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.
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.
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.
2017's Barbie Fashion Model Collection heads back to the atelier. At the very least, this year's line is serving dollectors a well-thought out menu of delights. Starting with the beautiful brunette version of "Classic Black Dress" and now moving into a timeless fashion staple: the tweed suit. "Black and White Tweed Suit Barbie" forecasts an elegantly beautiful spring with its dose of high glam.
The double-breasted jacket and skirt are accompanied by a coquettish and perfectly scaled polka dot bow.
Accessories abound: a white straw hat, golden pearl cabochon earrings, black gloves, black leatherette purse with golden lock charm, and a new shoe design adorned with gold painted chain.
Barbie is a redhead in this iteration. A simple pulled back hair style ends in a short ponytail gathered neatly by a matching hair net. Barbie's make-up is lush: creamy coral lips and joyful Caribbean cyan eyeshadow complement her brown eyes.
To Dolldom, "Black and White Tweed" Barbie is a total look doll, not unlike its predecessor "Walking Suit" Barbie. But undoubtedly, dollectors will redress and restyle this eye catching, fully articulated beauty.
Dolldom welcomes The Italian Doll Convention's
BFMC articulated Silkstone Barbie doll! Beautiful Barbie drove into
town in her Austin Healey to pose by The Golden Gate Bridge on her way
to San Francisco's Northbeach District. Miss Roberts, always sensational
in black, modeled the fourth version of this year's Little Black Dress,
designed by Robert Best. Miss Roberts promised Dolldom to cross the
bridge for an exclusive session in Dolldom's studios but only after she
had enjoyed a steaming Cappuccino at one of the Italian neighborhood's
cafés.
Tartan and checks! For long, these have been fashion staples most often seen in men's suiting and shirting. Today, checks are part of a woman's repertoire.
The Barbie doll (in her 2016 "Classic Black Dress" Fashion Model Collection iteration) illustrates how to make checks work all day - from a full day of reporting to a cocktail party fundraiser. Ukranian designer Olgaomi created two perfect dresses that evoke the Barbie doll's iconic wardrobe using bright interpretations of the traditional prints: one a full circle classic, the other a seductive bubble skirted halter sensation. With her coquettish ponytail and retro-inspired eyeliner, Barbie is timelessly fashionable.
For more on Olgaomi's designs for Barbie, Poppy Parker, FR, and other dolls, visit her boutique.
The Easter Bunny is one of childhood's constant threats. As evidenced in this series of wonderful vintage photos provided by Dolldom favorite Dave Duffy, there's nothing like a fake bunny to create a lasting impression.
But there are ther ways to impress one's little ones this time of year. Instead of the traditional bunny, Dolldom proposes a dotting aunt bearing an over-the-top basket full of sugar laden, cavity forming Easter Sunday goodness. In this exclusive portfolio, BFMC Luncheon Ensemble Barbie doll portrays an ever-so-fabulous-Auntie-Mame-type who drops in to define Easter chic.
Robert Best's tribute to the ladies who lunch wears an English rose garden chintz puff-sleeve dress belted at the waist with tiny bows at each shoulder.
The coordinating swing coat adds as much drama as the solid old-rose pink turban.
Her lush garden necklace and earrings are by Joy Jarred. Barbie's bar by Darren Cole for Retros. Her Easter basket was a gift given to Dolldom by Deborah Lilliard of Spicyfyre Creations.
A gown connotes spectacle; it's woman at her most traditionally beautiful. Yet the gown limits its wearer to those functions that even at the end of 2012 speak of preconceived notions of what woman is meant to be, do, and look like. The suit defies most of these mandates and allows woman to join the world, make decisions, and play the game. Taking ownership of what is to this day quintessential power attire has provided women a way of taking charge of their own lives while maintaining their allure and sex appeal. The model above wears Jacques Fath’s town suit, in a photo by Willy Maywald at Le Musée d’Art Moderne, Paris, 1951.
The Barbie doll continues to have a love affair with the suit. Images of Barbie wearing the iconic Commuter Set, the all work and no play Busy Gal or the Doris Day-looking Career Girl form part of pop culture and prove that since her inception, Barbie Millicent Roberts was meant to integrate into the world at large. In these suits, Ruth Handler's teen-age fashion model transformed into a cosmopolitan woman who could rule the boardroom as well as the catwalk.
Christian Dior’s elegant town suit, in a photo by Willy Maywald, Paris, 1950
Dolldom takes the time to look back at one of 2012's very best dolls: Barbie Fashion Model Collection Walking Suit. From the slightly over-sized houndstooth fitted to impress to the dramatic 1950s eye make-up, this dressed doll designed by Robert Best proved that Mattel can be indeed swell.
Dovima wearing cloche hat by Balenciaga ( in a photo by Avedon at the Cafè des Deux Magots in Paris, August 1955), serves as inspiration for Barbie's dramatic eye make-up.
Dior's Cruise 2010 collection is pure 1950's glamour. And so Barbie.
In this exquisite video produced by Mattel, Robert Best takes us on a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Walking Suit Barbie. Here's to more timeless style, courtesy of the Barbie Fashion Model Collection.
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Copyright
All of my images are copyrighted Ernesto Padró-Campos.
Please do not use my images without my permission.
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