the Judge's Choice was the talented and very creative friend Sinuhe Guzman, who later told me he first saw Fashion Royalty dolls in my blog. It made me so happy that those two guys won, they are worthy winners.
People’s Choice winner doll by Mario Paglino, photo by Mario Paglino.
Judge’s choice doll by Sinuhe Guzman. Photo by Patricio Lecuona.
Then the winners of the OOAK dolls designed by the Integrity Toys design team just for the raffle room were picked and the host city of next year's convention was unveiled- Baltimore, Maryland. The theme will be “Live from Fashion Week” and it will take place from 10-12th October 2019.
Finally, special guest Jason Wu joined the hosts on stage to unveil the convention doll, which he designed himself, Elyse Jolie.
Item # 91454
Inspired Grandeur
Elyse Jolie™ Convention Doll
The 2018 Integrity Toys Convention: Luxe Life
Edition Size: 600 dolls
A bit disappointed with the convention doll. Too much colour on face and hair, too little on the outfit. She’s a hodgepodge of previous Elyse doll’s with the make up of Spring Forward Eugenia. The design competition dolls look much better than this.
Note: All dolls pictured in these photos are prototypes; final colors and textures may vary slightly. All photos, unless otherwise noted, and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2018 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.Layouts and graphics by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.