Barbie and Frank Sinatra: two American icons, one classic look.

Inspired by one of the world’s greatest and most iconic performers of all time, Sinatra Barbie® is the definition of class and sophistication as she takes center stage in Fall 2011.

Beloved not only for his melodic voice, Frank Sinatra did things “his way” with refined style and effortless grace. In a tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, Barbie® puts a spin on one of Sinatra’s most iconic looks, a custom-fitted suit as seen on many of the singer’s album covers, including “Nothing But The Best.”

Looking dapper in tweed, Barbie® wears a tailored houndstooth printed suit complete with a black tie, polished white shirt, and Frank-inspired fedora. Barbie® adds a twist of her own style to the classic look with bejeweled matching earrings and high- heeled saddle shoes. Barbie® also pays tribute to Frank Sinatra with her chic pocket square in orange, Frank’s favorite color.

Available September 2011, the Sinatra Barbie® doll will be a truly tasteful touch to any Barbie® collection and is a must-have for Barbie® and Frank Sinatra fans alike.

Available September 2011 at www.barbiecollector.com

To help celebrate the Scheme’s launch we are currently running a Silkstone Barbie giveaway competition with a gorgeous Palm Beach Swimsuit Doll up for grabs!

Click here for your chance to win a beautiful Silkstone Barbie!

Pick a Pair, Rock the Look.

The all-American staple in any wardrobe – denim- is going from ordinary to extraordinary with Barbie Basics™.  Taking classic blue jeans to new heights, the Barbie Basics™ Denim Collection includes 12 dolls, including – nine females and for the first time, three male models, which are new to the collection.  Rocking denim in an array of different cuts and colors, each of the dolls showcases a unique hair style and skin tone, and is dressed in a variety of detailed jeans that feature real pockets and metal grommets. The spring 2011 collection focuses on daytime denim looks complimented by basic tees and tanks.

Each Barbie Basics™ doll can be customized to represent every Barbie girl’s unique personal style by using the chic accessories packs to glam up each basic outfit.  Complete with stylish tops, jackets, sunglasses, purses, jewelry, and even sky-high stilettos, basic denim has never been so much fun!

“Ken is a really passionate and emotional guy and he digs that Barbie is such a formidable woman”— Michael Keaton

Disney/Pixar and Mattel Toys have unveiled an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview with heartthrob and star of new Toy Story 3 movie Ken.

Ahead of his starring turn in the highly anticipated three-quel, which opens in cinemas across the UK on 21 July 2010, Ken talks about his new role in the movie as well as what life is like for the world’s favorite bachelor.

According to Director Lee Unkrich, “The idea of putting Ken in the film just felt rife with comic potential.  Ken is a guy who is ostensibly a girl’s toy, and he’s also really nothing more than an accessory for Barbie.  He is no more important than a pair of shoes or a purse.  We figured he had to be pretty insecure about those things, and tried to tap into that as much as possible.  He’s really into clothes, being the ultimate fashion maven. He wears a different outfit in every scene in the movie.”

Barbie meets Ken; is this a Toy Story Love Story?

Michael Keaton provides the voice of Ken, a character he connected with from the start.  “He’s fantastic,” says Keaton. “I love this guy.  He’s emotional.  He’s crazy about Barbie and he’s got a lot of outfits—a lot of outfits.”

One of the true highlights of Toy Story 2 was the introduction of Barbie.  In Toy Story 3, she takes on an even greater role and meets the man of her dreams when she encounters Ken atSunnyside Daycare.  Like all great screen romances, this relationship has its share of challenges, but this one takes on some particularly fascinating twists and turns.

Mattel will release a Barbie & Ken Toy Story 3 Gift Set to commemorate the moment the world’s most famous toy couple met.  Barbie is sporting her glamorous dazzling blue all-in-one workout leotard, finished with pink leg warmers.  Meanwhile, style-conscious Ken looks dapper in a key look from several costume changes from the movie – a suave blue outfit complete with matching scarf and deck shoes.

“It’s impossible not to have fun with Ken and to take him as far as you can,” says story supervisor Jason Katz. “He’s this wonderfully insecure kind of guy.  We’ve played him as a mid-eighties California beach guy who’s very handsome but incredibly shallow and awkward.  And I think Michael Keaton has a way of playing that which is so awesome.”

The first Toy Story film was released in 1996 and a phenomenal success. Now fifteen years later, the toys are back as we see the return of some of some of the most well known toys in the world as well as some new ones.

Here is the Mattel blurb: “An icon of subtle sophistication and glamour, the Little Black Dress takes fashion to new extremes with the new Barbie Basics™ doll line. Personalize, customize and play with the 12 dolls, each representing a unique hair style, facial features, skin tone and dressed in the fashion classic, the Little Black Dress. To celebrate the beauty of accessorizing, each Barbie Basics™ doll can be personalized and customised in a way that represents every girls’ own fabulous style by using the ultra-chic accessory packs complete with scarves, purses, shoes and jewellery.”

And here is a YouTube video discussing the range