The Very Best Look

The Barbie Fashion Model Collection's "The Best Look" is out! The very last giftset to be offered to collectors is full of play options, exactly what a giftset should do. Keeping up with the year's fabulously sober color palette, "The Best Look" is a black and white extravaganza - from the perfectly suited houndstooth suit to the provocative lace bustier and petticoat. Even the fur stole melds the colors to perfection. Two pairs of gloves, two pairs of shoes, a satin purse, a silver and pearl pin and classic 3-strand pearl necklace complete the set.





"The Best Look's" Barbie doll has an impressive face. Made of Silkstone in "Peace" tone, the titian beauty has most expressive eyebrows, amazing left-looking side-glace, and superb winged eyeliner. This a face that collectors will never forget, which is why Dolldom's stylists opted to frame it with a grey shantung turban by Cheryl Scully. The Barbie doll's titian hair comes nicely styled - though not exactly as seen in her promo photos - but Dolldom felt that it did not add to the precision of the other components of the look. Perhaps, later, the model may be able to visit Pink Bubbles Doll Spa and have her hair restyled to perfection by Bobby Taylor.

As The Barbie Fashion Model Collection comes to a close, Dolldom enjoys the penultimate offering with a tinge of sadness mixed with the knowledge that the beauty created in the last 20 years will only become more enjoyable in retrospect.










"The Best Look BFMC Giftset"

Tea Time

After 20 years of being regaled by the Barbie Fashion Model Collection, designed by Robert Best for Mattel, we're getting close to the end. For the line that brought back the Barbie doll's 1959 sculpt to a rarefied world of fashion, heavy on references to haute couture, will soon become part of the doll's history.

"Best to a Tea" is the second doll being offered this year and like her sister "Best in Black", she is an enchanting presence. Dressed in a Channel-inspired suit, the black Barbie doll has vivid make-up that pops-out from under the black tulle veil of a fascinator hat with fuchsia blooms. Although the doll and fashion ensemble are designed to be a total look, this beautiful iteration of the Barbie doll is versatile and will be a favorite among collectors for redressing. Note: Dolldom's stylists added two classic BFMC cuff bracelets that are not part of the production doll.

As the line's trajectory reaches it's conclusion, it's important to point out that its evolution has maintained a sense of coherence due to Best's vision. At the same time, one must consider the effect that market forces and manufacturing challenges have had on the realization of Best's designs. What was possible in 2000 seems not to be possible in 2020. A line that was predicated on bringing back the details of the Barbie doll's heyday under the direction of Charlotte Johnson, is, 20 years later, making adaptations that divert from its original philosophy. For "Best to a Tea's" undeniable loveliness brings the use Velcro closures to the skirt, blouse and belt. Perhaps a decision made to reduce the bulk created by metal snaps, yet, one that is readily associated with other lines in lower price points. Not that Velcro closures have not been used before in the BFMC ("Boater Ensemble's" halter blouse comes to mind), but in "Best to a Tea", it feels normalized.

This said, "Best to a Tea" is an afternoon delight of sorts, more so now that we collectors know that there's only two more dolls before the Barbie Fashion Model Collection ceases production.

In this Dolldom exclusive, "Best to a Tea" and "Best in Black" gather for an afternoon of fashion talk and tea. Dolldom thanks Robert Best and Mattel for 20 years of steadfast dedication to beauty.









"Best to a Tea" Silkstone from the BFMC

We Don't Mean Rhinestones

Last July 31 to August 3, 2019, Barbie doll fans had their yearly apotheosis, one that felt particularly important, as this year, the Barbie doll turned 60-years old. It was the iconic character's diamond jubilee. 

Every year, at the Saturday night banquet, Mattel regales fans with the most special gift of an convention-exclusive Barbie doll. This year, it had been revealed, the doll would be a Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model designed by Robert Best. And Dolldom must say that Best left his best for this occasion. The doll, "Diamond Jubilee", is a groundbreaking design for it forgoes BFMC's classic mid-20th century fashion formulas and ventures into contemporary fashion, not unlike "Proudly Pink". But "Diamond Jubilee" takes if to a higher level with an attitude that feels revitalizing for this amazing line of dolls. Dolldom cannot but wonder if this look anticipates what may be a new era for the Silkstone Barbie doll. We can only hope.

"Diamond Jubilee" Barbie models a mini dress of voluptuous ruffles in off-white moiré (the same color used on the early BFMC boxes), black silk satin skirt, united by a shiny faux patent leather belt, and bold faux-suede thigh-high boots. At 60, Barbie is rocking the look cleverly complemented by a beautiful face-up boasting gold eyeliner, silver glitter eye shadow, and pale pink lips. A luscious ponytail is a nod to the original model from 1959.

Dolldom was honored to host "Diamond Jubilee" Barbie in our studios for a photographic session that yielded this exclusive portfolio. Together, dear readers, let's  celebrate Barbie on her 60th anniversary!

 
Fashion illustration by Robert Best from his Instagram feed















 Note: Dolldom's editors styled "Dimaond Jubilee" with past Barbie Fashion Model Collection jewelry designs.  As such, the pin and the bracelet in our photos were not issued with the ensemble.

Black and White: Together, Forever

The iconic look of a faux zebra skin swimsuit inspires a celebratory gesture from Robert Best for The Barbie Fashion Model Collection. "Black and White Forever" Barbie goes all out to emphasize the impact of contrast and scale - the white an black stripes are now bands in gradating widths. And what better but a bow, large and voluminous, to add an element of surprise to the back?



Barbie is as sparkling as ever with deep blue eyes, vivid red lips and a sprinkling of silver glitter on her eyelids. Her platinum hair is also streaked with raven black, gathered in an elegant chignon.













The questions is: is this a total look where doll and fashion are forever joined or can "Black and White Forever" Barbie rock other looks? We think that you already known the answer, as any teen-age fashion model worth her salt - regardless of the fact that she is 60- will jump at the opportunity to model a selection of fashions in the same evocative color scheme.

Happy 60th, Barbie doll! Here's to black and white together and forever!


A glamorous black raw silk coat and dotted tulle chapeau by Bogue's Vogues is ideal Barbie style. Add a pair of classic cat-eyes glasses and Barbie is on the go. She's vintage and she's now. Who else can meld the past and present so seamlessly? Just Barbie.


Underneath, a slender sheath in a black and white floral print with attached ruched cummerbund is seriously elegant.


Mid-century classic, reproduced by Integrity Toys for their Funny Face line, and Barbie gives Dovima a run for the money. Mother Ruth approves. Godmother Charlotte would have too.


A suit of pied-de-poule tweed - it's almost a cliché - but this time, Barbie gives Fashion Royalty's "Time and Again" duo-tone cropped jacket and skirt an unexpectedly fresh vibe.


Black and white, you say? Revisited in a cozy warm knit by HillCrestBarbies and Barbie is a delish as the eponymous cookie.

Life lesson: be simple, be elegant. When the cut is as beautiful as in this Vince Nowell asymmetrical LBD, it's easy to avoid excessive ornamentation. 

Classic cocktail: mix one part black, one part white, a good sprinkling of stars and, voilà, you get the slinky moonlit grey bias-cut "Starry Nights Mood" by Integrity Toys, made unforgettable by Barbie.


At home, relaxed, Barbie wears a comfortable silk robe by Rosina Haskell. A day of modeling done well deserves a break.

"Black and White Forever" Barbie by Robert Best - for the Barbie doll's 60th anniversary.

Pink Pride, Pink Power

As time passes, our perception of the color pink continues to evolve and connotations of a type of femininity contrived by outmoded patriarchal values disappear. As she turns 60-years old, the Barbie doll is the consummate representative of the ever controversial hue, poetically defined by the also-iconic Elsa Schiaparelli as “bright, impossible, impudent, becoming, life-giving, like all the light and the birds and the fish in the world put together.”

Designer Robert Best regales the Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model Collection with a look that would make the legendary Schiap proud and it's called "Proudly Pink". In a feat of monochromatic daring, the Barbie doll wears pink, PMS 219 - its official Pantone denomination, from head to toe. Too much pink? Absolutely no. For this is a look that epitomizes what the Barbie doll has come to signify: she is, in her unapologetic pinkness, a symbol of personal empowerment while having had to weather many a storm of criticism, ridicule, and scapegoating. With utmost pride she comes out of her dressing room exclaiming that strength comes from accepting who you are - pink, blue, green, or purple. "Proudly Pink" Barbie exhorts us to own our true colors, to be true to them, and to inspire others to do the same.



In this Dolldom exclusive, "Proudly Pink" Silkstone Barbie from the Barbie Fashion Model Collection celebrates her essential glow while demonstrating how versatile the color is when paired with black, silver, turquoise, and, of course, more pink! Be proud, be powerful, be pink!




A look for the ages - "Proudly Pink" adds another jewel to the crown of iconic Barbie doll fashion moments.


"Coquette" is all about volume - from the pouf sleeves of the blouse by Tania Lawrence to the full faille skirt by Bogue's Vogues.


"Bloomers" matches the roses from Fashionistas #92's "Retro Garden Party" and "Proudly Pink's" stretch stiletto boots.




"Night Angel" is evocative of 1980s Claude Montana. Suit by Tania Lawrence.


"Watusi" is for a night out disco dancing! In a fabulous-cause-it's-faux-fur coat from Mattel's 1996 Clueless collection, Barbie heads out to Studio 54.


Underneath, a silver mesh mini by Francesca Pigliapoco for Lotus Dolls reflects the light like the mirrored ball.


The show closes with a traditional gesture - white. But this is not a wedding dress in spite of it being Poppy Parker's "Wedding Belle's" wedding dress! Barbie edits out the veil and goes places with the polka-dotted net over satin wonder.

Like a Hot Toddy

This winter, stay warm and cozy in a HillCrestBarbies sweater dress. Expertly knitted by Henrietta Lockhart, the sweater dress goes from office to party and keeps the wearer comfortable and chic.


A delectable trio made with fine yarns and ingenious patterns.


Blues and pinks abound in a dynamic play of vertical and horizontal lines. Hair by Pink Bubbles Doll Spa.


A patchwork-look pattern imparts an evocative 1970s vibe.


A beautiful neckline accompanies the shorter hemline of this eye-catching number.

To learn more about HillCrestBarbies, 

visit Ms. Lockhart's boutique on Etsy.