2011 Barbie Convention: SIS Party and Basics

Spring Break 1961 Barbie and Ken Giftset souvenir dolls

Note:  All photographs herein are courtesy of Ibrahim Ismail

The 2011 Barbie Convention souvenir dolls, African American Spring Break 1961 Barbie and Ken Giftset, were created by designers and artists at Mattel under the creative direction of Matt Sutton and Matt Trujillo.  Matt and Matt autographed the box. 

This is a new face for AA Ken.  Is he working that processed hair, or what?

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Ibrahim Ismail (whose lovely one-of-a-kind Chandra was featured in a previous post), shared additional highlights of the 2011 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention.  His recap focuses on the So In Style (SIS) Party and the Barbie Basics Collection 3.0. 

Here's what Ismail shared:

SIS Party:

The SIS Party was the best Breakout event at the Barbie Convention this year.  Audra and I put the goody bags together the previous night. We were prepared for The Party!  We set the room up with Cynthia and Stephanie's support as a crowd gathered outside.

I went out a couple of times and teased them about running a little late and the party being cancelled but no one believed me.

At 10:30 pm we opened the doors and I let members in, making sure their name was on the guest list that Kimberley had sent us. This was THE event and we were not going to allow anyone in who was not supposed to be there.

After everyone had been seated, Audra introduced our very special guest speakers:  Katie Phillips and Lauren Doucette from Mattel.

They talked about the new SIS line, and introduced Stephen Sumner as the new designer. We were given a brief history of Stephen's background and his work before he came to Mattel.

We were then introduced to the 2012 line. Although the pictures shown were small, we got a good idea about the line and what is to come.

The one big news story that was greeted with cheers was the introduction of a new character, a Hispanic friend called Marissa.

Then the rumors that had been circulating on the net were laid to rest and the room went quiet as we were informed that Chandra would be taking a sabbatical during 2012. She will not be making an appearance.

There was hush and then the sobbing started. All around the room, not a dry eye in sight. In fact while some chose to sob silently, others found comfort in the arms of fellow SIS friends.

One poor collector who shall remain nameless was wailing loudly whilst beating her chest, reminiscent of a grieving widow from a village in ......................... (please add a third world country of your choice).

She started pulling her hair out and screaming loudly. Audra and I had to restrain her while Katie and Lauren sedated her and she fell on the floor with a loud THUD!

I think if Katie and Lauren had not been in the room, we would have been dealing with mass suicide.

As the news sank in and people tried to compose themselves, we carried on the best way we could.

We hope to be able to share some pictures and names of the range when we are able to but rest assured you will not be disappointed. Marissa and the rest of the SIS team will be flying off the shelves in 2012.

Barbie Basics 3.0

Barbie Basics 3.0

Once in a while Mattel strikes gold and they recognize its value. At other times they strike gold and they mistake it for copper and let it go. This is one of those stories.

When the playline dolls had a makeover, their faces flattened, their heads became bigger and their bodies more rigid (except the Fashionistas).

One of a kind (OOAK) makeover artists could no longer buy cheap beach dolls and sell them for several hundred dollars after working their magic on them. There was a need for an affordable doll which could be customized.

Enter Barbie Basics and their infamous tag line:  Customize, personalize, play.

We finally got a range of fabulous dolls in a wonderful variety of face molds, skin tones and hair colour. OOAK artists everywhere went into overdrive.  Doll collectors too loved the range which was the right price and wonderful to redress.

Add to that a set of beautiful accessories and we are in collector heaven. The price was good too although I thought $10 each would have been better.

But our excitement is to be short lived.

So the new line was unveiled at the Mattel BFC Event and we were introduced to the six new dolls -- the Swimsuit Series. These dolls carry on the wonderful work done previously on the hair and face with two accessory packs to die for.

AA doll from the final Barbie Basics Collection

There are five Caucasian and  one AA doll. The AA doll looks like Chandra but with a slightly lighter skin tone.  (See a slideshow of the Basics including two additional dolls used to model the two accessory packs here.)

So as I admire the new set, I am given the news any collector dreads hearing....... this is the final Basics Collection ever.

I start to weep and sob, but am unable to control my emotions.  I start screaming and wailing, beating my chest reminiscent of a widow......

I found myself being restrained and felt a sharp prick in my arm. Suddenly the room went dark as I fell on the floor with a big THUD!

I think the line is much needed. The price point and diverse range make it so collectible.

Maybe too many dolls were produced too quickly and the designers have burnt out, but they could have reduced the numbers and kept the collection as four or six dolls every six months or so.

I have been reliably informed it's not the sales figures but the fact that the dolls have been in production for three years and they needed to make room for something new.

But those "Happy Holidays" are still going. They first came into production when Queen Victoria was reigning. The vintage reproduction dolls are still going. That started around the same time.

I think Mattel has not been honest with us OR they have not realized what they are letting go.

I was told the Basics are making way for something better. Until I see it, I won't believe it. I finish with a heavy heart, tears in my eyes, and one message about the range........... If it isn't broken, don't fix it!

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Thanks again, Ibrahim, for sharing this delightfully candid convention recap and wonderful images.

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OOAK Chandra Centrepiece @ 2011 Barbie Convention

OOAK Chandra CentrePiece by Ibrahim Ismail of England

(All images courtesy of Ibrahim Ismail--click to enlarge in a new window)

I had the pleasure of viewing images taken by Ibrahim Ismail of England at last week's 2011 Barbie Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Ibrahim is one of the artists who donated dolls to be used for centrepieces for the Saturday night banquet and for a lucky table guest to win.  The banquet theme was "The Ultimate Couple."

I was blown away by Ibrahim's OOAK Chandra CentrePiece doll and asked if he would allow me to feature her here.  He graciously agreed, provided additional information about the banquet, and also shared his inspiration behind the doll's customization.

Full-length image of OOAK Chandra CentrePiece by Ibrahim Ismail

Ibrahim’s Inspiration:

As I was a table host, it has been a longstanding tradition that they give out dolls and I try [to] do a version of a vintage Barbie outfit if I can.

In the past I did a simple Enchanted Evening in leopard print and in 2005 I gave out a blue version of  Solo in the Spotlight. I was playing with that idea and decided to make Solo in the Spotlight 2011.

This was my prototype which I made and to give her an “African” feel, I gave her a turban. That is one thing I miss seeing back home as before, most Black African ladies would wear turbans in Zanzibar when we attended weddings and celebrations.

With the current climate of Islamophobia, many African women have taken to wear a Hijab to make a stand and although they look glamorous, that African identity is being lost as they take a religious stand.

I wanted to recreate that African feel with my Solo in the Spotlight 2011.

Indeed he did!

Ibrahim added:

The Convention designed the rest of the table centre and they also made several Kens (the Basics Demin blonde, brunette and AA) to go with the dolls that were not sent in as couples.  [Chandra] was a single doll so they provided a Ken doll.   I also donated a Teresa basic doll in a very Indian outfit which was placed with a brunette Ken.

Ibrahim's lovely Chandra was paired with customized Ken, Model 17 from the Barbie Basics Collection 002. They indeed are a lovely couple, but Chandra is definitely the center of attraction.

Stay tuned for more 2011 Barbie Convention information and images courtesy of Ibrahim Ismail.

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700+ Pictures from 2011 Barbie Convention

Barbie enthusiast, Effel Harper, attended last week's 2011 Barbie Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  She shared the link to the wonderful photos she took of dolls, people, and scenery and has allowed me to share the link with you.

Enjoy!

Thanks again, Effel

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