Fashion Dolls 101

To ring in the New Year with Barbie , I decided to take a trip down memory lane with the plastic princess and look at the Barbie dolls that most capture a New Year 's theme from the past decade. Continue reading at:  Happy New Year, Barbie! A look at New Year-themed Barbies from the past decade (slideshow) - Nashville doll collecting Examiner

2 Target released their exclusive Halloween doll, the Halloween Star Barbie doll in her Barbie pink box in 2012. Wearing a whimsical little kitty cat outfit, the cute doll has kitty cat ears, a black stripe in her long blonde hair, a painted nose and whiskers as well as a white fur ruff around her neck. More at: 2012 Target Halloween Star Barbie doll is the 'cat's meow' - National Barbie Collecting Examiner

How do you successfully break into the “doll category” and compete against beloved global brands like Barbie, Monster High and Disney Fairies? Moreover, how do you build and expand your brand? The Beatrix Girls is a rare but apt example of a successful new player in the market that’s been able to establish a solid fanbase worldwide and expand its product line by launching a licensing program in multiple categories including apparel, accessories, bedding, stationary, footwear and more. The concept behind this line of collectible pop-star dolls was conceived and brought to the market by Sherry Gunther, a two time Emmy Award winning producer and studio executive with an unparalleled track record of over two decades of experience producing smash hits such as The Simpsons, Rugrats, and Family Guy.  When developing the The Beatrix Girls, Sherry enlisted the help of leading animators and doll developers to re-imagine the look of dolls.  The result, a more angula...

Easter Barbie dolls - past and present: a series on Easter Barbies The first time Barbie officially celebrated Easter was in 1959 when Mattel issued the vintage Barbie Easter Parade outfit which featured a black coat over a colorful print sheath dress. The following year, Mattel continued to make the dress without the coat. The next time an Easter-themed Barbie doll appeared was not until 1993 when Mattel made the Easter Fun Barbie doll . Barbie wore a white dress with a colorful Easter egg print and came with stickers to decorate eggs inside the box. Article at: Easter Barbie dolls - past and present: a series on Easter Barbies - Nashville doll collecting Examiner

Easter Barbie dolls from 1993 to 1999 (with slideshow of Easter Barbies) This article is Part II in a series on Easter Barbie dolls - past and present. The list is of Easter Barbie dolls below sold from 1993 to 1999 and is made up of dolls which were predominantly available in grocery stores and convenience stores. As reported in Easter Barbie dolls - past and present, although the Easter Parade Barbie doll ensemble from 1959 was the first Easter-themed Barbie product, the first Easter Barbie doll, Easter Fun came out in 1993. Continued: Easter Barbie dolls from 1993 to 1999 (with slideshow of Easter Barbies) - Nashville doll collecting Examiner

Easter Barbie dolls from 2000 to present (with slideshow of Easter Barbies) Starting in 2001 with the Flower Mania Barbie , Mattel appears to have had a hard time committing to the Easter theme. From that point on, some years Mattel would produce an Easter Barbie, and some years only a spring-themed doll. I am including just the Easter Barbie dolls in this article. This is part three of Easter Easter Barbie dolls - past and present: a series on Easter Barbies and follows Easter Barbie dolls from 1993 to 1999 . Read more: Easter Barbie dolls from 2000 to present (with slideshow of Easter Barbies) - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner

Happy Easter from the Moxie Teenz dolls The Easter bunny may have been delayed by the Polar Vortex, making Easter arrive later than usual in 2014, but the Moxie Teenz dolls are already ready. Melrose , Arizona, Moxie Liv and Gavin are dressed in their Easter clothes with a couple of baskets ready for the community Easter egg hunt. Read more: Happy Easter from the Moxie Teenz dolls - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner

 If you are in the mood for some festive displays for St. Patrick's Day, you are in the right place! Here are a variety of Irish cuties to help you celebrate the day, because you know... everyone is Irish on Saint Patrick's Day! Liv it up for St. Patrick's Day The Liv line of dolls from Spinmaster may have been discontinued, but that has not stopped these lovely lasses from being popular collectibles as well as great for holiday displays. Looking like lively little leprechauns, Liv dolls Katie, Sophie and... Continue Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Moxie Teenz dolls Faith and begorrah but 'tis the season when the wee people come out of hiding to put on their green outfits and celebrate St. Patrick's Day, leprechaun style! The Moxie Teens dolls have transformed into leprechauns for... Continue    Happy St. Patrick's Day from Moxie Teenz Leigh (Photos) As reported in Moxie Teenz dolls worth...

St. Patrick's Day doll displays - a variety of Irish dolls for Saint Patrick's day (with slideshow) St. Patrick's Day is the time we celebrate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Although the day has come to be celebrated with parades and beer, Ireland's history and the story of Saint Patrick are much richer than that. This article will take a look at a few dolls which pay tribute to Ireland and Saint Patrick's Day. Continued: St. Patrick's Day doll displays - a variety of Irish dolls for Saint Patrick's day (with slideshow) - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner

Gene, Tyler, Madra & Hayley celebrate the wearing o' the green - St. Patrick's Day doll display Sometimes dolls take on a life of their own and insist on being photographed for special occasions. That's what happened when Gene , Madra and Tyler got together with a few of their friends and started clowning around in their St. Patrick's Day outfits to celebrate the wearing 'o the green.  Article at: Gene, Tyler, Madra & Hayley celebrate the wearing o' the green - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner

Happy 55th birthday, Barbie! I knew you when you were just a teenage fashion model and I was a nine-year-old girl. That's when I got my first Barbie doll, and I was so excited! She was the favorite toy of my childhood and preteens, and when she disappeared from the home place after my mother died, I mourned her like an old friend. She wasn't the elusive original #1 Barbie doll, but she was a beautiful blonde #4 Barbie, soon followed by Skipper, Ken, homely Midge as well as cousing Francie, Todd, Tutti and a host of other dolls. Barbie doll has been the subject of praise, an object of ridicule, and the center of controversy , but no matter how many issues adults try to blame on Barbie , most little girls still love her. Now the pink plastic princess, who was first sold in 1959, is turning 55! It seems like we just celebrated her 50th birthday , but that was back in 2009. Now the pink plastic princess has added another half decade. Click on this link to find out ...

Sports Illustrated Barbie Doll #Unapologetic 2014 Sports Illustrated Barbie doll--a review  Here she is--the doll that started it all! The Barbie doll that has caused all the controversy is now out in stores -- Target stores to be exact. Sports Illustrated Barbie Doll-- back of box It may be cold outside but the new 2014 Sports Illustrated Barbie doll is heating things up! The controversial and #unapologetic SI Barbie doll is a "Black Label" Barbie doll intended for adult collectors and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Find out more at:  #Unapologetic 2014 Sports Illustrated Barbie doll--a review - National Barbie Collecting Examiner Also see:  Does Barbie cause unrealistic body expectations? New SI Barbies fuel controversy It was announced this week that Barbie doll will appear in the upcoming Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. The ...

  Happy St. Patrick's Day from Moxie Teenz Leigh (Photos)  Leigh is definitely the Irish lass in the Moxie Teenz line with her red hair, light green eyes, and pale skin tone. The lovely Leigh doll comes wearing a gold formal dress with gold earrings and necklace and matching gold boots. She has added some St. Patrick's Day accessories to her golden ensemble in honor of the Irish holiday. Continued at: Happy St. Patrick's Day from Moxie Teenz Leigh (Photos) - Nashville Doll Collecting Examiner

OK, I'll admit it, Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" is NOT about dolls! Well, it sort of is. It is a television series that aired on FOX called "Dollhouse" and it is about beautiful (and handsome) dolls... only that is a nickname for actives, and, well it gets complicated! "Dollhouse" is an addictive sci-fi, thriller that sucks the viewer in with action, fantasy, and beautiful actors in season one, hinting at something deeper which is revealed in season two. Eliza Dushku starred in the series which is now out on DVD, and she is definitely a doll. I thought I would share the "Dollhouse" DVD season 1 and 2 review here, just for fun! You have to admit--it sort of fits. This is a blog about dolls, after all! To find out more, visit Joss Whedon's 'Dollhouse' Seasons 1 and 2-- a Review

Sanrio Launches New Products at Toy Fair 2014   Hello Kitty mini doll sets by Blip Toys (above) are among the new product launches to be unveiled at this year's Toy Fair. Sanrio, Inc., the global lifestyle brand best known for pop icon, Hello Kitty , has an exciting lineup of new licensed product set to launch this year, which will be available for preview at Toy Fair 2014. Introducing product from both new and expanded partnerships, Sanrio continues to develop and build on relationships in a variety of categories in order to delight their broad spectrum of fans. And as 2014 marks Hello Kitty’s 40 th anniversary, these top licensees are thrilled to help celebrate the incredible success of the beloved pop icon with this year’s brand new launches: Hello Kitty Dolls by BLIP – Suite #4A2 – Terrace Level: Expanding on the popular collection of full-sized dress-up Hello Kitty dolls that charmed young fans in 2013, BLIP will launch a new coll...

If you love sweet dolls in pink and red for Valentine's Day, you have come to the right place. Here you will find articles with lots of photos of a variety of your favorite dolls dressed up in red hearts, white lace and pink flowers: Barbie doll, Chelsea, Moxie Teenz, Hello Kitty, Cabbage Patch Kids, LalaLoopsy and more! So have fun reading these timely doll collectors articles and Have a Happy Valentine's Day 2014! Valentine's Day Dolls When February rolls around each year, one of the sure signs that Valentine's Day is approaching is the dolls that begin to pop up in grocery stores, toy stores... Happy Valentine's Day from the Moxie Teenz dolls The Moxie Teenz girls are putting on the pink for Valentine's Day! These trendy fashion dolls have been pulling everything pink out of their closets in honor of Valentine's Day, and even Gavin has found a... Continue   ...

The 2014 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is coming out, but the big news has not been the models, but the doll! In an arrangement between Mattel and the sports magazine, the Sports Illustrated Barbie doll is getting her own cover, and it is making waves. Is "the doll that started it all" all wet? The controversial move is once again raising a hue and cry from all the activists who think Barbie dolls and swimsuit models create " unrealistic body expectations " in little girls. This is the same minority who thinks we need a fatter Disney princess and more plus-size models. But both Mattel and SI have chosen to remain unapologetic. In fact, they have picked the hashtag #Unapologetic to promote the issue and the doll. I looked at the controversy from both the doll collecting perspective and the health perspective. You can read my thoughts at: Barbie's 'Unapologetic' Sports Illustrated cover causes controversy - National Barbie Collecting Ex...

2014 Valentine's Day Chelsea dolls by Mattel Valentine's Day is less than a week away, and Barbie's sister Chelsea is all dressed up! Barbie's sister Chelsea 2014 Valentine's Day dolls at Target For fans of Barbie doll and her extensive Mattel family, there is good news of the very cute variety. The shelves in the Valentine's Day section of Target stores are loaded with dolls in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps the cutest are the little Valentine Chelsea dolls . Read more: Barbie's sister Chelsea 2014 Valentine's Day dolls at Target - National Barbie Collecting Examiner Also see: Barbie Valentine's Day 2014 Kelly Chelsea Madison Cupid Doll Set of 3