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Showing posts with label Robert Best. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Best. Show all posts

Mattel's Alexandra Posen doll wearing Robert Best's "In the Pink" gown








I guess it all began with Barbie. After all, she's been the most popular doll in anyone's history (or just perhaps in mine). Mattel has come up with an interesting line of collectibles -- from its celebrity line to its Silkstone series. Among those that have captured my interest are the creations of Robert Best, a young genius in doll fashion. In my opinion, his is one of the most elegant choices of color and material for Barbie. Here, we see his "In The Pink" gown. It is a voluminous evening ensemble that comes with purse, stockings, shawl and a multi-layered "very" soft tulle gown in the palest of pinks. It is embellished with Swarovski crystals in clear and pink that gives it a very rich and luxurious look. The doll is Mattel's Alexandra Posen which I have retouched to soften its snobbish features. I was able to get this doll nude in ebay from a seller named "ecamarab" (one of the kindest and most professional sellers I've encountered). I was attracted to the Posen doll but was not able to get it earlier as it came in a set with its partner Zac Posen and now is very expensive (if you google him up his doll version kinda captures his look but not faithful to his features really). Luckily it was being sold in ebay separately (nude doll only). The Alexandra Posen doll was supposed to look like his sister. When I researched what she really looked like, the doll didn't look the least like her. Nevertheless, this doll has the "model muse" body mold which follows the frame and pose of today's Supermodels. She doesn't have the "hand on hip" but straight arms, elegantly stretched with hands and fingers which add to its sophistication. I like the mold of this body as it has less of the usual Barbie frame we all know. She is rooted with  rich red hair and a pout that is reminiscent of those models in high-end fashion. Notice too the cheekbones which are very un-Barbie like.  

What I like about this doll too is that its original features (retouched lips and eyes -- argh very hard on a small doll) which was soft. I am not much of a follower of heavily made up dolls. Femininity is always best with beautiful soft make-up. 

I hope you enjoy the portraits. It's just one of the few dolls of Mattel I've kept. = ) 

Fashion Royalty: Agness Von Weiss - Dressing The Part

Fashion Royalty, unlike the fashion dolls I have written about in previous posts, is a series of 12" fashion dolls. Jason Wu, a very talented designer, has created a coveted doll collection that, for six running years, has never failed to capture the fashion doll collector's enthusiasm and fantasy. All dolls of the many FR collections are highly desired collectibles, with their prices rising immediately after their release. The quality of the dolls and their outfits, their original design and style, makes them worthy of any fashion doll enthusiast's attention.



Agnes Von Weiss is a character created by Jason Wu for special event dolls. However, the Agnes presented here was an FR W Club exclusive for Fall 2006. A limited edition of 750 dolls, this is one of the most coveted dolls in the FR collection today.
The doll was presented in a special box, with the Hi Fi Theme ribbon. This Agnes is blond, while the FR Convention Agnes was a redhead and the FAO Agnes was raven haired. She has the Modern Pompadour taller articulated body.



The doll comes with a versatile ensemble. It includes a black embroidered bodysuit with an opening under the breasts,, two black skirts from the same fabric as the bodysuit (a full skirt with a tulle petticoat and a pencil skirt lined in burgundy silk,), a burgundy sash, short black gloves, a pair of shoes (fabric with plastic soles) in black with burgundy insteps, a black bag from the same fabric as the outfit, and a set of jewellery with red crystals (a pair of earrings and a bracelet).



Included in the box was a Christmas ornament, consisting of a small faceted silver ball like a disco ball in miniature, tied with a black ribbon. In its place I would have preferred a second pair of shoes - a pair of simple black pumps. The lovely slingbacks are difficult to stay in place and can easily fall off. No complaints about the rest of the outfit, it is gorgeous. The black on black embroidery makes it very elegant and stylish. The jewellery is spectacular (although a ring could have been included here).


Fashion is Barbie Happy Go Lightly by Robert Best

And how about the doll itself? Agnes has a very strong personality. I find her extremely beautiful and elegant, in a sombre and demure fashion very much in the style of Lisa_Fonssagrives, the famous model wife of photographer Irving Penn. She also reminds me a lot of Nicole Kidman. She is not a face that will appeal to everyone, far from it. But that makes her even more special. Her face screening is great, with a real expression and not the classic vacant stare of many dolls. Her hairdo is impeccable, showing off her lovely face.
I do not know how versatile she can be, but I did photograph her with other outfits. Here she is wearing the FR Guaranteed Chic outfit from the Modern Pompadour Collection, 2006:



And here she is wearing the dress and shoes from Barbie Fashion Model Collection's Happy-Go-Lightly outfit by Robert Best.



This outfit is a mixed bag: silk shirt is by FR Social Call set, skirt is by Barbie



The lovely Mies Van De Rohe Barcelona chair imitation is the FR Luxury Decor Furniture Set High Definition Black Suede Couch from the Graphic Flirtation Collection of 2005.