Found! Three 2020 Fashionistas in Philly!

Yippee! Short post here, but I HAD to share that I've finally seen some of the new 2020 Barbie Fashionistas here in Philadelphia, PA. Which ones?

1. the tall brunette wearing the mouse-print dress, pink booties and cat-framed sunglasses 

2. the tall redhead wearing the tie-dye fringe dress, gold booties, and gold earrings

3. the curvy pink-haired doll wearing the red paisley dress, white sneakers, and scrunchie bracelet

Where did I find them? South Philly Target. So the price was $10.00 each.

Anyone else find them yet?

Liberating 2005 Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen

Third doll on my Liberation List is Mattel Fashion Fever Shannen from Wave N, 2005. Why Shannen? Actually, I like her fashion - I didn't initially because I did not like the bright blue-silver colors. I thought tans or pepper reds or warmer paletted fashions would suit this tawny-toned beauty. Removed from Shannen, the outfit became more attractive. The faux leather won't likely withstand frequent changes, but I can get some photos of other dolls wearing it - more on that at the end of the post. Here is Shannen.

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, tubed

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, back of tube

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, bottom of tube

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, tube removed

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen waving

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, full profile

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, face

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, full body front

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, full body back view

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen outfit, back view

Shannen's outfit consists of a sky and cerulean blue marbled, long-sleeved top, a silver pleather quilted vest, and dark royal blue metallic pleather pants. I'm not a fan of pleather for myself, but I like it on dolls. The electric blue kill-me heeled sandals, the 3/4 silver "metal chain" belt, and the silver plastic cell phone complete her ensemble. I love that it isn't pink or purple or pastelled. Overall, I think it has an adult, club-going, electric image. (Also, not my style, but dolls can pull this look off.)

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen outfit, front view

Below, I attached one side of the 2005 Wave Fashionistas poster to a form a backdrop for this photo shoot. On that poster, to the right of Shannen's head, you'll notice a doll that probably was the prototype for Shannen. That doll has Shannen's complexion and possibly Shannen's vest and top, but that doll seems to have a different face mold. The poster doll's eyes look smaller and closer together than Shannen's and her lip color looks pinker than Shannen's peppery red lip color. I'm glad that Mattel produced Shannen with the Tango face mold and the coloring she has. I even like her hair color - and its silky texture.

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen redressed in a Fashion Avenue skirt

As did the two Christies I de-boxed before her, Shannen also has the Belly button Barbie body so her waist is a little wider than the Fashion Avenue faux suede skirt I like for her, based on its color. So I found something also from the Fashion Fever line for her to borrow: Fashion Fever Teresa's polka dot cotton halter dress.

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, redressed in a Fashion Fever Teresa dress

Mattel Fashion Fever Wave N Shannen, FF Teresa dress, back view

Shannen decided to find "something cooler and more comfortable." So she borrowed a pair of Fashionistas cut-off jean shorts and a recently issued Mattel Hello Kitty-themed sleeveless tank. Joining her are the two Fashion Fever Christies previously liberated from their tubes.

Three Mattel Fashion Fever dolls: Christie, Shannen, and Christie

Three Mattel Fashion Fever dolls: Christie, Shannen, and Christie chat

I mentioned at the start of this post that I would find a more suitable doll to wear Shannen's original fashion. Here is my choice: 2007 Jazz Baby Cabaret Barbie aka Maud. She's waving the cell phone in these two photos. I like how the bright, metallic cool colors brighten and highlight Maud's pale complexion. I like how her shorter hair and darker, Goth-like makeup match the modern vibe of this fashion.

Jazz Baby Cabaret Dancer Barbie from 2007

Jazz Baby Cabaret Dancer Barbie from 2007 at a different angle

So is Shannen a keeper? Yes, she is. I might even find an articulated body for her. Any suggestions on which Made to Move body or WWE body would suit? Do you think Maud wears Shannen's outfit better?

Fashions by Shasarignis are Here!

Mattel BMR1959 Barbie wears an original Shasarignis tank top.

Shasarignis generously sent me some of her lovely doll fashions. Newcomer BMR1959 Barbie wears a cool tank top from that doll fashion set. Please note the exclusive Barbie graphic shows Barbie and three of her Fashionistas friends PRINTED on the tank top. (Pause to squeal in excitement.) Barbie is pleased that she's modelling this particularly unique, one-of-a-kind fashion. "No one will have the same top as me," she told me. 

I will be showing more of these fashions on my dolls and action figures. I'm waiting for the dust to settle because there's fussing about who should wear what, etc.The oversized pet carrier Barbie sits on was found in the Toy department of Big Lots! It held a "mini" stuffed rabbit that I am reserving for a child's room. The pet carrier will hold an over-sized doll dog. Dog-to-be-determined later.

Thanks, Shasarignis! Does anyone reading this post have Shasarignis fashions they'd like to share? Include the url to your dolls wearing those fashions, and I will add the link in my follow-up post.

Discovering BTS Via Mattel's BTS Idol Dolls, Part 2

Alert: Mattel BTS J-Hope doll appearing to be "nude" is NOT nude. He has flesh-colored underpants molded on. My regular readers won't be triggered by "doll nudity," but for any new visitors offended by undressed dolls - who are anatomically abstract - you might want to skip this post.

For this post, I thought I'd show the Mattel BTS members with other dolls and action figures in my collection. Seeing them among familiar dolls and action figures can help you decide whether you'd like to purchase them. Or confirm that, no, they really aren't your taste.

Mattel BTS Jimin surrounded by 1:6 dolls and action figures

Different angle of BTS Jimin and new friends

Mattel BTS Jimin and mature guys

Mattel BTS Jimin with other dolls and action figures

Mattel BTS Jimin and Takara Tom dolls

Mattel BTS Jimin and J-Hope dolls. Yes, the heads are a little big.

Mattel BTS J-Hope shows his six-pack (abs)

Mattel BTS J-Hope torso reveal front

Mattel BTS J-Hope torso reveal back

Uh-oh, Mattel BTS J-Hope "undressed" 

 

 

 

Mattel BTS J-Hope molded on underpants

Mattel BTS J-Hope in A-line Ken pants - yes, they are a little big for him  

Mattel BTS J-Hope in current Original Fashionistas outfit  - also a little baggy.

 

 

Mattel BTS J-Hope in current Original Fashionistas outfit, back view

 

Mattel Original Ken Fashionistas tries on BTS outfit - jacket not wide enough

 

Mattel Original Ken Fashionistas tries on BTS outfit - back view

Mattel Slim Ken, Vivid Imaginations The Wanted Tom, Mattel Mystery Squad Barbie, and Mattel BTS J-Hope dolls

Mattel Mystery Squad Barbie, Mattel BTS J-Hope, Mattel Original Ken Fashionista, Malaville Alexa, and Mattel BMR1959 dolls

So there I have shown 2 of the BTS members among different dolls and action figures. They can wear some Ken fashions and some Vivid Imaginations' fashions (the last 2 photos with J-Hope show him borrowing The Wanted Max's hoodie and pants) although the clothes are a little big for them. I'm going to go through my play scale fashions for better fits. Offhand, I think Takara Ken/Jeff fashions might work and some articulated Ken's clothes (The Young Sweethearts' Michael, Harley Davidson Kens, and similar rangy-built Kens) might also suit.

Any clothes suggestions welcome for these guys. Has anyone tried Justin Bieber fashions on them?

Mattel BTS Worldwide Handsome in the House! Hello Jin!

Mattel BTS Jin in Idol fashion

The other day, I called and found a Five Below store that had BTS Jin in stock for $5.00. They also had a few V dolls on hand.

Columbus Commons

2250 S Columbus Blvd

Philadelphia, PA 19148

 

Finding Six of the Seven Mattel BTS Idol Dolls

Mattel BTS Suga, RM, and J-Hope from left to right

Mattel BTS Jimin, Jung Kook, and V from left to right

Since this post is only a doll locator one, I'm entering it separately from my mini series "Discovering BTS Via Mattel's BTS Idol Dolls" posts. Below are the specific stores where I found the BTS Idol dolls.

J-Hope, RM, and Suga $5.00 each, Five Below

1529 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19102

 

Jimin and Jung Kook $5.00 each, Five Below
2200 Wheatsheaf Lane

Suite E6

Philadelphia, PA 19137

V $13.98 (sale price) Target
2701 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19134-5505 

I am looking to get Jin next. He would complete my BTS Idol collection. Also, there is a Prestige collection, where the members wear their fashions from the S version concept photos for the Love Yourself: Answer album. Prestige Jin has silver loafers while Prestige J-Hope has silver-studded black slip-ons. Sigh. I'd LOVE some of the fashions and footwear from that line, but I don't know if I'm willing to pay $49.99 each. Shrug. We'll see. Maybe Mattel will produce a third line of these dolls and then reduce the costs? Then again the Prestige line looks especially glamorous ....

Discovering BTS Via Mattel's BTS Idol Dolls, Part 1

Mattel BTS dolls greeted by some East Philly A.R.M.Y.

When I first saw the BTS dolls, I thought, "Not for me." I'm on the shady side of fifty. I don't know much about rap or hip hop except that I like Tupac Shakur's "California Love."  I don't collect Pullip dolls although I do have - or had - one Sharp doll by Sonokong. Most significantly, I know zilch about the Korean language. So I'm not a likely buyer for dolls based on a renown K-pop group. Or am I?

Fast forward a few months. I read on one of my doll-related Facebook  groups that Five Below is carrying the BTS dolls for $5.00 each. New Asian male faces in play scale plus budget price? I check a My Froggy Stuff video. Hmmm ... interesting. I check two re-dressing videos - one re-dressing BTS dolls V and Jungkook and another re-dressing ALL of the BTS members. Wonder what they sound like? So I listen to and watch the videos "On" and "Idol." Hey, they're GOOD. I mean, I love the choreography and the strong beats. Next thing, I'm "just glancing" at the guys in various interviews. It doesn't hit me until I'm watching their 7 year anniversary party, but I'm smitten. BTS is adorable. 

So am I hauling dolls, action figures, cat, two turtles and self to South Korea?

Pause to consider. Nooooo ... I mean my family is here. I'm only getting on an airplane when the ground around me is ensconced in flames. I don't speak or understand the Korean language. I love my creature comforts. "Smitten" over 50 is not the same as "smitten" at say 16 or 20. Senior smitten means I'm gonna maybe buy some DVDs and/or create a YouTube playlist. I'm not attending any concerts - pause in horror at the idea of doing so even BEFORE the present Coronavirus nightmare - or vying with younger fans or about to become an - ahem - A.R.M.Y. member. I will feel happy to have learned about them, long-distance fond of them, and so going to get the other BTS dolls. C’est tout.

For Part 2 of this blog topic, I'll debox the BTS dolls I have and compare them with other dolls and action figures I have. Usually, I find dolls of real people and that's that. I like the new faces. This has to be the first time getting a doll series sparked interest in a musical group for me. Anyone else become a BTS fan - or fan of other artists - after a doll purchase?