It's The Holidays!

Fashion Yourself a Very Vintage Christmas.

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.

Nostalgic for Barbie

A reproduction brunette ponytail Barbie
in my vintage Campus Belle (1964-65).

No, I haven't abandoned the stars of Monolithic Studios. Gene, Madra, and the gang will inevitably return. But lately I have been nostalgic for the doll that started my love of fashion, sewing, and designing. As a child I spent idyllic hours dressing and redressing my beloved Barbie doll.  As a grown woman, I still enjoy spending idyllic hours dressing and redressing my beloved Barbie doll(s). So pardon my trip down memory lane....just enjoy it!

The Evil Queen Gets Her Glam On

Looking every inch the glamour queen, Snow White's Evil Queen is styled for sophistication in the chic tweed suit from FAO's Exclusive "Final Cut Isha" Gift Set by Jason Wu/Integrity. Fur and handbag are from Hunter-Goldblatt Designs. Hat is from The Couture Touch.

Snow White's Evil Queen is from The Great Villains Collection by Mattel.

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.





Small Changes

Whether it's a new hat or simply an alteration in trim, small changes can often make a big difference in the look of an ensemble.

The Walking Suit from the BFMC 2012 Atelier Collection takes a dramatic turn with a new hat from Joshard.  I added the vintage millinery floral.  The fur muff is borrowed from Muffy Roberts.  It just doesn't get much better than this.

Mattel's Holiday Hostess Barbie doll dons the chic black suit from Fashion Royalty's Suited Luxury paired with the stunning hat from D.A.E. Originals Weekend in New York set.

Fashion Royalty's Adele Makeda models the aqua satin gown from Mattel's BFMC Delphine.  I replaced the original pink floral accents with vintage millinery floral and added a touch of real mink for a soft elegant look.  OOAK jewelry set, gloves and purse (Mattel) complete the ensemble.

Blue Silk Cocktailer

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Muffy Roberts is ready for the cocktail hour in this sensational blue silk dress and matching floral hat from The Couture Touch.  Gloves, bracelet, and shoes are from Mattel.  Purse from Integrity.

Weekend Noir

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This week's Femme Fatale is a seductive Lingerie Silkstone Barbie from Mattel's BFMC on loan to Monolithic Studios to star in "Bothwell Street".  For this scene, her black crepe sheath and fur stole are from the design studio of Dressmaker Details, hat borrowed from Mattel's Cruella de Vil's "Power in Pinstripes" ensemble, purse from Madame Alexander, and jewelry from Mattel. 

Recipe for Glamour

For a vintage cocktail mixer:

Take 1 vintage reproduction Barbie doll
Add 1 vintage jacket
1 cocktail sheath
1  belt
1 pair gloves
1 purse
1 pair shoes
and a pinch of jewelry

Top with a cocktail hat......




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If you are like me, you probably have accumulated bits and pieces of vintage clothing with every intention of eventually completing an outfit.  Well why not mix some of those great vintage pieces with newer ones to create one of a kind ensembles.  Case in point, this fabulous mint Theatre Date (1963) emerald green satin jacket is layered over an early Integrity Candy doll black satin cocktail sheath.  The belt, gloves, shoes, and bracelet are all from Mattel.  The purse is from Integrity.  The OOAK necklace and earrings are from The Couture Touch.  The cocktail hat is from Dressmaker Details.  My stunning model is the vintage reproduction Barbie doll, Friday Night Date by Mattel. 

Couture Barbie

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Blush definitely becomes her.  This striking African American Silkstone Barbie looks haute so couture in Mattel's Dior inspired cocktail dress "Blush Becomes Her" from the BFMC.  The marvelous marabou feather hat is from The Couture Touch.

Barbie by Joshard

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I just adore Joshard's interpretation of a vintage bubble-cut Barbie.  She has such attitude!  Here is a blond version in Mattel's Vera Wang.

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Joshard's sultry brunette bubble is stunning in Integrity's Midnight in Monaco Veronique Perrin beaded gown.  Genuine fur drape.

Click HERE for Joshard Original's website.

Retro Chic Barbie

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Lingerie Silkstone Barbie from Mattel's BFMC looks dreamy in this vintage-inspired afternoon ensemble from Bogue's Vogues.  Throw pillows from Liz Cole/Retros.  Wall decor is actually a Christmas ornament from Hobby Lobby.  Click HERE for Bogue's Vogues Etsy shop.

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Enchanted Evening vintage reproduction Barbie wears a black and white retro-print sheath from Diane Carino of DLC Creations.  The OOAK hat is from The Couture Touch.  Gloves, jewelry, and shoes are from Mattel.  Purse from Randall Craig.  Mel Odom's miniature artwork is from Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall Collection.

Fashion Queen Barbie

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Barbie proves she's the Queen of High Fashion in this elegant suit ensemble from Integrity's FAO Exclusive Set, Final Cut Isha.  The delightful OOAK hat and matching purse are from an unknown artist, the fur stole from PD Root. Scarf, gloves, and bracelet are from Mattel.  Earrings are from Ashton Drake and the pin from Madame Alexander.  The luggage set is from Integrity.

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This is Mattel's vintage reproduction of Fashion Queen Barbie.  Isn't she stunning!  I think her molded hair gives her a sophisticated look.

The Evil Queen Makes Her Hollywood Debut



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 Snow White's Evil Queen from Mattel's Great Villains Collection makes her glamorous Hollywood debut in the liquid silver lame gown from FAO's Silver Screen Barbie.  Her restyled hair brings out her Garbo-esque features.  The rhinestone "dress clips" were made from earrings from Facets by Marcia.





Weekend Swimwear Glamour

Mattel's reproduction Picnic Set Barbie doll is fashionably chic while relaxing on the Riviera in Joshard's black and white swimsuit.  Black straw hat from Mattel's Audrey Hepburn line. Randall Craig bracelet.  Shoes and sunglasses from Mattel.

Weekend Swimwear Glamour

All this month, the weekends are reserved for swimwear glamour!

There is nothing quite like the elegance of basic black.  Trench Setter Barbie from Mattel's Silkstone Fashion Model Collection wears a classic one-piece suit accented with the hot colors of Uptown Chic Barbie's striped wrap.  Vintage flowers adorn the cartwheel style straw hat borrowed from an early Candi doll ensemble.

Happy Birthday America!

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Barbie is ready for the July 4th parade in "Roman Holiday" ensemble.  Both doll and outfit are reproductions from Mattel.

Vintage-Inspired Spring Suits for Barbie

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This classic navy silk noil suit ensemble was designed by Charles L. Mo.  I purchased this chic dressed doll from Charles a few years back at a doll show.  He was one of the featured artists in Jim Faraone's first Fashion Doll Makeovers book, and a version of this ensemble was pictured along with some other gorgeous suits.  Charles designed vintage-inspired fashions with the 1959 to mid 1960's Barbie dolls in mind. 

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A reproducton Fashion Queen Barbie doll looks "bellissima" in this yummy silk suit ensemble from Bellissima Couture.  The lucite purse is from The Couture Touch.  Gloves and bracelet from Mattel.

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The same ensemble from Bellissima Couture paired with a floral hat from Hunter-Goldblatt.  Pin from Facets by Marcia, purse from The Couture Touch, gloves and bracelet from Mattel.  Model: Muffy Roberts Silkstone Barbie doll by Mattel.


Links:   Bellissima Couture

            Facets by Marcia

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Perfect for a day of sightseeing or window shopping, this luscious pink tweed suit is from the Haute Doll Exclusive "Weekend in New York" by D.A.E. Originals.  Model:  Suite Retreat Silkstone Barbie doll (wigged).

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Links:   D.A.E. Originals

Reproduction Barbie in Randall Craig

One of my favorite Barbie reproductions (Picnic Set) in separates by Randall Craig.  Hat and purse from Mattel.  Click photo to enlarge.

1940's Style Barbie

I guess by now it's no surprise that I love the glamorous fashions of the 1940's.  In addition to the wonderful suits, daywear dresses, and tailored eveningwear, women were elegantly accessorized from head to toe with hats, gloves, furs, and fabulous jewels.  I would love to see Mattel do a 1940's series for the Silkstone BFMC that also included period hairstyles.  A few years back they did do "Great Fashions of the 20th Century", the "Hollywood Movie Star Collection", and Christian Dior's 50th Anniversary Barbie doll that featured his iconic "Bar Suit" from his New Look collection.  In the meantime, here is a look at some original fashions inspired by the Fabulous 1940's!

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This fabulous mid-forties era OOAK doll is from the design team of Hunter-Goldblatt.  They specialized in vintage-inspired designs of the 20th Century.

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In the early 60's, my Grandmother made this classic sheath for my Barbie doll.  I gave it a glamorous 1940's look with the addition of a cocktail hat and a fur draped over the shoulder.  The hat is from Ashton Drake's Gene Marshall collection.  My lovely model is Betty Draper from Mattel's Madmen Silkstone series.

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Tweed Indeed Silkstone Barbie from the BFMC gets a new hairdo to go with her circa 1947 OOAK cocktail ensemble from The Couture Touch. 

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Delphine Silkstone Barbie from the BFMC models a circa 1948 OOAK daywear ensemble from The Couture Touch.

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One of the jewels in my OOAK collection is this superb Vivette prototype fashion from D.A.E. Originals called "Autumn Stroll", circa late 1940's.  My model is an early Silkstone Lingerie Barbie doll.