Star Wars x Barbie #3

Hello Dolly Friends!

I'm taking a break from the great clothing organization to post about another newcomer to the group. Besides, the organization is a BIG job and is going to take me a while. Or years...... :)

Along with Princess Leia and the R2D2 Star Wars Barbie dolls, we also had one more iconic figure. 

DARTH VADER

 

When I first saw the Star Wars dolls I fell in love with this one. I had to have it. But at $100, not really something that was in the budget. I'm so happy I was able to have her. 

And she does not disappoint one bit!

Those black sunglasses are way cool but I wanted to see her eyes! She wears a black corset top and has a black cape. 
 

She holds a purse with a design on it that looks like Darth Vaders chest piece. The skirt has a pleather panel down the middle.
 

The cape is lined and holds its shape really well. Some of it is packaging but I've seen reviews of an unboxing and it does hold some of that shape out of the box.
 

Her sleeves have a ribbing on them. So cool
 

The skirt has the same ribbing. 
 

Okay. Shoes. Again, these do not disappoint. Boots with a red stripe up the side. LOVE.
 

Darth Vader concept art on the inside box left
 

Doll concept art on the right
 

Iconic Darth Vader quote is "The circle is now complete." It also has the Galactic Empire sign above it. 
 

If you care to know where the quote is from, it's from the movie Episide IV: A New Hope and goes like this:

Darth Vader:
I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I met you I was but the learner. Now, *I* am the master.
Obi-Wan:
Only a master of evil, Darth.

Here is a great picture of the doll from the Mattel website.

 

barbie.mattel.com

And my wish was granted. They had a picture of her without glasses so I could see her eyes. The thick black eyeliner is so awesome paired with that bold red lip. I think I like her better without her glasses. Too bad I can't reach in the box and take them off.

 

barbie.mattel.com

Here is an interview with Robert Best about the creation of this doll. 

Inspired by original concept art from Star Wars: A New Hope, the Star Wars™ X Barbie® Collection puts a high-fashion twist on iconic characters! In this exclusive interview, Robert Best talks about his love for Star Wars, design challenges, and shares his experience in bringing this new collection to life.

What was particularly exciting or unique about this collaboration for you?
The unique aspects of this come from the collaboration of two unique icons that truly stand alone. Barbie and Star Wars are cultural phenomena like no others and so it’s exciting to bring these two worlds together. I also think it might be an unexpected collaboration and I love that.

Darth Vader’s movie costume is actually a suit of life-supporting armor and cybernetics. How did that fact change, enhance, and/or limit your approach to the doll’s couture design?
While these details are interesting and relevant to the characters in the narrative related to the films, when you're creating a look “inspired by,” the purpose is to capture the essence of the character and include notable details. Then, it becomes more about what the costume and its narrative purpose represents emotionally, and finding a way to convey that through fashion.

What do you think fans of Star Wars and Barbie will be most excited about?
As a fan of both myself – my hope is that fans will share the excitement and joy that I had when creating these dolls from this unique and amazing collaboration. For me personally – this was definitely a dream collaboration and I hope that comes through to the fans.

I've read that some people were disappointed that Princess Leia didn't look like Carrie Fischer. However, like Robert Best said, these dolls are "inspired by" not identical look-alikes. So we have to take that into consideration. (Although I wouldn't be disappointed if they added a light saber, but that's just me.) :)

Darth Vader x Barbie is a Gold Label doll and has only 20,000 made worldwide.

Friends, what do you think of the third installment in the Barbie x Star Wars series? Love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments!

Up next, another super special doll that you will all love, i'm sure of it. Because we love all dolls right?! Until then!

The Great Clothing Organization

Greetings Friends!

So I started a "little" project. 

Out of the big pink bin came ALL. THE. CLOTHES. 

I had the clothes sorted by pants/capris, short dresses, long dresses, tops, jackets, Disney Princess, etc. But I needed a much better organization method. I knew I had lots of pieces from Fashion Packs/Closets over the years but how would I know now (or in the future) what pieces go with what pack? 

I tend to have a pretty photographic memory when it comes to doll clothing. I can see a picture on the net and could tell you if I have it or not. 

So I devised this method

For example, in this fashion pack, I only have the striped pants on the right. But if I happen to get other pieces from this set, I can see at a glance what is included in this collection. Just slide the new piece in the bag and we're all good to go! 

I had seen other organization methods like putting the clothes in binders (in the pages with pockets) but that didn't really appeal to me. If it works for you, awesome! But I think with dolly organization, we have to do what works best for each individual. Because we ALL have a TON OF DOLLY STUFF. Am I right? :)

For now, these bags are in this tub. They are all mixed together but I will soon separate them by Barbie, Ken, Disney Princess, etc. And then by year. 

It has been a couple of days researching clothing and their corresponding year to find out which pieces go where. I still have a lot to go but I've done so much already.

But can I just say one thing? I did not realize that I had so many Fashion Fever pieces. I now have a great appreciation for that line. Can Mattel bring back the Fashion Fever? So many cool outfits that are just beautiful and modern and so so awesome. I'm loving all of the dolls and fashions from that line!

I also had a falling out with dolls (age 16-mid twenties) so there were some doll lines that I had never heard of in my life. Pom Pom Divas? Candy Glam? Yep. Now I know they are there. 

Going though all of the clothes has also given me a chance to clean some of the more dirty ones with a thorough soak in Oxy Clean! Man, it is the miracle cleaner for doll clothes. Except this one. 

OH, I hate red! The sweater was so dingy and I didn't even think twice. And then part of the 'E' fell off. ugh. This is the shirt from Disney High School Musical School Spirit Gabriella doll. If you have her outfit, don't wash it! Find a different way to clean it. The red is attached to the sweater so there is no way to separate them. Luckily I saw the bleeding before I transferred to other items in the soak but this outfit is a lost cause unfortunately.

And I know I have a lot of the shoes that go with the fashion packs but I'm not adding those to the bags. They will all stay nice and tucked away in the tackle boxes that I have. I HIGHLY recommend this method for shoes!

I have two of these for Barbie Shoes, two for accessories and one for Ken shoes.  

If I have the exact doll itself for a fashion, it will be dressed in that specifically. But if a generic doll is wearing a random fashion, then I'll undress it and put the clothes in a bag. Then I'll work on cataloguing the original dolls wearing original fashions. 

So friends, what organization methods do you have for your clothing? Let me know in the comments!

Another super special doll coming up soon! Until then!

Star Wars x Barbie #2

Welcome Friends!

Hope you all have been well! Just a few things I wanted to mention before I get this post underway.

• I answer every comment I receive!
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Okay, now onto the best part of the post. You may (or may not, no worries if you didn't) have noticed that the title of the last post featured the word "girl(s)." Heavily implying that I may have added more than one doll.

Yes, there is more than one. After all, Princess Leia had to have a friend right?

And no better doll to feature on post #2 than the R2D2 x Barbie doll!

That Blue Hair! That makeup!

That blue hair just got me. You all know I love dolls with pink hair but this blue is just stunning. And that makeup just fits the theme so well.

The top is great too. Sheer with geometric shapes, just like R2! And that puffa vest? That is one of the best parts I think.

The skirt is sheer like the top and has rectangles all the way around. She also has a plastic belt with blue details.

She wears elbow length fingerless gloves and holds a purse that has a gold circular design on it.

Those boots! Thigh high white boots with different size rectangles printed on them.

The side has a silver stud at the ankle, the bottom is plastic and they have a wedge heel. One of the best parts, the shoes and with these dolls, Mattel and Robert Best didn't mess around!

Stand included with the Star Wars Logo.

On the inside of the box is the concept art of R2D2 on the left

And concept art of the doll on the right.

Just like the Princess Leia doll, this box also features a quote from R2D2. It reads "Beep, boop, beep." This is a direct quote from R2 in "A New Hope" (and every other movie R2 is in.)

The back of the box is identical to Princess Leia's and features the Rebel Alliance logo (which has since been corrected as I originally called it the Galactic Empire logo.) Huge sorry to all the Star Wars fans! I tend to be a little more of a Star Trek fan but should have caught myself on that one!

I have since found an interview about these dolls with Robert Best and here are some of his comments.


Inspired by original concept art from Star Wars: A New Hope, the Star Wars™ X Barbie® Collection puts a high-fashion twist on iconic characters! In this exclusive interview, Robert Best talks about his love for Star Wars, design challenges, and shares his experience in bringing this new collection to life.
What was particularly exciting or unique about this collaboration for you?
The unique aspects of this come from the collaboration of two unique icons that truly stand alone. Barbie and Star Wars are cultural phenomena like no others and so it’s exciting to bring these two worlds together. I also think it might be an unexpected collaboration and I love that.

The character of R2-D2 is instantly recognizable. What are some of the more subtle ways you integrated elements of the droid's design into the doll’s fashion?
Barbie doll’s hair and make-up firstly are a fun, subtle nod to the signature shapes and colors that fans of R2-D2 will recognize. Her belt is a very specific R2-D2 element that immediately stands out. The silver lining of the puffer vest is also a nice detail.

What do you think fans of Star Wars and Barbie will be most excited about?
As a fan of both myself – my hope is that fans will share the excitement and joy that I had when creating these dolls from this unique and amazing collaboration. For me personally – this was definitely a dream collaboration and I hope that comes through to the fans.

Here are some pictures of the doll from the Mattel Website.

barbie.mattel.com

The pictures do her no justice. She is much more beautiful in person.

And I did forget to show off this nice detail on the puffer vest. The red gem! So perfect!

barbie.mattel.com

R2D2 is another Gold Label collector Barbie with only 20,000 made worldwide.

So dolly lovers? Want or have the R2D2 x Barbie doll? Or have any other ones in the collection? Let me know in the comments!

Another very extra special post coming up soon. Until then!