Mattel Partners with charitybuzz for a very special OOAK Barbie Auction

Benefiting Project Angel Food, which takes a holistic approach to nourishing the body and spirit of men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.

The auctions have ended, but you can still visit the site to see these eight beautiful creations.  What a fitting way for Barbie to wrap up her whirlwind 50th Anniversary Year and spread some generous Holiday cheer to those truly in need.

Project Angel Food's Exclusive Barbie Online Auction

10 Days Until Christmas

Christian Louboutin Barbie

Let's get right to what collectors want to know...

• Yes, the hands are painted
• Yes, the catsuit is sewn on
• Yes, the shoes are plastic

HOWEVER...the head is fully rooted under the hood, so if you were brave enough to open the stitching on the catsuit, you could transplant her to another Model Muse body (not really necessary, as there are 3 other dolls in the line that should allow for redress opportunities).  I must caution you, her skin has a sallow/orange-y color and that may be a challenge to find an appropriate match.  Or, just do what I plan to do and use the catsuit as a base for skirts/jumpers/smocks et al.   The boots are a quality leopard fabric shaped to the leg with minimum stretch so you need to be careful when putting them on.  I also find that the production doll really does resemble the promo pics, and as I am primarily a Silkstone/Designer collector, I am quite pleased with this new modern visage for Barbie.

My only disappointment was that the stand does not have Louboutin's name on it!  Come on, Mattel, how much production would it cost to have a nice metallic or quality designer label made for the stand.  You used to do that.  Heck, one of your receptionists could have run them off in Photoshop on a quality printer.  Better yet, why not send me the template and I'll do them.  For the right fee, of course.

And now, the photos...

Contemplating the Holiday Season to Come

Vogue Australia, Scanlan & Theodore Celebrate Barbie’s 50th Anniversary

I recently picked up the Vogue Australia 50th Anniversary edition, and there on the last page was a Special Edition Barbie created by Robert Best to commemorate this milestone.

It appears Australia was also very fond of Barbie and eager to help celebrate her 50 years of branding success.  Several exhibits were staged, and these dolls I'm sure would be the envy of any American Barbie collector.

Scanlan & Theodore Celebrate Barbie’s 50th with Runway Installation

Sloane's Night with Tord Boontje

Intellectual Chelsea Girls like Sybarite Sloane enjoy spending an evening on campus listening to a design master like Tord Boontje.  The lecture was part of the exhibition Lace in Translation at Philadelphia University, which features the collaborative work of Tord Boontje, Dutch design studio Demakersvan, and Canadian artist Cal Lane.  Their respective lace interpretations celebrate Quaker Lace and Philadelphia’s critical contribution to American textile design.

For more information, please visit the exhibition website. The exhibit runs through April 2010.

Peter Jensen Previewing S2010 in Miniature

According to WWD, London designer Peter Jensen added a modern twist to showing his Spring 2010 collection.  Peter collaborated with Laurie Simmons to shrink the collection for display on paper dolls.  Now how novel is that!

Peter Jensen S2010 by Laurie Simmons