The Doll Observer » News http://dollobserver.com My fashion doll blog! Tue, 01 May 2012 21:13:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 BARBIE ANNOUNCES PLAN TO TURN THE WHITE HOUSE PINK WITH A RUN FOR THE OVAL OFFICE http://dollobserver.com/2012/04/06/barbie-announces-plan-to-turn-the-white-house-pink-with-a-run-for-the-oval-office/ http://dollobserver.com/2012/04/06/barbie-announces-plan-to-turn-the-white-house-pink-with-a-run-for-the-oval-office/#comments Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:11:28 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=2320 Barbie doll formally threw her pink hat into the presidential campaign ring by unveiling the new 2012 Barbie I Can Be…  President doll. The global icon will represent girls of all ages on her road to the “Pink House,” serving as the “B Party” candidate. Barbie will hit the [...]]]> Barbie Runs For PresidentBarbie doll formally threw her pink hat into the presidential campaign ring by unveiling the new 2012 Barbie I Can Be…  President doll. The global icon will represent girls of all ages on her road to the “Pink House,” serving as the “B Party” candidate. Barbie will hit the campaign trail with a full-scale “glam-paign” alongside her longtime political advisor – The White House Project. With a designer pink power suit and a new Tumblr blog, Barbie® stands on her own (literally) as this campaign’s sole female candidate.

As the unwavering, encouraging voice of the “B Party,” Barbie’s campaign platform calls for girls of all ages to “B inspired,” “B informed,” and “B involved.” To further deliver her message, Barbie will continue to partner with The White House Project – a national, nonpartisan women’s leadership development organization – from the presentation of the “Barbie I Can Be Award” to a young girl at the organization’s annual awards gala to a “Take Your Daughters to the Polls” movement in November.

“The Barbie brand’s career-focused line of I Can Be… dolls often shine a pink spotlight on professions that are historically underrepresented by women,” said Cathy Cline, Vice President of U.S. Marketing, Mattel Girls’ Brands. “We hope that Barbie will inspire girls to be leaders – be it in their schools, classrooms, or communities – with the President doll. We know that role play often becomes real play….and when better to plant the seed of leadership in a girl’s mind than during play time.”

A Doll That Stands on Her Own
With more than 130 careers, Barbie doll has always been both a career trailblazer and a trend-setting style icon. Now, in her fashionable pink wedge shoes, the Barbie I Can Be… President doll literally stands on her own without support or the need for a doll stand.

“We are ecstatic that for the first time Barbie will stand on her own two feet, as all powerful leaders do– and the Barbie for President doll has the perfect platform to debut this feature” said Tiffany Dufu, President, The White House Project. “This new feature goes well beyond the toy aisle with a message for girls across the world.”

]]> http://dollobserver.com/2012/04/06/barbie-announces-plan-to-turn-the-white-house-pink-with-a-run-for-the-oval-office/feed/ 1 Haute Doll Magazine Gets a Relaunch… And Guess Who’s On-board? http://dollobserver.com/2012/03/24/haute-doll-magazine-gets-a-relaunch-and-guess-whos-on-board/ http://dollobserver.com/2012/03/24/haute-doll-magazine-gets-a-relaunch-and-guess-whos-on-board/#comments Sat, 24 Mar 2012 12:17:28 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=2249 Many of you will have heard the very happy news that Haute Doll magazine, a favourite among Fashion Doll Lovers, is about to be relaunched. The magazine is now the property of Jones Publishing after the merger of Doll Reader and haute doll magazine coverMany of you will have heard the very happy news that Haute Doll magazine, a favourite among Fashion Doll Lovers, is about to be relaunched. The magazine is now the property of Jones Publishing after the merger of Doll Reader and Dolls Magazinea few months ago. The magazine will form part of the Dolls magazine subscription and will be available quarterly. The magazine will be in a squarebound presentation and will feature articles and news on Integrity’s new FR:16 line, BJD artist Connie Lowe,  JAMIEShow, Sybarites, Horsman, Tonner and Wilde Imagination. The first issue will be available in late April/early May.

I can also exclusively announce that I have been asked to feature as a regular columnist! Imagine my excitement when I got that email! I am also excited by the opportunity to spotlight our fantastic and talented DollObservers.com members via the column too! The column is set to be called ‘Doll Watch’ and my first article is already in the bag and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Look out for magazine subscriptions options to Haute Doll available via this site in the coming weeks!

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]]> http://dollobserver.com/2012/03/24/haute-doll-magazine-gets-a-relaunch-and-guess-whos-on-board/feed/ 0 Challenged to a Duel, Tonner Dolls Style! http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/29/challenged-to-a-duel-tonner-dolls-style/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/29/challenged-to-a-duel-tonner-dolls-style/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:13:52 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=2163 Tonner Dolls launched a brand new website which is sure to whet fans appetites prior to the upcoming revamp of the main Tonnerdolls.com website. And what a bundle of fun it is too, even whilst still in beta!

The crux of the site is good old fashioned voting for your favourite Tonner Doll [...]]]> Tonner Doll Duels websiteTonner Dolls launched a brand new website which is sure to whet fans appetites prior to the upcoming revamp of the main Tonnerdolls.com website. And what a bundle of fun it is too, even whilst still in beta!

The crux of the site is good old fashioned voting for your favourite Tonner Doll photo out of the two presented to you on the screen, hense the nature of the ‘duel’! However don’t worry if you can’t decide, you do have the ability to call off the fight and declare a ‘draw’. The best thing about this site is the fact that all the doll photos are submitted by Tonner Doll fans and lovers themselves.

So be sure to check it out dollduels.com

]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/29/challenged-to-a-duel-tonner-dolls-style/feed/ 0 US: Barbie is the number one Christmas import http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/18/us-barbie-is-the-number-one-christmas-import/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/18/us-barbie-is-the-number-one-christmas-import/#comments Sun, 18 Dec 2011 08:17:47 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/18/us-barbie-is-the-number-one-christmas-import/ According to Toy News Fashion doll Barbie is the US’ most imported Christmas gift, according to a survey comissioned by Bloomberg Businessweek.

An analysis of the ‘States 75 most-popular Christmas gifts found that a total of 2,598 shipments of Barbie products were received in the US throughout August and September, [...]]]> Barbie fashion dollAccording to Toy News Fashion doll Barbie is the US’ most imported Christmas gift, according to a survey comissioned by Bloomberg Businessweek.

An analysis of the ‘States 75 most-popular Christmas gifts found that a total of 2,598 shipments of Barbie products were received in the US throughout August and September, when retailers receive Christmas stock.

Barbie’s popularity continues to rise despite competition from other doll brands. Recovering from a slip in 2008, US sales of Barbie went up 4 per cent in 2009 and 14 percent in 2010.

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]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/12/18/us-barbie-is-the-number-one-christmas-import/feed/ 0 A British doll to fill the Tween Gap http://dollobserver.com/2011/11/13/a-british-doll-to-fill-the-tween-gap/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/11/13/a-british-doll-to-fill-the-tween-gap/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:48:27 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=2094 Although this is a diversion from my usual Fashion Doll related posts I think that this doll will be of interest to many of you. Especially those of you who have young children. Her name is Matilda and she is the brainchild of a British designer in response to the lack of, to her mind, educational and [...]]]> Matilda - the doll for all timeAlthough this is a diversion from my usual Fashion Doll related posts I think that this doll will be of interest to many of you. Especially those of you who have young children. Her name is Matilda and she is the brainchild of a British designer in response to the lack of, to her mind, educational and suitable dolls for her daughter.

She is very much in the same vein as the American Girl dolls and as such is a historical doll, taking her place in the court of Henry VIII with a thoughtfully designed period costume and backstory.

Toy maker Frances Cain believes the fashion and music industries are stealing little girls’ childhood forcing them to grow up too quickly. This means there are no toys for the tween age group. As an antidote, Frances Cain has created a doll specifically for eight to twelve-year-olds.

Matilda is the first in a series of tween dolls being launched by Frances’ boutique toy company Daughters Of History. Themed to Tudor times, she comes complete with a range of period clothing and accessories. The aim being to allow girls to play intelligently and femininely without feeling pressured to be skinny and fashion conscious.

Frances takes up the story:

“It was impossible to find a doll for my daughter when she reached the age of ten so I decided to create one. Matilda has a young teenage figure to deliberately challenge aspirational fashion dolls like Bratz and Barbie.

The doll is not just about play. As well as introducing history to young girls, Matilda helps children to get to grips with some real life issues such as coping with loss”.

Standing 16 inches high, Matilda is beautifully crafted out of high-quality vinyl. Whilst looking like a porcelain doll, she has been made with play in mind and has fully-jointed arms and legs. Her extra-long hair will withstand endless brushing and styling.

Frances Cain has also extended the range with other Matilda products. As well as costumes, there’s also a keepsake book brimming with unique ideas such as a Tudor sleepover or making a pre-execution wish list. Matilda’s Secret is the accompanying novel which tells the story of her role as lady-in-waiting to Katherine Howard at the court of Henry VIIIth.

Matilda comes in her own sturdy carry case and costs £89.99 from www.agirlforalltime.com

]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/11/13/a-british-doll-to-fill-the-tween-gap/feed/ 0 Doll Reader Announces its 2011 DOTY Public’s Choice Winners http://dollobserver.com/2011/08/06/doll-reader-announces-its-2011-doty-publics-choice-winners/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/08/06/doll-reader-announces-its-2011-doty-publics-choice-winners/#comments Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:38:15 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=1986

Following the January announcement of the 2011 Doll of the Year® (DOTY®) Industry’s Choice® awards winners at IDEX Premiere in Orlando, Fla., 83 dolls went on to compete for the esteemed DOTY®Public’s Choice® awards. Over the last few months, readers and members of the collecting public were asked to select their favorite dolls from [...]]]>

Following the January announcement of the 2011 Doll of the Year® (DOTY®) Industry’s Choice® awards winners at IDEX Premiere in Orlando, Fla., 83 dolls went on to compete for the esteemed DOTY®Public’s Choice® awards. Over the last few months, readers and members of the collecting public were asked to select their favorite dolls from this pool of Industry’s Choice® winners. And so, DollReader proudly presents the 2011 Doll of the Year® Public’s Choice® award winners.

Check out pictures of all this year’s award winners in the August/September issue of Doll Reader magazine, and stay tuned for the October issue where interview each award winner about their prize-winning doll and what’s next for them.

Children’s Play Doll
Black Velvet – Adora, Charisma Brands

Collectible Baby Doll
Amy – Doris Stannat, MasterPiece Dolls

Collectible Fashion Doll
Ava Gardner Hearts Ablaze - Tonner Doll Company

Collectible Ball-Jointed Doll
Alice - Ashton-Drake Galleries

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, Less than $175
Little Red Riding Hood – Joanne Flitton, Heartstring Dolls

Collectible Vinyl/Plastic Doll, More than $175
Jethe - Heidi Plusczok

Collectible Porcelain Doll
Journey – Karen Alderson, Charisma Brands

Collectible Miniature Doll, 8 Inches or Less
Tiny Bundle - Camille Allen

Collectible Manufacturer’s Artist Doll, Less than $250
Flame Blue Vanessa Perrin Dressed Doll – Jason Wu, Integrity Toys

Collectible Manufacturer’s Artist Doll, More than $250
Victoria Rose – Luciana Miglioranzi, Babies N Bubbles

Artist Ball-Jointed Doll
Mia – Lorella Falconi, Lorella Falconi Dolls

Artist Baby Doll
Sweet AlyMarie – Lori Ivanovic, Silver Spoon Nursery

Artist Miniature Doll
Katherine – Anna Hardman, Anna Hardman Dolls

Artist Doll, Less than $1,250
Apolonia - Zawieruszynski Originals

Artist Doll, More than $1,250 + BEST IN SHOW!
Little Red Riding Hood - Hildegard Gunzel

One-Of-A-Kind Doll, Less than $1,250
Karley - Annette Hermann Originals

One-Of-A-Kind Doll, More than $1,250
Little Apache - Lynn Cartwright

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]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/08/06/doll-reader-announces-its-2011-doty-publics-choice-winners/feed/ 0 Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Integrity http://dollobserver.com/2011/07/23/breakfast-at-tiffanys-with-integrity/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/07/23/breakfast-at-tiffanys-with-integrity/#comments Sat, 23 Jul 2011 21:57:36 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=1970 This morning at Integrity Toys W Club breakfast time webinar there was a grand unveiling of a brand new line of dolls tied to the movie classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Suddenly the breakfast time event made sense (well breakfast for those of you [...]]]>
Cropped screenshot of Audrey Hepburn from the ...

Image via Wikipedia

This morning at Integrity Toys W Club breakfast time webinar there was a grand unveiling of a brand new line of dolls tied to the movie classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Suddenly the breakfast time event made sense (well breakfast for those of you in the east of the planet!).

Now BAT happen to be one of my favourite films, not least because of the devastating beauty and iconic performance by its leading lady, Audrey Hepburn in her role as the kooky, gal about town, Holly Golightly. The doll boasts a brand new sculpt and for the first time feet made just for kitten heels à la Miss Hepburn in the original movie.

The webinar gave a fascinating insight into the way the collection was researched and put together and I for one am looking forward to its release.  The dolls also boast a miriad of authentic accessories which were painfully researched and manufactured including the mask Hepburn wore for the ‘five and dime’ scene. The webinar also revealed that dress for the doll representing this scene was made as a result of a candid on set photo as it is hardly seen in the real movie. Now that’s dedication to authenticity!

]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/07/23/breakfast-at-tiffanys-with-integrity/feed/ 0 My Muse Magazine goes from strength to strength http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/25/my-muse-magazine-goes-from-strength-to-strength/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/25/my-muse-magazine-goes-from-strength-to-strength/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:19:30 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=1838 My Muse issue number 2 dropped into my inbox a couple of days ago and I must say I have enjoyed it immensely. Whilst not all dolls featured would be my chosen type, the photography is so invention and stunningly undertaken that I simply don’t mind! This magazine really is a feast for the eyes [...]]]> My Muse issue number 2 dropped into my inbox a couple of days ago and I must say I have enjoyed it immensely. Whilst not all dolls featured would be my chosen type, the photography is so invention and stunningly undertaken that I simply don’t mind! This magazine really is a feast for the eyes and is rather inspirational in its representation of dolls as works of art.

There’s also a rather fun dress making and photography competition in this month’s issue!

My Muse Website

My Muse Facebook Page

]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/25/my-muse-magazine-goes-from-strength-to-strength/feed/ 0 Bratz are back! http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/23/bratz-are-back/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/23/bratz-are-back/#comments Thu, 23 Jun 2011 21:58:38 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=1832

 Well it’s official. The girls with the fashion for passion and a knack for getting the world’s mothers all hot under the collar are set to be back with avengance. Having come through the ravages of various legal battles with Barbie‘s maker mattel Bratz [...]]]> Those wholesome (not) gals with the passion for fashion are back!

 Well it’s official. The girls with the fashion for passion and a knack for getting the world’s mothers all hot under the collar are set to be back with avengance. Having come through the ravages of various legal battles with Barbie‘s maker mattel Bratz dolls are cleared for sale once again.

Whether, with the current backlash against the sexualization of young girls, they will be quite as successful this time around remains to be seen…

Bratz are back! Barbie better watch out.

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]]> http://dollobserver.com/2011/06/23/bratz-are-back/feed/ 0 A new fashion doll mag on the block http://dollobserver.com/2011/05/07/a-new-fashion-doll-mag-on-the-block/ http://dollobserver.com/2011/05/07/a-new-fashion-doll-mag-on-the-block/#comments Sat, 07 May 2011 18:29:02 +0000 Simon Farnworth http://dollobserver.com/?p=1773 With the demise of Haute Doll some time ago it is with great delight that I got to have a look at the latest fashion doll magazine in town. From what I have seen things look very promising!

From the Sybarite cover star to the high fashion style shots we had come to know and [...]]]> With the demise of Haute Doll some time ago it is with great delight that I got to have a look at the latest fashion doll magazine in town. From what I have seen things look very promising!

From the Sybarite cover star to the high fashion style shots we had come to know and love from HD this definitely helps fill the hole it left. I do therefore hope this magazine will be here to stay. Be sure to check it out and subscribe by print, digital and soon to be released ipad/iphone versions.

http://www.mymusemag.com

My Muse magazine

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