Sophisticated Summer Dressing

Embrace Summer with a Season Full of Stylish Fashion for Every Occasion.

For a day of shopping or lunch with the girls, iconic fashion model known simply as Barbie selects a chic silk suit from Bellissima Couture.  Gloves are from Mattel.  Hat and purse are from The Couture Touch.  Lingerie Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel's BFMC.

The warm summer days ahead call for a versatile, cool cotton striped dress accented with a silk sash.  Dress and jewelry are from The Couture Touch.  Straw handbag is from Mattel's BFMC.  "Friday Night Date" Reproduction Barbie is from Mattel.

Every gal on the go needs a black strapless dress in their summer wardrobe.  Randall Craig's "A La Mode" [turquoise version] silk dress with coordinating knit shrug and beaded necklace will take Barbie from sightseeing to cocktails in style.  Gloves and handbag are from Mattel.  "Gal on the Go" Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel's BFMC.

A Simply Chic Corded Hat for Fashion Dolls

An Easy DIY Project

Actress/Director Ivy Jordan wears a stylish tilted hat of her own creation.  This versatile hat features a corded base that can be trimmed in a variety of ways.

Here's what you will need to make this smart hat:

• Lightweight cardboard.  
• 1/8" wide Butcher's String.  You could also use yarn.
• Circle template.  
• Pencil.
• Scissors.
• Glue.  I used Elmer's Multi-Purpose Glue for this project.  
• Fabric for lining (Optional).
• Assorted trims.

Fig.1

Step 1:  Trace a circle onto cardboard and cut out.  A 2-1/2" diameter circle was used for Ivy's hat.  However you can make it any size you wish.  Cut a slit to the center of the circle as shown in Fig. 1 above.  Overlap 1/4" and glue in place.  Let it dry thoroughly.

Fig. 2

Step 2:  Apply a thin coat of glue to the top of the cardboard hat base.  I used a small paintbrush to apply the glue working a small section at a time.  Wind the string slowly into a spiral shape tucking the end under as shown on the right in Fig. 2 above.  Tip:  I found it easier to begin winding the string a couple rounds in my hand first, then center it on the base as shown above and continue winding until the base is covered.  To finish, glue the end underneath the base as shown on the left in Fig 2.  Let your hat dry thoroughly.

Fig.3

Step 3:  To line your hat, cut the same size circle out of cotton fabric and glue to the underside, darting it to fit as shown above in Fig 3.  I used Beacon's Fabri-Tac adhesive to attach the lining.  You are now ready to trim your hat as desired.

This stylish hat is also suitable for 1:6 scale size dolls such as Barbie.  A 2" diameter circle was used to make Barbie's chic tilt.  Jacket and scarf were borrowed from Buenos Aires Victoire Roux.  Gloves from Mattel.  Skirt and fur are from The Couture Touch.  Lingerie Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel.

Additional Credits:

Pearls and Pink Ivy Jordan is from Integrity.  Her "Smart Set" ensemble [Ashton Drake] is borrowed from her dear friend Miss Gene Marshall.

3 Ways with Flowers & Bows

From the pages of a leading fashion magazine, Monolithic Studios' film stars Gene Marshall and Madra Lord along with iconic fashion model Barbie show their favorite ways with flowers and bows.

The jacket from Love, Paris is updated with a floral accented bow at the neckline and two small black bows at the waistline.  Teamed with a slim, black pleated skirt gives Miss Marshall's ensemble panache.  Re-shaped hat is from Sandra Stillwell.  Jacket and jewels are from Ashton Drake.  Handbag from Robert Tonner.  Skirt, gloves, and styling are from The Couture Touch.  Destiny Gene Marshall, re-coiffed and enhanced with an Integrity articulated body, is from Ashton Drake.

Appearing on the editorial page, Miss Lord wears a delightful three strand pearl necklace accented with a ribbon flower recycled from Gene Marshall's Press Conference hat.  A small metal hook from a hook & eye closure was sewn to the back of the flower.  The flower is attached by simply hooking it over the pearls.  If necessary, use a mini, needle nose jewelry plier to adjust the hook in order to accommodate larger pearls.  Top is from Ashton Drake's A Lady Knows.  Special Scene Madra Lord is from Integrity.

The designers of Barbie's chic suit were right on trend with the jeweled ribbon bow accent.  A jeweled button could also be sewn on a ribbon bow for a similar effect.  The OOAK turban is from The Couture Touch.  Trace of Lace Silkstone Barbie (re-styled) and the Tweed Indeed suit are from Mattel.

Perfectly Suited for the Holidays

A cocktail party with friends or an intimate dinner for two suggests an elegant suit ensemble as the perfect choice.  Barbie chooses a one-of-a-kind, fur-trimmed suit of rich burgundy and black moire silk with matching handbag from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.  The floral-trimmed, black headband from Ashton Drake's "Little Black Dress" set is fashioned into a chic pillbox.

Barbara Millicent Roberts

Credits:

Walking Suit Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel.

Styling from The Couture Touch.

Color Me a Fashionable Autumn

The news from Paris.....Colorful, whimsical hats are all the rage and were prominently featured on the runways of the top fashion houses.

Join us as the original, iconic fashion model and her sophisticated Parisian counterpart add their own colorful twist to a fashionable fall wardrobe.

A Model Life Barbie

Barbie pairs black with contrasting bright colors that spell drama.  Dress and fur are from Dressmaker Details.  Purse from Madame Alexander.  Jewels and gloves are from Mattel.

Buenos Aires Victoire Roux

Victoire makes a strong fashion statement by mixing red with black and white houndstooth.  Jacket and gloves are from Mattel.  Necklace is from Randall Craig.  Bracelet from Joshard.  Earrings from Ashton Drake.  Skirt is from The Couture Touch.

Black and White Bathing Suit Barbie

Beige is ever so chic when paired with vivid touches.  Suit, handbag, and brooch are from Mattel.  Fur from PD Root.  Earrings from Integrity.  Gloves and bracelet are from The Couture Touch.

Credits:

Silkstone Barbie is from Mattel.

Victoire Roux is from Integrity.

All hats and styling are from The Couture Touch.

Click HERE for instructions on making these Captivating Chenille Hats.

Casual Summer Dressing

Two incomparable divas show just how chic casual dressing can be.  Mix and match separates begin with a core wardrobe basic, the notched collar blouse....a staple in any era.

Mabel Lorkovic (aka Madra Lord) teams the blue and white window pane checked blouse from Ashton Drake's Star Wardrobe Collection with a navy pencil thin skirt and matching belt.  Mustard accessories give the ensemble a sophisticated look.  Circa 1950's.

Barbara Millicent Roberts (aka Barbie) wears her iconic yellow body blouse with a multi-colored, floral, gathered skirt (Country Fair #1603, Mattel).  The casual look is elevated with pops of black and white.  Circa 1960's.

Credits:

OOAK hats are from The Couture Touch.
Handbags are from Mattel.

The Divas:

Spotted in Manhattan Madra Lord is from JamieShow.
Walking Suit Barbie is from Mattel's Silkstone Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

Happy Easter!

It's The Holidays!

Fashion Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas.

Inspired by.....Chanel

In Paris, Gabrielle Chanel designed a deceptively simple, collarless jacket that has become a fashion icon. Executed in jersey or tweed, the jacket often featured braid trim, metallic buttons, and pocket detailing. It was modern, chic, and comfortable. Paired with a slim, well-fitting skirt, the suit epitomized the classic look of the late 1950's and early 1960's.

Vintage McCalls sewing pattern.

Included in Barbie's 1959 wardrobe, was a nod to the Chanel jacket. Commuter Set (1959-60) featured a two-piece navy cotton jersey suit, and a white satin sleeveless body blouse for elegant dinners. A casual blue and white mini-checked blouse was also included along with a delightful three-flower silk hat, gloves, jewelry, shoes, and hatbox.

Illustration from a vintage Barbie booklet.

Mattel's Dusk To Dawn Gift Set from the 2001 Barbie Fashion Model Collection included a similar Chanel-style suit re-interpreted in timeless black. A legendary classic look perfect for a legendary diva's wardrobe.

Dusk to Dawn Barbie styled by The Couture Touch.

From Smart to Sizzle

First came the cool sophistication of City Smart....then the refined elegance of Sunday Best.  Now get ready for some sizzle!

Inspired by Mattel's 2003 "City Smart/Sunday Best" fashion, Barbie wears a chic daytime ensemble guaranteed to turn heads. Sheath and hat are from The Couture Touch. Purse, gloves, and necklace are from Mattel. Chinoiserie Red Sunset Barbie Doll was a 2004 Barbie Bazaar Special Offer.

City Smart

Sunday Best

City Smart and Sunday Best are from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

An Iconic 1959 Sheath Dress

Nothing could be more chic than the modern, sleek lines of a surprisingly flattering, form-fitting sheath. 

The Apple Print Sheath #917 (1959 - 1960) was a smart, figure-hugging dress that accented Barbie's every curve. The rolled collar and delightful print made this an eye-catching ensemble. The identical sheath was also paired with a black faille coat in one of the most coveted outfits from the 900 series, Easter Parade #971 (1959). It was Haute Couture at its finest!

Photo courtesy fashion-doll-guide.com

The sheath saw its greatest popularity during the 1950's and 1960's. Its simplistic design gave the wearer a sense of glamour and sophistication. In 1962 Mattel created the Fashion Paks for Barbie that included the Silk Sheath (1962 - 1963). The slim skirt and fitted bodice were accented with a wider rolled collar and self-bow accent. The sheath was available in pale yellow, black, turquoise, red, green, white, and golden yellow. 

Bias rolled collar sheath pattern with interesting seam detailing designed by Luis Estevez.
Made by McCalls exclusively for The Quaker Oats Co., 1959.
Photo courtesy vintagepatterns.wikia.com

A decade earlier, Dior created an antithesis to his New Look called the "Vertical Line", a sleeker sheath with fitted bodice and a longer, pencil-thin skirt. It often featured a scoop or boat neckline enhanced with collars and bows.

Photo by Gordon Parks, 1949.
Courtesy glamourdaze.com

The versatility and elegance of the iconic sheath dress make it a must-have for every miniature fashion diva's wardrobe.

Credits:

The Models & Fashions:

Trench Setter Barbie from the Barbie Fashion Model Collection wears the apple print sheath from the vintage reproduction Easter Parade (1994). Bubblecut wig was borrowed from a vintage Fashion Queen. All from Mattel.

Holiday Hostess Thanksgiving Feast Barbie wears a vintage pale yellow silk sheath. Dress & accessories are from Mattel. Purse is from Randall Craig.

Trench Setter Barbie wears an OOAK periwinkle sheath ensemble from The Couture Touch. Purse & bracelet are from Randall Craig. Shoes & earrings are from Mattel.

Bibliography:

Barbie Fashion, Vol. 1 by Sarah Sink Eames.

History of the Sheath Dress from the fashion archives at startupfashion.com

The Second New Look of 1949 from glamourdaze.com

Barbie and Victoire Roux in Paris

Barbara Millicent Roberts is ready to take Paris by storm joining French fashion model sensation Victoire Roux for a fashion shoot highlighting Fall suits.

Debut Barbie

Barbie makes her entrance wearing a signature print swing coat over the black satin sheath from "Vintage Elegance" Candi fashion by Hamilton Toys. White with black trim patent clutch is from Randall Craig. Hat, belt, and necklace are from The Couture Touch. Earrings are from Integrity. Coat and bracelet are from Mattel.

Suite Retreat Barbie

Barbie slips into a chic bubblecut wig from D.A.E. Originals for an evening location shoot at a Paris cafe wearing a raw silk jacket from the "Natural Instinct" Candi fashion over a slim black skirt. Jewels, gloves, and scarf are from Mattel. Fur and skirt are from The Couture Touch. Hat with replaced trim is from the Manhattan Moods "Fashion Week" suit ensemble by Hamilton Toys.

Victoire Roux

Just in from Buenos Aires, Victoire models the sophisticated black wool suit from the Manhattan Moods "Fashion Week" Candi fashion ensemble by Hamilton Toys. Purse is from Integrity. The dramatic, leopard-trimmed hat and matching gloves are from The Couture Touch.

Credits: 
Debut and Suite Retreat Silkstone Barbie dolls are from The Barbie Fashion Model Collection by Mattel.

Buenos Aires Victoire Roux is from Integrity.

Rediscovering Old Favorites

Sometimes Spring cleaning, or in this case Summer cleaning, can often yield forgotten treasures such as a misplaced outfit and a pair of Silkstone Barbie dolls that lost their "hair" appeal.

A reproduction Fashion Queen Barbie doll is ready to take the fashion world by storm. The "Fashion Editor" ensemble gets a stylish new look by adding a black skirt, black patent belt, and fabulous jewels. The costume's original leopard skirt was fashioned into the dramatic turban. Hat, gloves, necklace, and brooch are from The Couture Touch. All other pieces are from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection.

Trench Setter Silkstone Barbie is tres chic in her bee-hive platinum wig from Monique. Mademoiselle wears the delightful cocktail dress from "Midnight Mischief". Bracelet is from Randall Craig.

Suite Retreat Silkstone Barbie is a vision of vintage elegance in the gown from the Hollywood Premiere Movie Star Collection. Necklace/ bracelet set and the chestnut bubblecut wig are from D.A.E. Originals "Weekend in New York" Haute Doll Exclusive set.

Credits:
Dolls and costumes are from Mattel's Barbie Fashion Model Collection unless otherwise noted.

Dressing for the Cocktail Hour

A chic daytime dress superbly executed in sumptuous silks or satins and topped with an elegant chapeau. Gloves, handbag, and costume jewelry mandatory. In the late 1940's, Dior coined the term "cocktail dress", and with it our fascination with the cocktail culture.

During the 1940's. black was the favorite color for the cocktail dress. J'Adore Gene Marshall wears a classic Bogue's Vogues black silk sheath accented with a side drape. Accessories include a marvelous black suede and pleated faille toque with jet beading accented with a lavish turquoise feather cockade and a matching structured handbag, both from The Couture Touch. "Diamond" jewelry and bow-enhanced black gloves are from Ashton Drake.

1950's cocktail dresses were either form-fitting or full-skirted with low plunging necklines and cinched waists. Silkstone Barbie Parisienne Pretty wears the navy silk stunner from Haute Doll Magazine's D.A.E. Original's exclusive "Weekend in New York" set. She wears her original earrings and hat. Pearl necklace and fur are from Mattel.

By the 1960's pastel colors were the preferred choice for cocktail dresses. Mattel's Mad Men Joan Holloway wears Integrity's Fashion Royalty yummy "Purple Factor" wiggle sheath borrowed from Adele Makeda. A perfect color for her titan tresses.

Source: metmuseum

Black, White & Striped

The striking combination of black, white, and diagonal stripes make this evening gown by D.A.E. Originals a stand-out. A #4 Lingerie Silkstone Barbie doll is ready for her grand entrance in the black and white slim sheath with detachable dramatic tiered, black ruffled train. Dress and jewelry are from "Weekend in New York", an Haute Doll exclusive Vivette gift set, circa 1950's. Floral bouquet is from Ashton Drake.

1930's black & white silk evening gown,
courtesy Mid-Century Love



1940's halter gown from Stylehive

Linda Evangelista in a Valentino rtw evening gown, 1992
Courtesy dailymail.co.uk

Barbie in Buenos Aires

Barbie pairs the jacket, scarf and hat from Integrity's 2013 Direct Exclusive "Buenos Aires Victoire Roux" dressed doll ensemble with a matching long and narrow Ultrasuede Facile skirt from The Couture Touch.  A touch of mink, a floral corsage, a delightful structured handbag, and of course gloves complete this chic 1950's style suit.  Lingerie Silkstone Barbie doll is from Mattel.

Signs of Spring.....

A Floral Hat.  Fashion Queen Barbie updates her classic "Commuter Set" suit ensemble with a delightful OOAK floral hat from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.

Bright Color.  Debut Silkstone Barbie wears the chic satin swing coat from Integrity's "Final Cut Isha" Giftset, an FAO Exclusive.  Her matching hat has been restyled.

Spring Tweeds.  A restyled Trace of Lace Silkstone Barbie wears the beautifully tailored "Tweed Indeed" suit with an OOAK turban from The Couture Touch.

Silkie Sophisticate

A New Year.......A New Outfit!  From the incomparable James Bogue of Bogue's Vogues, his classic shirtwaist dress in a delightful retro-inspired print.  If you sew, you know how hard it is to find prints that are perfectly scaled for dolls.  However this one is spot on; no pun intended.

 

Marie Therese from the BFMC accessorizes her chic shirtwaist with the hat from Mattel's "Breakfast at Tiffanys" (sans the white scarf).  Gloves,shoes and earrings are all from Mattel, cigarette holder from Integrity, bracelet from The Couture Touch, and fur stole from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs.