The Doll Observer
The latest legal wrangle between MGA, makers of Bratz, and the ever litigious Mattel has thrown up a surprise twist. This time round Barbie has come out as the loser and owes the Bratz gals a payout of nearly 90 million dollars!
The ongoing fight between the two companies over exactly who owns the copyright of the Bratz doll line has rolled on for several years with the previous court room ruling in 2008 ruling in favour of Mattel. Not so this time but then barbie does have her 120 plus careers to fall back on in order to come up with the cash.
Failing that she could always sell a dream house or two!
Related Articles
- Barbie vs. Bratz: It’s A Doll-Eat-Doll World (time.com)
- Bratz dolls case resolved with $88.4m payout by Mattel (guardian.co.uk)
The latest Sybarite V3 from Superdoll has been released as a Marlbe exclusive. Her name is TOXICA and she is the first in their Hells Belles collection of V3 dolls. According Paris Doll Festival sources there will be 8 dolls in the series in all, released between now and September. We can also look forward to basic dolls as well as dressed. TOXICA is an LE of 100 and retails for $729.99.
Related Articles
- Sybarite Generation 3:1 (dollobserver.com)
On March 11 we see the 50th Birthday of our favourite male arm candy, the one and only Mr Ken Carson. Of late he has really come into his own with a scene stealing role in Toy Story 3 and his very public mission to win back the love of his life, Barbie.
Way to go Ken and a very happy birthday to ya!
Related Articles
- Fun Ken facts (dollobserver.com)
- A 50 Year Romance: Barbie + Ken (dollobserver.com)
Several weeks ago I was scanning the online Integrity Toys Store and came across, amongst other things, the Gene Marshall Calendar Shot doll on sale at a very reasonable price. Now I have had my eye on this doll for some time (well she was originally released in 2007!) but have never got round to an actual purchase… until now. So with great excitement I added her to my shopping basket and sat back awaiting her arrival. Which, coming all the way to the UK at anything near a reasonable price from the USA, is a fair amount of time!
After a couple of weeks the first surprise was a little note in the post from Parcel Force informing me of ‘custom charges’ pus an £8 fee for the pleasure of ‘handling’ all this on my humble behalf! Now I have bought a fair few things from the US both via private individuals and companies and never have I had to pay charges before. Hmm perhaps it is something to do with our failing economy and every government agency grabbing money were it can? Even from poor unsuspecting doll lovers!
Well after getting over the shock of yet paying out more money my parcel finally arrived a couple of days later. Amongst the items were the Corkscrew Ally Diorama (now at a very reasonable price) and Jasper, my first Dynamite Girl (another snip at $20!). However when I got to the final item, my precious Gene, the box seemed a little… well… a little light. The tape on the outer shipper had also been tampered with and when I dove into the doll box proper… dun dun dah … Gene was missing! Nada, gone, nowhere at all to be seen! When I say missing, actually her shoes were there, her bathing suit was there, her towel was there, even her hairnet and paperwork were there. Just NO Gene Marshall! Poor Gene had been stripped naked and stolen away.
The packaging for the entire consignment was intact when I took possession so I couldn’t even blame this outrage on the evil border control or some disgruntled Parcel Force guy. With that in mind I emailed Integrity right away and they got back to me right away too and couldn’t have been nicer. A new doll was promised and to be sent as a gift in order keep the border guys off the scent. Honestly I cannot praise their customer service enough.
So today was the day I finally got my hands on Gene Marshall Calendar Shot!
P.S. I still had to pay more custom charges even though she was sent as a gift. Darn those border guys!
During a Toy Fair Online Unveiling Event webinar exclusively for members of Integrity Toys’ W Club, designers and creators at the company unveiled the upcoming dolls for 2011. Lines due for an update included Dynatmite Girls, Fashion Royalty, FR2, FR: Monogram, Nu: Face and Poppy Parker. The sheer number and variety on show was rather overwhelming to say the least. Here is a small slice of what we have to look forward to:
The Dynamite Girls are hitting the beaches on the upper east coast this summer for a much needed vacation from the hustle and bustle of the fashion world in New York. Joining Jett, Sooki and Aria is a new guy in town. His name is Kyu and he’s a Korean Pop singer. He’s in New York for a photo shoot that the girls are styling, but he may be sticking around a bit longer now.
The Dynamite Girls see a several male characters introduced to the line included this rather handsome chap Kyu.
Above is the Dynamite Girls Plastic inevitable Collection. This new collection is inspired by New York’s bustling art and counter-culture scene of the late 1960s and early 1980s. Two new guys join the Dynamite Girls in this collection. Auden is an in-demand hair and makeup artist and Remi is becoming a top fashion photographer in the industry. Together, with the girls, they make a great team!
Above is the New FR: Monogram collection, Passionate, Bemused and Envied…
Fashion Royalty The New Close-ups Collection
Together again...
Well it was the season of love so it was good timing for the most famous of dolls to mend their long broken relationship!
After several months of online flirting on Twitter, facebook et al the love birds finally made it official on Valentines day. Announced via billboards placed in major cities all over the world.
Congratulations to the two of them. Lets hope it lasts this time round!
Related Articles
- Reunited: Barbie and Ken get back together (thestar.com)
- A 50 Year Romance: Barbie + Ken (dollobserver.com)
- Ken And Barbie Update Their Status (npr.org)
In the latest issue of Dolls Magazine we are treated to a glimpse of a brand new Sybarite doll from Team Superfrock complete with the new, and hotly anticipated, Generation 3:1 body. She is suspected to be a MarlB exclusive and looks rather stunning!
Another teaser ad in the Haute Doll supplement which now comes with Doll Reader magazine and which further tantalises with the ‘February 2011′ tagline!
Related Articles
- Hells Belles here’s Superfrock’s TOXICA (dollobserver.com)
Integrity Toys make their debut at IDEX this year and one of the first on the list of their revelations for 2011 is a sneak peak at the comeback of one of their favourite characters Veronique Perrin. Entitled Modern Comeback, she is a basic lingerie dolls and comes in both blonde and dark hair styles with co-ordinating basques. Both are due in March 2011 as IT Direct exclusives priced at $90 via W Club lottery.
“Veronique looks stunning as she wears a one piece black lingerie outfit with matching black stockings for her debut. Her long, raven hair (rooted) falls gently around her shoulders. Veronique wears stud earrings and has matching black shoes. Veronique is back and ready to get into the game!”
“This version of Veronique compliments the raven haired doll perfectly! Blonde and beautiful, Veronique has an identical set of lingerie, only her outfit is in black and pink colors with black stockings. This blonde bombshell also wears stud earrings. Veronique sets her sights on leading W Cosmetics into another fabulous year!”
It all started in the spring of 1961. Ken Carson was new on the scene and love was in the air…
One of the most iconic and beloved couples of all time, Barbie and Ken are synonymous with EPIC romance. Wherever Barbie happens to be, Ken isn’t far behind. Best known as Barbie doll’s Prince Charming, arm candy and stylish counterpart, Ken is also known as confident, considerate, and of course, the ultimate boyfriend for every occasion. And just like any true romance, their love story is one for the ages—complete with headline-grabbing breakups, trendsetting styles and a love that has endured over five decades.
First introduced at the American International Toy Fair as Barbie doll’s boyfriend, Ken doll arrived on the scene March 11, 1961, standing 12-inches tall and sporting his now famous “molded” plastic hair. He was dashing and different from any other doll on the shelf with his red bathing suit trunks, yellow beach towel and sandals. A few weeks following the fanfare of his global debut, Ken met Barbie for the first time on the set of their first television commercial together. As soon as he laid eyes on the blonde beauty, it was love at first sight. The rest as they say, is history.
ROMANCE BLOSSOMS…
Thrust into the spotlight as America’s most fashionable “first man,” Ken and his leading lady took center stage as the power “It” couple. Together, this dynamic duo has been a constant reflection of the times—sporting each decade’s trendiest fashions and hairstyles plus launching careers that inspired generations of fans.
During the 70s, the couple stepped out together with the grooviest hairstyles of the decade as Quick Curl Barbie and Superstar Ken. One of their most instantly recognizable looks, Sun Lovin Malibu Barbie and Sun Lovin Malibu Ken made sun-kissed tans all the rage. Throughout the ,80s, the couple continued to set trends with their big hair and flashy style as Dream Date Barbie and Dream Date Ken. Barbie and Ken concentrated on their acting and professional careers throughout the ,90s, starring in 10 movies together. They also tried on new roles as Olympians, pilots and dancers—never losing sight of their adoration for each other. It wasn’t until the new millennium that it would all change for Ken.
THE BREAKUP
On Valentine’s Day 2004, after more than 43 years together, Hollywood’s quintessential couple decided to spend time apart. Creating a worldwide sensation, Barbie began dating Blaine, an Aussie surfer who charmed his way into her heart. However, proving that true love stays in your heart forever, Ken made a big play to get Barbie back in 2006. He enlisted the help of celebrity stylist, Phillip Bloch to impress Barbie with a “Hollywood makeover.” Although Ken scored big points with Barbie for the effort and new look, the two dolls remained just friends.
ON AGAIN?
After several low key, behind-the-scenes years, Ken decided it was time to step out in a big way in 2010. In the spring of that year, Ken reignited his mass pop culture appeal with his critically acclaimed self-portrayal and starring role in Toy Story 3. Ken was back as the ultimate bachelor. He became a social media butterfly with new profiles on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare and the inspiration for an all-new digital reality series, “Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend.” Everyone’s favorite male fashion doll even got the Big Apple buzzing as he made special appearances during Fashion’s Night Out.
With all the hype, newfound fame and attention, Ken hopes at least one pair of baby blues is watching him. An inspired romantic, Ken believes in true love…and that this epic love story is far from over.
About The Author
Simon Farnworth AKA 'The Doll Observer' is a fashion doll aficionado. He is owner of the DollObservers.com community and columnist for Haute Doll magazine.
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