Barbie Basics Model No. 9 by Betsey Johnson

A few weeks back we showed you a sneak peek of the CFDA X Barbie dolls that 12 CFDA members designed for the launch of the Barbie Basics Collectors Edition line celebrating the one item every woman should have in her closet, the  “Little Black Dress”. I put on my own sparkly LBD and went down to Openhouse Gallery for the Tweet Up event to shmooze with some other bloggers and witness the unveiling the 12 dolls.

The line of  Barbie Basic dolls each sport their own distinct silhouette of the “Little Black Dress” fashion classic and represent a variety of hairstyles, facial features and skin tones and can be customized to represent your own personal style with 4 different chic accessory packs. The packaging of every doll also comes with a randomized quote about the “Little Black Dress” from 80 different CFDA members like Diane Von Furstenberg.

These designer dolls are currently being auctioned off on Ebay, through February 7th, with proceeds directly benefiting CFDA education initiatives and scholarship program.

Barbie Basics Model No. 11 by Devi Kroell

While at the event I learned some pretty cool facts about some of the designer dolls. While some of the designers were inspired by the the LBD that their doll came with, some accessorized, some embellished the dress and footwear, and some created their own dresses entirely. Rachel Roy’s dress design was made from material from her Cruise 2010 collection, while Lorraine Schwartz embellished and accessorized her Barbie with 6 carats of diamonds worth $10,000. Kate Spade’s design was inspired by Lady Marmalade, a piece in her Holiday NY collection.  Devi Kroell recreated her amazing broken mirror mosaic as a pair of boots for her doll. And Monica Botkier designed and embellished her dress with her daughter.

This collectors edition of Barbies are available in stores en masse, and are available for just $20. The Barbie Basics collection edition will also continue in the future, posing the question “What is the basic?” I’m interested to see what they come up with next.

You can follow @BarbieStyle  on twitter and check out her blog – All Dolled Up, where CFDA designer Justin Guinta (who was at the event) has posted a guest blog about his designer doll. You can also check out a lot more up close and personal photos I shot of the dolls on Flickr.

CFDA x Barbie

The CFDA has teamed up with Barbie and Matel introduced a Barbie Basics doll, who wears a simple little black dress and can be easily accessorized and personalized by their owners with special accessories kits featuring such items as scarves, purses, shoes or jewelry.

Together with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, it has cooked up a special initiative to mark the launch of this special Barbie. For instance, the packaging of each Barbie Basics doll features a quip from a CFDA member about the little black dress.  In addition, 12 CFDA members have accessorized a Barbie Basics doll, and in some cases, customized the little black dress.

The participating designers include Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Justin Giunta, Lorraine Schwartz, Alexis Bittar, Monica Botkier, Deborah Lloyd of Kate Spade, Albertus Swanepoel and Devi Kroell.

“Each designer expressed his or her individual style by transforming their original Barbie Basics doll into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece,” said Stephanie Cota, senior vice president of marketing for Barbie. “The use of unique materials, special fabrics and, in one case, real diamonds, demonstrate how to infuse one’s own style and personality by accessorizing.”

The special editions will be auctioned on eBay starting this Thursday through Feb. 7, with an opening bid of $100.

The entire net proceeds from the sale of these dolls will benefit CFDA’s educational initiatives and scholarship program. Barbie has been one of the largest donors to various CFDA initiatives, this being her latest charitable endeavor in aid of the organization. “She is the doll that keeps on giving,” Kolb said.

If you didn’t see our post for the Christian Louboutin post a while back take a peek here.

Source

Blythe Custom Workshop

THIS SATURDAY! Double Punch, San Francisco, presents a lovely afternoon on how-to customize your Blythe Dolls! They’re going to start with the basics so any skill level is welcome to join us. Presented by Cat of Piximix. It’s also FREE!

Blythe dolls, image via Moline

Saturday – April 18, 2009

Session 1: 1:30 – 3:00pm
Session 2: 3:15 – 4:45pm

To find out more about the workshop, click here for Cat’s Blog. If you wish to reserve a seat, please email Double Punch at store@doublepunch.com, otherwise you can just drop in. Seats are limited. Refreshments will be served.
1821 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
415-399-9785

www.doublepunch.com
store@doublepunch.com

Buff Fest 2 has arrived! This is the official pre-release of the SDCC Exclusive Series 2 figures. This series has only 400 sets of 8 designs, plus a secret figure and a new print. It’s gonna be crazy, don’t miss this toy release and signing party! Plus who can go wrong with free food and goodies?

Also check out the new Buff Monster x Official Fitted hat available here.

Details about the party after the jump!
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Kidrobot NYC will be opening their new doors tomorrow. I can’t imagine what they have planned for the event but I’m sure it won’t disappoint!

Buff Monster will be in NYC this weekend for the opening of his show at Giant Robot New York on Saturday night from 6:30pm to 10 pm. The show will feature all new works by Buff Monster – this is definitely a must see as Buff Monster never disappoints. Whenever I see his work I’m transported to a world full of whimsy and pink cottoncandy and of course, filled with little Buff Monsters!

Also this weekend in New York, you can meet the Buff Monster himself at Comic Con where he will be signing the new 3″ Metallic Pink Squirt Figure on Friday at 6:30pm at the Toy Tokyo booth and on Saturday at 11am at the MINDstyle booth (#1313). The figure is limited to 200 pieces and sells for $30. This is a great opportunity to get toys with limited distribution and have them signed!

Dunny Series 4 is rockin’ the block with it’s greatest assortment of artists yet. That isn’t to say the first three series weren’t great, it’s just that this one is going to blow your minds!
Series 4 is a 3-Inch mini-series featuring Frank Kozik, Jon Burgerman, MAD, Tara McPherson, Mad Barbarians, Shane Jessup, David Flores, KOA, Sket One, Gary Baseman, Michael Motorcycle, Joe Ledbetter, MIST, Nico Berry, Thomas Han and Mike ‘2600′ Davis of Twelve Car Pileup. Like we said, it’s gonna blow your minds.

This 20 piece blind assortment features some designs limited to just 500 pieces and a few of you lucky Dunny hunters will find the 1 in 400 Golden Ticket redeemable for an incredibly exclusive and surely sought after Frank Kozik Dunny.

Buy them here!

Info & Images: Kidrobot

Mo’ Dunnies, Mo’ Dunnies, Mo’ Dunnies! And yet another hot drop from the creatives at Kidbot ! Tomorrow, April 5th is the release of the Dunny Tattoo series, featuring designs by famed tattoo artists: CIV , Eric Newman , Grez , Eric Merrill , Kevin Starai , Nick Baxter , Shane O’Neill , Dave Fox , Joe Capobianco , BJ Betts, Hannah Aitchiso, and Matt Rinks . $6.95 each and as usual, very limited!! Yes, there are a lot of links above, but don’t you agree that is good to know a little about the artist behind what you are buying? I think so, so get educated on the above artists and enjoy your toys even more!

Check out graphic artist, Tara McPherson’s new creations for Kidrobot- Ace Kittyhawk and Ion Z. The space bear and alien bunny take flight in a giant space ship with their pet dragon and have the entire universe to explore.

All three figures are packaged in a rocket ship box with puffy stickers and coloring book… only 1500 are available at kidrobot retail locations and online … so Kidrobot fans, HURRY!

Also, Tara is touring the country for a 3-day signing tour, so be sure to check her out: 3.27 in NYC, 3.28 in San Fran, & 3.29 in LA