Target.com has some new dolls and playsets that are for now unavailable online but can be found in stores.
Barbie Sisters Skipper Doll and Tiki Hut Playset
Barbie Big Box Holiday Barbie Doll Gift Set
Barbie Holiday Nutcracker Barbie Doll
Price $16.99
Violence against women is a cause I’ve always been close too. My partens have supported for years an organization that helps women that have suffered from abuse so the subject is really close to my heart.
Mario and Gianni from Magia2000 are now involved in the “Wall of Dolls” campaign created by Jo Squillo that helps fight violence against women and they have created some amazing dolls that have been donated to help the cause.
The first doll is “Wonder Magia Woman“, a beautiful reinterpretation of the icon #1 Barbie.
She’s a beautiful glamazon that wears the iconic black and white swimsuit completely handbeaded with real Swarovski clear and black crystals. Her hair is tied up in a modern ponytail and her beautiful face is inspired by Magia 2000’s muse, Madonna.
They have also been commisioned to create dolls that were donated by Roberto Cavalli, Chiara Boni and Giusy Versace. Check out these beauties below.
You can find out more info on their official website.
The brunette special version of the Holiday Barbie Collector 2014 is for sale on eBay. Usually she’s a department store special but no word on that yet.
I wouldn’t pay $76.99 for her now. I’m sure she’ll turn up soon for a better price.
At the raffle held at IDC 2014 I really, really wanted to win the beautiful Kaori OOAK Barbie created by Victoria Designs on behalf of ACBE (Asociación de coleccionistas de Barbie en España). Her amazing dress and beautiful headpiece just blew me away. Unfortunatelly I didn’t win her, but I got a chance to talk to the designer and find out more about her work.
1. I first found about your designs when I saw your amazing Kaoki OOAK Barbie doll designed for the IDC 2014 raffle. Tell me a bit about this doll.
The ACBE wanted to work in the charity auction of the IDC as last year and it has been a pleasure and an honor for me to do this design for them. I thought in a design in keeping with the theme of the convention, but I dont wanted a very classic dress, so I was inspired by the new trend of young Japanese designers, so I did not want colorful prints. I decided a monochromatic design.
2. How did you start designing and customizing dolls and doll fashions?
I work as a wardrobe assistant in an international company and I go on tour with them, each week a different city or country and in my free time I work to make my designs. In my bag I always carry some barbies and this makes me feel closer to my house and time pass faster.
3. Some people are inspired by their favorite celebrities, others by fashion designers and other even dream their creations. What inspires you when you start creating?
I am inspired by the doll. When I have in my hands a new Barbie I look at his face and think about the style that can be best for her. I imagine her with new clothes and then I begin the hard work. Choosing tissues. Pattern…
4. What do you prefer: creating for Barbie or for FR?
I enjoy doing designs for various types of dolls, elegant and classic for FR and silkstone and casual and romantic for Poppy. Now I’m doing things for FR 16. For me it is a challenge to change measures, but I really like it.
5. Show us some of your creations and tell us more about them.
The same design on different dolls:
My first collection “Black and White” at the Barbie Convention, Barcelona 2012:
Some random designs on various dolls:
6. If you had to choose a period in the history of fashion design which would it be? And why?
My favorite period in fashion and designers are as 50s and 60s, Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, Pertegaz. They all contributed to give splendor to high fashion . I really love this years because the accessories were very important …hats, gloves, earrings and necklaces of pearls, heels..
7. If Mattel came to you and asked you to design a doll for them how would that doll look?
Definitely a doll dressed in casual clothes, jackets, pants, shirts. All combined together to form a good wardrobe . Something that any woman liked and of course with quality accessories, shoes and never forget bags and simple and elegant party dresses. Never glitter and using higher quality fabrics.
8. What if Integrity Toys asked you?
They have nice designs and good quality, but maybe they should think more in the collectors to launch new series.
But both Mattel and Integrity have a strong team of designers and I do not consider myself a designer. I am a seamstress who makes her own designs with perfect finish for dolls hahaha
9. This might be the most asked question in an interview, but I have to ask. What designs are you working on or planning to create?
Personal commissions have been delayed. I can not spend all the time that i wanted to this. My more immediate project is to present a Collection at the next convention of Barbie collectors in Spain, next October in Madrid. I hope to be a success as the others I have presented in previous editions of the convention.
10. A final quick shout to my readers.
I am a doll collector for over 25 years. But this is just plastic. Whats makes me feel proud is the “collection” of friends that I have found in this pink world.
Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to get closer to your readers and know my work.
Love, Carmen Ortí.
Some of the photos used were taken by Sandra.
IDC 2014 has just finished a week ago so I asked Mario and Gianni from Magia 2000 to answer a few questions about this amazing convention and their work.
1. Now that IDC 2014 has finished, tell me how was the feedback from the collectors regarding this year’s event?
The 2014 event was a huge success and we are so overwhelmed by positive feedbacks and love from collectors. We really appreciate how people reacted to all the efforts we did to customize this event much more this year than ever. The theme was very attractive and fascinating and brought collectors to take part to each and every single activities, like Fashion show, ooak competition like never before. We have confirmed the hotel was the perfect venue for Idc, classy and elegant but with wide room and extremely nice to details and it was great to be there once again. It was an incredible weekend with collectors from all over the world and I’m so happy the flight strikes didn’t compromise the events. I want to thank every conventioneers who really fought to be there despite of any transportation problem, we had fun!
2. I can’t believe this was the 4th year of IDC. How did the convention evolve from the first to this year?
Yes, we can’t believe it too, as I started dreaming of this convention as a National event , only for less than a hundred Italians and it became so popular all over the doll community in the world and in only few years. Of course I must thank all the big companies, as Mattel and Superfrock and many other ooak artists, who really invested in my project to make it real and possible. Through the years, I invited different persons in the committee and helpers to have more support or feedbacks and it was incredible how, despite the in & out of committee, we could keep the original passion for this event. It’s not an easy task to welcome 250 persons, as we were this year and with so many different expectations, but we believe this is the best way to make people have fun and feel welcome in Italy. There is lot of work behind the scene, drama and difficulties which we faced as usual, with passion and trying to smile! I and Gianni work with Mattel Italy as designers and graphic free lance, so that was the biggest connection which help the event with sponsorship and more, and then we are in this business and hobby from over 15 years and we strongly involved all our friends, as Marl Davidson, as sponsor or any other convention we usually attend. It’s a great way to make the community alive and united. Then Marinella was in charge of Salesroom and competition, as she is very well known in this and welcomed all dealers and artists as usual.
3. I know IDC goes foodie is next year’s theme. Tell me more about what you are planning for 2015. I know most of it is a secret, but maybe a few details.
2015 is the year of the Worldwide EXPO in Milan, and it will begin on 1st May 2015, so few days before the IDC, which will take place always at Melia Hotel on 16th and 17th May too. The Expo is one of the biggest event in world, with over 140 countries coming to expose their products and next year’s Expo theme is about nutrition and food. Italian cuisine is worldwide renowned as the best and so we chose to celebrate this connection. We mean to discover the connection between dolls and the food, so we are expecting to have tons of dolls dressed like food, vegetables and see dolls in the kitchen, we are still working on the whole project but we are sure the collectors have more imagination than ever, especially when the theme is not that obvious, you get the most incredible result.
4. I’ve seen a lot of articles in the Italian traditional media about your event. How do non-collectors react to IDC?
Yes, this year we had an incredible reaction from Media, tv, radio and magazine spread the Barbie and doll passion to non-collectors and I have to tell this was super positive. I believe that dolls can open every hearts, because they connect you to your childhood and make you think about it. Of course, the first reaction is incredibly shocking, but as soon as they are involved in the convention atmosphere they are totally overwhelmed. This happens to the charity association too, which are really unaware of anything about the doll community and then, after the convention are really fascinated by this funny and pink world. 5- Well, every Barbie collector waits for the Barbie US National convention every year and of course we are flying to Nashville in less than 6 weeks, so you can imagine this was part of the original ideas we had for that big event. This year we are celebrating 15 years of hobby and doll designing career, so we want to focus our attention to what made us famous in the collectors world, what is the Magia 2000 DNA, elegance, quality, sparkling glamour and of course pink! The year started with the exhibition at the Musee de la Poupee in Paris (still in exhibition until 13 September) which brought us on a different level of inspiration so we are now working hard to follow that couture feeling more than ever. We are in a very positive moment and we are probably more inspired to colors, flowers and all the bling bling outfits!
5. You are not only organizers but you also have a table in the sales room where you display your amazing creations. What dolls did you bring to IDC this year? Tell me more about your favorite ones.
Well, every Barbie collector waits for the Barbie US National convention every year and of course we are flying to Nashville in less than 6 weeks, so you can imagine this was part of the original ideas we had for that big event. This year we are celebrating 15 years of hobby and doll designing career, so we want to focus our attention to what made us famous in the collectors world, what is the Magia 2000 DNA, elegance, quality, sparkling glamour and of course pink! The year started with the exhibition at the Musee de la Poupee in Paris (still in exhibition until 13 September) which brought us on a different level of inspiration so we are now working hard to follow that couture feeling more than ever. We are in a very positive moment and we are probably more inspired to colors, flowers and all the bling bling outfits!
I first met Nickis at my first ever doll convention, IDC 2012. I was more than impressed with his amazing OOAK Barbie creations> and their out of this world look. I thought to myself “this guy is going to be big”. And I was so right. This year Nickis unveiled his first ever line of custom dolls called Free Fantasy Dolls. Amazing, fierce and glam dolls with a touch of magic.
I just had to ask the artist to tell me more about these dolls because I think they will appeal to a lot of collectors and will become the next must have dolls.
1. The first time I saw your creations were at IDC 2012 when you presented a beautiful collection of OOAK dolls with a fantasy theme and diamond eyes. Tell me how you decided to move from customizing Barbie dolls to creating your own line of dolls.
I had this dream for a long time … I had received a great surprise by a lot of appreciation to the national barbie convention in los angeles and when I came back to Italy I decided to continue my project … for express all of my concept on my dolls.
2. What is the theme of your new collection and how did you come up with it?
The first collection of FFD is called Acqua-Terra collection … I gave this name to join 2 very important concepts … my dolls are nymphs … and live in 2 parallel worlds of fantasy … the only way to get into our earthly world it’s by the “white deer” … (the caretaker). the water is passage from the fantasy world and the earth understood as the reality of our world.
3. Please show my readers your dolls and tell me a few words about each of them.
each doll is a part of me … I prefer to leave the free interpretation for each one of my “creature” … in this way I believe that every person can be reflected in a different way and grasp what ‘each character conveys.
4. How did the collectors respond to your collection? Tell me about the feedback you got.
I’m really speechless … I’m really honored for the amazing presentation and result in Milan … I got to see so many people who follow me and appreciate what I do. .. and I’m really grateful.
5. As always I need to ask what are your future plans with Free Fantasy Dolls.
will start a promotional tour … I’ll be’ present around europe and soon again in USA.. there are many projects in the game for my nymphs … Meanwhile, the first appointment will be confirmed for Madrid Fashion Doll Convention.
So what do you think about the Free Fantasy Dolls? I for one am very, very impressed by them. 
Hope you are too.
You can also read another interview with him on my friend Dani’s blog: Dani Crea En Rosa.
Via Confessions of a Doll Collectors Daughter and Dollie News I’ve found out that the La Dee Da dolls have been discontinued.
Can’t say I’m surprised. They are cute, but not collector cute and I don’t think they stand out that much in the toy isle.
Any La Dee Da collectors reading my blog?
When the 2014 Holiday Barbie was first revealed everybody started asking about the AA version because the caucazian one was (well is) kind of boring. Mattel Shop has just uploaded both versions and the AA one is stunning!
Don’t care a lot for the dress but this lady will definetly look perfect redressed in a fierce and elegant fashion. I would even rebody her.
What are your thoughts?
If you plan on attending the MADRID FASHION DOLL SHOW 2014 and you haven’t yet registered, now it’s the time to do it! Only a few spots left. Click HERE, download the PDF file, fill it with your personal information, scan it and send to: registration@madridfashiondollshow.com.
The registration is 165€ and it includes a Silkstone Barbie designed by Robert Best and donated by Mattel. For more info check out the official website of the convention.
See you in Madrid!
A quick post with some helpful links and info from the dolly world.
– The new Luciana Silkstone Barbie doll 2014 is up for preorder on Doll Genie.
– You can now order the new mini 2015 Barbie calendar.
– Superdoll London has just posted on their website a gorgeous set of golden luggages for 16′ dolls.
