So Yahoo! has a style magazine. I did not know - who did? Well, obviously Mattel (or more accurately their BarbieStyle instagram account), as they collaborated with them to produce a Barbie photo shoot to celebrate New York Fashion Week. Using the new Barbie bodies (curvy, petite and tall) along with the classic one, the photographer shoots six looks from designers Rick Owens, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Jeremy Scott, and Sonia Rykiel and their Spring 2016 collections. Check them out below along with the original outfits from the runways. 

Original Barbie wears a look from Rick Owens’s spring 2016 collection

Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Original Barbie dresses in Balmain Spring-Summer 2016

Photo: Monica Feudi / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Curvy Barbie wears a look from Marc Jacobs’s Spring 2016 collection - using curvy Barbie here references Beth Ditto's appearance on the Jacobs runway show

Photo: Gianni Pucci / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Tall Barbie wears a look from Sonia Rykiel’s spring 2016 collection

Photo: Kim Weston Arnold /Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Petite Barbie wears a look from Jeremy Scott’s spring 2016 collection

Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Original Barbie wears a look from Stella McCartney’s spring 2016 collection

Photo: Kim WestonArnold / Indigitalimages.com for Vogue Runway

Doll photos courtesy of Mattel/BarbieStyle/Yahoo Style

Fashion dolls come in all shapes and sizes and from all over the world - but just a while ago we had the very first coming from Romania! Luna Doll is the project of Andrei Teican, better known to fashion doll collectors as Andymy Designs, his fashion doll clothing brand. Luna is a 13" doll with an articulated hard vinyl body and she comes in two editions for now, one with a casual outfit (Emely) and one in a gown (Amelie). They have hand painted faces,rooted hair and come with matching accessories and a stand. You can shop for them here. I had the pleasure of having him answer my questions about his doll, his doll clothes and himself, so here is the interview:

FDC: First give us a little background information about you, who are you, where do you live and what were you doing before fashion dolls came into the picture?

My full name is Andrei Teican, known in the doll industry by Andymy. I live in Romania, and before the fashion dolls I was an aspiring teenager looking to work in the fashion industry. I worked as a graphic designer before finding the current job as a designer at a clothing production company in Romania.

FDC: How did you discover fashion dolls?

Since I was a little kid I loved the dolls. I asked my mother to buy me one, and Santa was kind with me that year. I always had an attraction for the small things that look like humans, and this attraction is still valid. Collecting I only started 5 years ago when browsing through the internet I discovered that there are other dolls than Barbie. SURPRISE! And I managed to buy my first doll by selling some pictures that I took.

FDC: When did you decide to start making clothes for your dolls?

After I had to drop off college, due to family problems, I had a year in which I thought: well, what do I want to do for a living. My first dream to become a fashion designer was still there, but I didn't have the budget or knowledge to make patterns and sew. At one point it clicked! “I want to make fashion for dolls, or how do you call it.” And from there the road got paved little by little. Started to learn via internet pattern, started sewing, started a small blog. This passion took a break when I started to work as a graphic designer. But I knew that I needed to follow my dream. So I took my drawings, some pictures of my poor clothing, and went to a fashion factory in my city to present what I want to do, using their leftover fabrics. And everything started. I was taken in and during 2 years I learned the process of making a garment, I understood why there is a straight grain on a fabric, why you need to fuse a product, how a pattern is build, I learned how you sew a fully lined coat and all kinds of inside work that is done in a clothing factory.

The first design I sold was 3 years ago, when I started working at the factory, and I did my first pieces. To be honest even now I can’t believe it that my designs are still selling. That means, I guess that I am doing something right. I know that a collector wants a good design, a good quality product, and I am doing my best to deliver. As a collector I understand and I want to deliver.

This is interesting. I guess I wanted to have a doll of my own, as a designer you want to evolve in the industry, become better, become greater. Make yourself known through your work. And Luna Doll is a project that started in a second. I had to go to China with work at a fashion fair. And when my boss told me this I said “ I want to make my own doll” and she approved. I sent some emails to unknown factories in China that could help me develop Luna Doll, but only one kept its interest and desire to work with me. So during my work travel to China, I had the opportunity to visit the factory that has produced my doll. And we signed the contract.

I was afraid, and I still am afraid, but I am keeping myself  positive with my dolls. I took a risk with the size of Luna Doll, but I wanted to be different, I wanted to make something that had not been done yet. And I do hope this is not a one time project, because I have big plans with this doll. 

What I can say is that I am happy that I made this step in the doll world. And I do not regret it.

Romania, is a country as all the others. We all have bullies, we all have people that support you and your work, we all have people being jealous of our work. 

The most known Romanian doll collector is probably Ada from www.papusilemele.com that is supporting me with all her love and good words of encouragement. We have a small doll community, and maybe there are more doll collectors out there that we are not aware of, or maybe they are hiding it. As I mentioned we all have bullies and there are people with closed mentality that are very judging. “You are a grown man and you play with doll… ha ha ha” 

I am not affected by these comments, I know that my work is appreciated and will be appreciated by open minded people, by collectors. My country is not a barrier. The infinitum is a barrier. 

The doll community is very supportive, especially when you win their trust by presenting a good product. They will come for more. Maybe the only obstacles that I have is regarding the deliveries. I want to maintain a good price for the deliveries, but also be sure that the product arrives at its destination. So from time to time I am sending a message to those who brought from me: “have you got the package?! Is everything OK? Do you like it?” 

Knowing that the collector is satisfied by it’s purchase, that’s my goal. And when he is not I am satisfied because I know and I can improve. 

My own website (YES!) that got officially launched in January. Yet I must mention that the promotion announcements are done via newsletters ( for those subscribed), and also through Facebook, Flickr and Instagram. 

My workplace is my inspiration, and also the internet. Usually for me the fabric speaks, and when it doesn't I use the internet for inspiration. if this is not working either, I keep the fabric in a corner and come back to it later. Usually when I get home the idea pops and the next day I have the drawing ready

It depends on the time that I have. At work I am involved in almost 15 projects, including my designs. And each and every project requires my time, so the concept is done in 30 minutes. the rest when I get the time to meet with my team. I took me one year for the first “collection” , another year for the second “collection” , another year for the third “collection”. And when I say collection I mean a few pieces here and there. 

Is it OK to say I do not have one? Because I really don’t. I love fashion generally. My style of designing, for example can change in a second so I will never have an icon.

I really really love to design for the IT dolls. FR2, Nu.face. I collect them and I LOVE them.

This is easy. My Holy Grail is: IT’s Eden – Style Mantra. I do not own her, but I love love love her. She’s absolute gorgeous. The make-up, the style, her hair. Maybe when I become a billionaire I can afford it. ( If that will ever happen.)

I have no favourite I have no least favourite. I can say that I have fabrics that are giving me and my team a hard work because of the easy unravelling. But they look so good I cannot give up on them. 

Seeing collectors taking pictures of my fashions on their dolls this is the best reward a designer can dream. And the latest reward was to have a tiny small appearance in a Romanian Fashion Magazine. That made my week.

The most difficult part is to find locally tiny accessories for the dolls. You will never find them in Romania. The best solution is to get them from China, but you need to order like tons. So having supplies for the next 10 years is not an option.

The second one is having a complex pattern, and details that only a full size garment can have. Lucky for me I am more of a minimalist in fashion, so simple lines are working just fine. I might try some more complex designs, but if they do not succeed they will never be revealed.

My designs will always be fully lined. Except when I have a good looking fabric that is not allowing it. This is an element that makes a good quality product.

My favourite outfit is the one that I will make tomorrow. 

YES! Keep on dreaming, follow that dream of yours, work hard for it and at the end of the day the satisfaction will be immense. Without sweat there is nothing. I know this because I am living it.

I think that www.andymydesigns.com has all the information about my dolls and my clothing. This interview shows a part of me that is not visible through my website. And dear Stratos I thank you so much for it. 

All photos by Andymy Designs.

The new year has begun and with it new fashion dolls are starting to appear. Some of the most anticipated dolls this year will be the articulated Silkstone dolls that were announced late last year. The first images have already appeared from three different sources: an interview in Wall Street Journal of Mary Jordan, stylist for Mattel (to read the interview google the article and read it from there as it is locked if you try to access it directly from the link), the instagram stream of another Barbie stylist and designer, Zlatan Zukanovic. and the official Barbie Collector site with a Robert Best interview. The dolls look really good and if the quality of the vinyl is the same as their non-articulated sisters, the bodies will be a hit for re-boding some of my Mattel dolls, depending on the final price of course.

In this photo we can see four different versions of the new Silkstone.

The dolls seem to have two different bust sizes - or is it just an illusion?

Tools of a doll stylist - and the new articulated Silkstone as a red head.

Zukanovic posted this doll in his Instagram feed.

A close up.

And another shot - if I get more than one, I might keep one complete.

Jeremy Scott loves Barbie. He proved it by dedicating an entire Moschino collection to her, dressing women like the famous doll, accessories included. Back then, guests at the fashion show had received a limited edition of Barbie dressed in Moschino, that had collectors all over the world drooling in anticipation of an actual commercially released version. That time came today: the doll is available through Moschino, Net-A-Porter and, through Barbie Collector later on 6:00 am PT. 

There are two versions of the doll, a Caucasian and an African-American one, and she comes with two outfits: a leather "suit" and some sporty separates. Of course she has her Moschino shopping bag and assorted accessories. She's a limited edition of 700 according to Net-A-Porter (I guess each version will have 700 dolls released).

Jeremy Scott said: "I wanted to bring all of the Moschino elements to Barbie, as I had done the reverse by bringing all of the Barbie elements to Moschino for the spring/summer 15 collection. The thing I love most about Barbie, is that she is the ultimate muse, she's worn every style and design imaginable and at the same time she's had every possible profession you can dream of."

For me, the best thing about this release is that a boy is included in the commercial that accompanies the release - and nobody bats an eyelid. I know it should not be an issue in 2015 but there are still boy-girl distinctions in toys and it''s about time it stopped being so. So kudos to Moschino and Mattel for this.

Last time I checked, the AA version was sold out at Moschino but seems to be available on Net-A-Porter. Those who missed it go for Barbie Collector. Good luck.

Photos and video courtesy of Mattel and Moschino.

A tradition that started a few years back continued again this year, with the introduction of four new OOAK (one of a kind) creations by the IT Design team, which convention guests could enter a raffle to win. There was one doll for each designer of the IT team. In addition to these four ultra rare dolls, convention guests also got to participate for the first time in raffles for chances to win their favourite complete collection of 2015.

Pretty in Pink. The cut of the dress reminds me a bit of Pale Fire Vanessa Perrin. Frothy and pink like cotton candy, quite a contrast to the serious looking Agnes. The jewellery is the same as the convention Natalia.

Having Chris design for a Color Infusion doll probably seals the deal for Victoir Roux. She was nowhere to be seen in the convention (as well as the 16" girls) so I'm guessing she is not going to be seen again except probably for some special project. This one looks gorgeous, a bit like Betty Grable or any blonde 50s film star. 

60s inspired Poppy with a gorgeous necklace. The fabric reminds me a bit of Chip's jacket from last year's Poppy collection.

The styling of the doll is pure Hollywood glamour though, miles away from the modern catwalk styling of Versace.

Note: The dolls shown are prototypes and final versions may vary slightly. All doll photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2015 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission.

Instagram is the medium of the moment for lots of celebrities and professionals alike: it's so much easier to share a photo of something you're doing or your newest creation than writing about it or staging an elaborate presentation. Especially if it can reach thousands of people in an instant. It is not surprising then that it has become the social arena of choice for fashion people. most notably stylists and models. Cindy Crawford is one of the original 90s supermodels that is active on the platform. Just the other day she posted a photo of a Barbie made to look like her:

Since there was nothing published about the doll from Mattel, I did a little on-line search and came up with the goods: the doll is an OOAK creation, It was presented to Cindy way back in 2003 at the CAAF (Children Affected By AIDS Foundation) benefit in Santa Monica, California. The doll is dressed in a Roberto Cavalli gown, the same one Cindy was wearing during the event.

I don't know what made Cindy remember the doll after all this time and post it again (in the text accompanying the instagram post she mentions loving Barbies as a child), but it sure made me wish for a series of dolls in the likeness of supermodels from that era: Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Tatjana Patitz etc. They would be the ultimate fashion dolls. One can only hope. And it doesn't have to be Mattel making them. Looking at you Integrity Toys.

Top photo courtesy of Cindy Crawford (Instagram), middle and bottom photos from Daily Mail/Wireimage

Today was the day that the Fashion Doll Awards winners were announced by Doll Observers, after a public vote was held until a few days ago. This blog was nominated in the relative category but we did not win - proud to be included in with the rest of the amazing nominees! Congratulations to all winners and nominees as well. And of course a big tank you to Doll Observers and Simon Farnsworth who organized the whole thing. Let's see who the winners are:

Winner layouts courtesy of Doll Observers.