One of the many fashion doll related designs in the Doll Observers Store

To celebrate the summer and the Doll Observers store we have a very special offer of 20% off every item in the store!

By purchasing products from your store, they help support our community’s efforts. So go spread the word amongst your friends and fellow Doll Observers!

Why not go and treat your self!

Coupon Details

20% off orders from the Doll Observers shop
Coupon code: NINGSAV2
Expires: August 13, 2010

One of the brightest stars in the fashion doll world will soon be no more

It is with great sadness that I have learnt that Haute Doll magazine, a perennial favourite amongst fashion doll lovers, will soon be no more. It seems that the the publishers has become yet another victim to the ongoing economic downturn and have decided to ‘retire’ from publishing as from the July/September issue.

Although the magazine will no longer be published as is we do know that it will become a ‘supplement’ in Doll Reader, published by Madavor Media. The first of these is due to be published in October. It is not yet known if there will continue to be the exclusive dolls that we have come to know and look out for. Particularly the Sybarite lovers amongst us who have long benefited from the special relationship the Superfrock boys had with HD.

It’s not difficult to work out why she was so popular as she was gorgeous! Fabulous smokey face-up and spanish senorita styling.  Oh well you win some you lose some!

Not since Janet Jackson’s ‘wardrobe malfunction‘ has a normal part of female anatomy caused quite so much controversy. Well in the doll community at least!

Follow this link to read the full story!

“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.

Available now in all good stores... well it's available in the Doll Observer store at least!

I wanted to let you all know that the new Doll Observer online shop is now open for business. You will find an array of doll related slogans and designs adorning a wide range of apparel and accessories including T-shirts, mugs and a variety of bags. They make an ideal gift for the doll lover in your life… including you!

The T-shirt pictured here is one such design available. It sports a phrase that many of you will recognise as something our favourite pink princess, may or may not have said, once upon a time. Controversial maybe… but very cool in a post feminist, 21st century kinda way!

To celebrate the shop opening there is a very special coupon giving a 15% discount on all sales. See below for details and hurry as this very special offer runs out on the 15th of July! So check out the shop now and save some pennies too!

Coupon details:
15% off your order*
Coupon code: NING0715
Expires: July 15, 2010

Enter the code at checkout and save!

Thanks to my friend Lilly on Doll Observers for the fab publicity pic!

The first doll, which landed on planet Superfrock today, is called Maverick. This rather lovely doll sports the Venus D’Royce clone face. Many fans have likened her looks to the basic Venus, released a couple of years ago. I have to agree… to a degree. However the face-up does have very subtle differences and colouring. And she is nevertheless gorgeous! The wig is to die for and the outfit sublime! Go to Superfock now to see for yourself and look out for her sister Mantilla coming very soon!!

This is her blurb:

“the GATEKEEPERS
Maverick ED: 75
(as seen in promo image for 2010 Valentine excl. gown ‘After Midnight’)
Venus d’Royce. clone: 777.
Neutral yet colourful. Serene yet demanding!
Gorgeous Venus appears in shades of nude and reptile with
just a dash of DAYGLO lime! Chantilly lace nude mantilla, silk satin and silk chiffon backless midrif blouse, lime beaded skirt, crystal and metalic hose. ankle boots in faux lizard!
10 matching bracelets and dark burnt plum armlets. hairbows in matching lime and nude corsage!
Turquoisey jade eyes, neurtral shadow, pale guava lips & applied brown eyelashes.
Everything you ever wanted in a gate keeper… and then some.”

Do I look like a real gal?

I’ve had a severe case of writers block these last few weeks and in order to stir the creative juices decided to make a plea via Twitter for some inspirational suggestions. One very helpful Twitter-er, Mothdoll, suggested writing about the dolly things I’d like to see but aren’t yet true. Well that really got me thinking and therefore here are my very own “Top 10 Fashion Doll Wants”!

1. I love an articulated doll. In fact I adore the realistic poses they can achieve as opposed to the “zombie” look of less articulated dolls (Miss B take a bow!). However, and it pains me to admit, I do have a wee bit of an issue with ugly joints. There we go I’ve said it, no matter how I try I just can’t get past UGLY joints! They can mar photos and they make me point blank refuse to put a doll in shorts! So please doll inventor people come up with a way of making articulation look more real, just like those beautiful faces you so wonderfully create.

2. Can someone please stop Robert Tonner jumping on every single franchise bandwagon and start concentrating on designing fashion dolls? You know those very things that made him what he is and made us all adore him for his great talent! I mean ballerina Wizard of Oz dolls? Whatever next!

3. What I’d also love to see is far more accessories for the 16” brigade. By that I mean things like furniture, diorama items, backdrops and anything that can make their environments that bit more realistic. As a child I always loved playsets and I’d love to see “official” environments for my dolls to be displayed and photographed in.

4. Less harmful packaging please! Why should it take an hour to debox a doll and drag half a headful of hair out of their head in the process!

5. Please no more dead baby dolls creeping into fashion doll shows/sales rooms. It’s like oil and water and just ain’t right I’m afraid!

6. I’d love to see more realistic short hairstyles because how many women do you know that have hair down to their beltline?

7. Sort out the prices. I mean I may be an adult collector but does that mean I have to pay prices that would make a millionaire wince? I love my dolls but I do have to eat! Although that said I can go without if Superfock have a particularly wonderful trifle on offer…

8. As a UK resident I would love to see some actual real life doll shops rather than just relying on the Internet and evilbay.

9. And as a UK resident why of why are US shipping rates so darned expensive!

10. Finally please can it be law that celebrity likenesses be actual likenesses rather than bizarre recycled moulds!

So there is my top 10. Does anyone agree or disagree or have any other suggestions? Please comment and let me know.

Diamonds are a girls best friend!

Having personally created history making jewels for Academy Award-winning films and many of the worlds most influential women, its only natural that Canturi should apply his meticulous attention to detail to creating a piece that marries Barbie’s confidence and feminine style, and his timeless Cubism jewelry.

Stefano states, “I didn’t just want to cover her with diamonds, I wanted the jewelry design to pay homage to her modern yet timeless style, this is why I applied my Cubism design concept to her look. It is perfect for her.”

“With the launch the of the Barbie Basics collection here in Australia, we wanted a to give the launch a very unique Australian perspective, so we engaged Stefano Canturi to design the ultimate accessories for Barbie, an Australian pink diamond jewelry suite. Stefano’s signature style fits perfectly with the Barbie brand– modern, yet timeless.” Kate Carroll, Barbie Brand Manager – Mattel Australia.

Barbie® has never been married (she just likes to model wedding gowns for her designer friends)
Barbie and Ken are currently “friends” (but we hear he wants her back)
Barbie has never been pregnant (that was her best friend Midge)
Barbie’s “real” measurements are 5 inches (bust), 3 ¼ inches (waist), 5 3/16 inches (hips). Her weight is 7 ¼ ounces
There actually is no such thing as Caribou Barbie…BUT, there have been four “Barbie for President dolls”—Barbie has run as an Independent representing the Party of Girls
Barbie is a noun, not an adjective. Many people have adopted the Barbie moniker, but make no mistake, there is only ONE Barbie.
Because she’s plastic, Barbie technically has had “plastic surgery” on her face and body
Barbie once said, “Math class is hard!” but has since amended her stance to, “Math class can be hard, but not impossible!” Obviously Barbie wouldn’t have excelled in her science and math classes to later become a surgeon, dentist, baby doctor, zoologist and many other science-savvy professions.
Barbie released her own re-recorded version of the 90s hit song “Barbie Girl”
She’s a doll, people…