Barbie enters the Star Wars universe!

It was expected for quite some time, there were even preorders from dealers available, but we had not seen any photos of the Barbie Star Wars dolls. But now they have arrived, with the doll’s already available to preorder at the official Barbie website and Amazon. They were inspired by original concept art from Star Wars: A New Hope. Robert Best, the designer of the three doll Star Wars™ X Barbie® Collection puts a high-fashion twist on the iconic characters. The official Barbie blog had an exclusive interview with Robert Best about his love for Star Wars, design challenges, and his experience in bringing this new collection to life.

What was particularly exciting or unique about this collaboration for you?

The unique aspects of this come from the collaboration of two unique icons that truly stand alone. Barbie and Star Wars are cultural phenomena like no others and so it’s exciting to bring these two worlds together. I also think it might be an unexpected collaboration and I love that.

The character of R2-D2 is instantly recognizable. What are some of the more subtle ways you integrated elements of the droid's design into the doll’s fashion?

Barbie doll’s hair and make-up firstly are a fun, subtle nod to the signature shapes and colors that fans of R2-D2 will recognize. Her belt is a very specific R2-D2 element that immediately stands out. The silver lining of the puffer vest is also a nice detail.

With the Leia-inspired doll, how did you approach the task of designing a look that’s fresh, yet honors the original, since the movie costume and hairstyle are so indelibly iconic?

With the look inspired by Princess Leia, I knew that keeping the signature elements would be important and the challenge was making them different enough where it didn’t feel like a costume or a strict recreation. I also wanted to make sure Leia's confidence shined through. I took the hairstyle (that might be one of the most recognizable of all time) and added braids and volume as well as lowering the placement. For the gown I really wanted to amp up the glamour but still keep it relatively clean & simple. We created a stunning white gown with dramatic cape-like sleeves, highlighted with the silver corset belt, necklace and cuffs adding a cool touch of shine and texture.

Darth Vader’s movie costume is actually a suit of life-supporting armor and cybernetics. How did that fact change, enhance, and/or limit your approach to the doll’s couture design?

While these details are interesting and relevant to the characters in the narrative related to the films, when you're creating a look “inspired by,” the purpose is to capture the essence of the character and include notable details. Then, it becomes more about what the costume and its narrative purpose represents emotionally, and finding a way to convey that through fashion.

What do you think fans of Star Wars and Barbie will be most excited about?

As a fan of both myself, my hope is that fans will share the excitement and joy that I had when creating these dolls from this unique and amazing collaboration. For me personally, this was definitely a dream collaboration and I hope that comes through to the fans.

Below you can see each doll with the details from the Barbie website plus the official description. The $100.00 price for each is a bit steep, but not unusual for collector dolls with this kind of packaging - the boxes look amazing. For this price level though, they should have had articulation (just imagine the posing!) and some of the accessories could ave been made in better material. They will be available on the 18th of November. More comments on each doll below.

Star Wars™ R2D2 x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER 
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

SKU #: GHT79

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. A resourceful astromech droid, skilled starship mechanic and fighter pilot’s assistant, R2-D2 showed great bravery in rescuing his masters and their friends from many perils. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll captures the lovable droid’s look in a geometric ensemble with a dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights. A vibrant blue ponytail and “radar eye” detail complete the look. Star Wars™ R2-D2 x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Included with doll: Jacket, gloves, Top, Skirt, tights

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: Dome skirt, bomber jacket and thigh-high boots over silvery tights

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: BCP92

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

She’s the hip, young one of the trio, fittingly for the character she is inspired from. The use of the elements of R2D2’s construction is imaginative and creative, even with her make up and hair. The bag is a hint for the other droid, C3PO; smart, but I would have loved to see a doll inspired by that one. Maybe later on - imagine another trio with dolls inspired by C3PO, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. I also love the box design. It immediately brings the film sets to mind and can be displayed open or closed.

Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER 
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

SKU #: GHT80

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Once a heroic Jedi Knight, Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force, became a Sith Lord, and led the Empire’s eradication of the Jedi Order. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Darth Vader’s Sith armor silhouette in a head-to-toe shiny-black ensemble. Metallic details at her collar and waist, dark glasses and an emblematic black cape finish the look. Star Wars™ Darth Vader x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Fashion: Shiny-black peplum top, panelled pencil skirt and knee-high boots

• Fashion Sewn On?: Yes

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Body Type: Model Muse (Straight arms)

• Facial sculpt: N6599

• Included with doll: Glasses, Choker, Holster, Corset, boots, clutch, Doll Stand

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

They have to have a female Vader in the new films ASAP! This is incredible: the styling and fashion are gorgeous and fit the character inspiration perfectly. My only peeve is with her sunglasses: they should have resembled the iconic Vader face mask a bit more. The helmet hair help a lot though. Superb. Anna Wintour has found a match!

Princess Leia Star Wars x Barbie® Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$100.00

PRE-ORDER
AVAILABLE TO SHIP ON NOVEMBER 18, 2019

The Star Wars™ x Barbie® collaboration is an homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. This eponymous collection, inspired by the film’s original concept art, re-imagines iconic characters through a distinctive Barbie™ high-fashion filter. Princess Leia Organa was one of the Rebel Alliance’s greatest leaders, fearless on the battlefield and dedicated to ending the tyranny of the Empire. This collectible Star Wars™ x Barbie® doll captures Princess Leia’s iconic look in an elegant white gown with dramatic, floor-length sleeves. Details include a silvery peplum belt, cuff jewelry and an up-do inspired by her signature bun hairstyle. Star Wars™ Princess Leia x Barbie® doll makes a great gift for Star Wars™ and Barbie® fans. Includes a Star Wars™ doll stand and Certificate of Authenticity. Colors and decorations may vary.

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Robert Best

• Release Date: 8/13/2019

• Included with doll: Necklace, cuffs, belt, shoes, clutch, doll stand

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: White gown with silver peplum belt

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Model Muse (Double bent arms)

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: DYX39 Collector Size Millie (Closed Mouth)

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 18" x 6" x 11"

What a beautiful tribute to Carrie Fisher and Leia Organa. I love how it references the original costume and styling from the first film, while transforming it into a high fashion look. If only the boots were not moulded plastic.

© & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. All information, interview and photos courtesy of Mattel.

Six young fashion designers dress Barbie for her 60th anniversary- British Vogue in collaboration with Mattel

Celebrating  Barbie’s 60th anniversary, British Vogue invited six leading young designers to dress the icon in their signature style. Here are the photographs of the designers and their models, read the full story here.

Matty Bovan

A wealth of artisanal techniques have been incorporated into the costume for his intricately constructed Barbie: hand-padded and sewn into her dress with golden Japanese yarn, she is the miniature embodiment of his magpie eclecticism. “It’s kind of like Barbie couture,” Bovan reflects. “I wanted her to have the same energy that my runway clothes have... She’s epic.”

Mowalola

Her Barbie is dressed in a miniature evolution of Mowalola’s spring/summer 2020 collection, with backcombed hair by Virginie P Moreira and make-up created by Daniel Sallstrom (using a miniature paintbrush), “she is a Mowalola superhero,” Ogunlesi grins. “She’s strong and captivating and ready to have a really good time. I want to be wherever she’s going.”

Richard Malone

“Barbie is a businesswoman – and a lot of the women I work with are too, but they don’t dress like men in suits; fashion is a part of their identity. I wanted to show that Barbie could wear a runway look but still live her everyday life and remain the boss that she truly is.”

Art School

Eden Loweth & Tom Barratt’s “non-binary Barbie” offers a perfect example of their take on figure-skimming glamour. “Art School is about making clothes that are really tolerant, that will stand with someone throughout their life, and as they evolve as in their own identity.”

Charles Jeffrey Loverboy

His Barbie (“Let’s call her ‘Wee Hen’,” he decrees in a Glaswegian drawl) exemplifies that spirit: dressed in a replica of the closing look from his spring/summer 2018 collection, which drew upon the history of cross-dressing through the ages, she is, in his words, “wearing the most fabulous piece ever.” “It took a whole week – but just looks like the actual dress!” he exclaims. “I’m really proud of her.”

Supriya Lele

Growing up besotted by Barbie (“I was an only child, so I had about 40”), Lele’s first venture into design was creating custom wardrobes for her – now things have come full circle, as she precisely scaled the measurements of one of her autumn/winter 2019 looks to suit Barbie’s size. In fact, so perfectly is her neon outfit reconfigured that even the pockets are fully operational. “I felt like a child again,” she grins. “But now I have an incredible pattern-cutter to help.”

Photography Credits:
Photographer: Stas Komarovski. Stylist: Poppy Kain. Art Direction: Dom Kelly. Hair: Yumi Nakada-Dingle. Make-Up: Thomasin Waite. Nails: Lauren Michelle Pires. Set Design:Andrew Clarkson. Production: Verity Cousins.

Photos and text courtesy of British Vogue and Mattel.

Marvel and Mattel unveil amazing X-Men ladies in SDCC: Storm, Dark Phoenix and Mystique

It is not uncommon for Marvel and other big companies to unveil new superhero dolls in SDCC - in fact it’s a given, even when they are not comic-con exclusives. So yesterday, during the event’s preview day, the three X-Men ladies everyone had been waiting for were unveiled. They celebrate Marvel’s 80-year anniversary.

From Mattel designer Bill Greening’s instagram - the SDCC stand of the Marvel Barbies

The three dolls use the same body as the Wonder Woman collector doll and will be available from today to pre-order exclusively from Gamestop.com and Barbie Signature. The release date is October and they will then be available in shops as well. Retail price $54.99. We know dealers have been able to pre-order them so contact your favourite dealer for details.

STORM: Born Ororo Munroe, Storm is one of the most powerful mutants on Earth. As a member of the X-Men team, she confounds enemies with her ability to manipulate weather and the atmosphere. Storm Barbie® doll is as electrifying as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Storm’s iconic look in a shiny-black bodysuit, cape and thigh-high boots, all with metallic-gold trim. Gauntlets, a headdress and her signature gemstone brooch finish the fierce look.

The dolls are designed with their original comic book looks, no relation to their movie counterparts. I love how Storm looks here, although the lack of heels on her boots is weird for these feet. I know Storm hovers over the ground instead of walking on it when she’s on super hero mode but this does not work perfectly for a doll. Other than that, she’s perfection. It looks like she is using the Selma sculpt.

MYSTIQUE: This Super Villain is a mutant born with the ability to shapeshift. She deceives her enemies by mimicking the appearance and voice of any person. Mystique Barbie® doll is as beguiling as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures the Super Villain’s iconic look in a white dress with a double slit and belt of skulls. Details include white gloves, boots, and the signature skull detail adorning her forehead.

Great Mystique doll - I hope the hair will be perfect like this IRL. Love the scull accessories. She has the Louboutin sculpt.

DARK PHOENIX: Also known as Jean Grey-Summers, Dark Phoenix is an Omega-level mutant with telepathic and telekinetic powers. This beloved character, who has faced numerous deaths and rebirths, wrestles with her personal demons. Dark Phoenix Barbie® doll is as fierce as the character she emulates. This collectible Barbie® doll captures Dark Phoenix’s iconic look in a red bodysuit with shimmering gold details, including the gold phoenix graphic, thigh-high boots, gloves and a sash.

Beautiful Jean grey in her Dark Phoenix era, using the Mermaid sculpt. Again no heel boots, probably because she was not walking but flying all the time.

A new Poppy Parker unveiled on David Buttry’s birthday! Gardens Of Versailles exclusive convention 2019 doll

This year is the tenth anniversary of Poppy Parker and all releases of her in 2019 are, by default, considered just that bit more special. So what better date than the birthday of Poppy’s designer, the über-talented David Buttry, to unveil the "Gardens Of Versailles" Poppy Parker™ Convention upgrade doll. What this means for W Club members is that, whether they are able to attend the FW19 convention or not, they get exclusive access to a chance to pre-order and obtain this convention exclusive upgrade doll. There is no set edition size, as the final production quantity will be determined by the total amount of pre-orders received by the deadline.

Item # PP155

Gardens of Versailles

Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll

2019 Convention Exclusive Upgrade

Non-attending members-Only Price: $150.00 + s & h

Approximate Delivery Date: October 2019

Edition Size: TBD

Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Body Type: Poppy Parker

Foot Sculpt: High Heeled

Skin Tone: Sunkissed

Hair Color: Black

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No

Included:

• 12" fully articulated doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes;

• Full length custom floral printed taffeta gown with halter neckline and black satin sash;

• Black satin clutch;

• 2 pairs of earrings; large “golden” hoops and floral burst drop earrings with faux pink "stone" details;

• Two "golden" bangle bracelets, 1 "multi-stone" cuff bracelet;

• A large pink "stone" ring;

• Black satin ankle strap heels;

• Alternate pair of hands with long nails;

• Stand;

• Certificate of authenticity;

On the 28th of November 1973, a fashion show unlike any other before or after it, was held at the Palace of Versailles near Paris, supporting a charity for the palace restoration. Five French couturiers (Yves Saint-Laurent, Givenchy, Dior, Ungaro and Cardin) and five American fashion designers (Oscar De La Renta, Anne Klein, Bill Blass, Halston and Steven Burrows) were showing together for the very first time. A who is who of celebrities were attending. The event has a historical place in both French and American fashion, as it greatly influenced both industries for the next decade. There is an excellent book about it, The Battle of Versailles: the night American fashion stumbled into the spotlight and made history, by Pulitzer Prize winner, author and journalist Robin Givhan, plus two documentaries, Versailles ‘73: American Runway Revolution by Deborah Riley Draper, plus Battle at Versailles, by Fritz Mitchell. You can read more about it in this interview of Robin Givhan here and an excerpt here. Also, Ava DuVernay is slated to co-write and direct a film for HBO based on the aforementioned book.

Stephen Burrows dresses

Why all this history lesson? Because this is the story frame of this particular Poppy doll, according to the story details Integrity Toys released. She’s supposedly the most famous model walking the runway at this event. It’s early seventies, so she’s at the end of her career. The dress does not look like the ones you can see if you google photos of the event. Most of the outfits shown were either monochromatic (lots of beige for the opening and black for the finale), with Stephen Burrows rainbow coloured dresses in jersey standing out.

Stephen Burrows dresses

The silhouette and print of the dress are very true to the seventies, looking like something either De La Renta or Bill Blass would design. But there was none like that in the show. The story accompanying the doll mentions a Bartholomew Barrows as the designer Poppy is wearing, clearly referencing Stephen Burrows. The real Burrows mostly did colour blocking designs, using a lot of jersey cut asymmetrically or in geometric shapes, using a lot of “lettuce” curly edged hems. People complaining her dress looks too mature should remember that in 1973 Poppy is mature herself, not a fresh faced ingénue.

From the March 2015 issue of W magazine, article about Robin Givhan’s book.

Oscar De La Renta early seventies print dress

Bill Blass early seventies dresses

Halston dress from Spring 1974

Anjelica Huston with David Bailey in Corsica, 1973

My major objection with the dress is the sash. Big, flowing dresses in the early seventies had either a thin belt shaping their waist, in leather or fabric, or a draped narrow basque-like design, with dangling ends on the side, made of the same fabric as the dress. The wide black sash is more emblematic of the eighties. The deep V neckline to the waist is very typical of the era.

The doll is beautiful, with her Sunkissed skin tone (first time for Poppy) and curly hair in a style clearly reminiscent of the famous seventies model Pat Cleveland.

Pat Cleveland by Irvin Penn, Vogue US, March 1971

The accessories are nice, although I think only one of the bracelets is original. The straps on the shoes will be hell to fasten. Love that she has two pairs of earrings to choose from.

The price tag is higher than usual for a non-giftset Poppy, but remember that this is the slightly higher price Integrity Toys charges on convention dolls for non attendees. I’m definitely getting her, how about you?

The dress has pockets!

Final doll will be unveiled closer to convention time. Final fabrics, colors and textures to be announced. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2019 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.

David Bowie’s Space Oddity was released 50 years ago today and there is a Barbie inspired by him.

The seminal David Bowie song “Space Oddity”, was released as a 7-inch single on 11 July 1969. The opening track of his namesake 2nd studio album, it became one of his signature songs. And curiously enough, Mattel has released a Barbie inspired by the amazing artist.

The doll will be produced in a limited edition, as she is a Gold Label™️ doll. She’s dressed in one of his iconic Ziggy Stardust outfits, the metallic “space” suit with red and blue stripes, winged shoulders and red platform boots, as pictured in this legendary photo by Masayoshi Sukita from 1973. The suit was designed by his then costume designer Freddie Burretti (21 years old then and David’s boyfriend too!) alongside Kansai Yamamoto. The boots were designed and made by Kansai Yamamoto, bought by David and Angie from Boston 151, the shop in London’s Fulham Road that represented the designer in the UK. The boots would be worn again by Bowie, this time with jeans, in his nineties homecoming tour.

The make up was by Pierre LaRoche, Bowie’s personal make-up artist. He designed the sunburst circle on the singer’s forehead (and later the lightning bolt). Which brings us to what I think is a missed opportunity here: I would have preferred for the Bowie tribute doll to be more androgynous, as befits the great artist, and also have the lightning bolt make up, plus more spiky hair. The doll looks nice and I will probably get her, but she’s too slick and proper for a representation of the artist in that era. Just see what it might have been in this OOAK doll made by talented Russian duo AFD Group Dolls.

Here is the information from Mattel:

Barbie® David Bowie Doll

Ages: Adult Collector

$50.00

PRODUCT FEATURES:

Introducing Barbie® as David Bowie. In a definitive celebration of two pop culture icons, Barbie® honors the ultimate pop chameleon, English singer, songwriter and actor, David Bowie, whose dramatic musical transformations continue to influence and inspire. With a career spanning over five decades, David Bowie was at the vanguard of contemporary culture as a musician, artist, and icon. He was, and remains to be, a unique presence in contemporary culture. Dressed as Bowie’s fantastic sci-fi alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, in the iconic metallic ‘space suit,’ this collectible Barbie® doll honors the cultural legacy of the musical genius who redefined rock and roll. Subject to availability. Colors and decorations may vary. 

• Label: Gold Label®

• Designer: Linda Kyaw

• Release Date: 7/11/2019

• Included with doll: Blouse, pant, boots, doll stand

• Customization: Painted fingernails, painted art on forehead

• Eyelashes: Painted

• Fashion: Metallic suit and platform boots

• Fashion Sewn On?: No

• Body Type: Articulated-Original

• Doll Stand: Yes

• Facial sculpt: Star

• Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 13" x 3" x 8"

• SKU #: FXD84