Claudia Schiffer Barbie finally gets a commercial release - is the doll meeting expectations?

Back in 2017, for her 30th career anniversary and the release of her book, Mattel made an OOAK Barbie in the likeness of Claudia Schiffer, the famous supermodel from Germany. That doll recreated one of Claudia Schiffer’s iconic looks from a 1994 Ellen Von Unwerth photo shoot for Vogue Italia, wearing a metallic Versace dress. Three years later, to celebrate the model’s 50th birthday, Mattel presented two more OOAK Claudia Barbies: one wearing a Versace 1994 Atelier blue gown, and another dressed in a Balmain design similar to one worn by Schiffer in the label’s spring 2016 campaign.

Credit: The Mega Agency

Credit: The Mega Agency

Now, Mattel decided to release a commercial Barbie Claudie, recreating the cerulean pleated floor-length gown by Versace, combined with a faille taffeta bustier inspired by the signature Versace corset bodice. Per Mattel “The doll makes a bold statement, pairing Schiffer’s strength and femininity with Versace’s luxurious glamour”.

Supermodel Claudia Schiffer Barbie® Doll in Versace

Designer: Carlyle Nuera

Label: Platinum

Face Sculpt: Claudia Schiffer likeness

Body Type: Pivotal

Includes Certificate of Authenticity

Doll cannot stand alone. Doll stand included. Colours and decorations may vary. Purchase limits subject to change at the sole discretion of Mattel.

SKU#: HCB94

The Story: Claudia Schiffer chose what Barbie would wear for a doll in her honour. This is one of her all-time favourite gowns, celebrating an iconic ‘90s fashion moment. "Recreating the gown in Barbie scale was a fun challenge,” says designer Carlyle Nuera. “I studied any photo I could find and watched videos of the runway show over and over.” Strappy heels, blonde curls, and soft makeup complete the look. This doll is inspired by the 2020 design made in honour of Schiffer's 50th birthday.

Am I the only one that thinks they did a hatchet job on the new doll? The face paint does not replicate the model faithfully, even though the doll sculpt is the same used in the OOAK dolls. Of course one cannot expect a commercial doll to have the same standards as a one off doll, but still I believe for the price, ($85 in the US, at least $170 in Europe) they could have done better. The hair is also not styled very well. The gown is weird - why would anyone gather a pleated fabric at the waist, when the original design is not like this? Probably to create volume at the bottom of the dress, since the pleats are straight and not like the original. The sewing of the corset is also not that good. And those plastic shoes? For such a limited release, it is awful. There seems to be a discrepancy regarding the quantity of dolls produced: the US certificates give 5,000, the EU ones 1,000. It may refer to the specific markets but they could have just written 6,000.

All doll photos courtesy of Mattel. Claudia Schiffer photos by Ellen Von Unwerth unless otherwise stated.

Alta Moda Karolin Stone by Salvador Lopez Arriaga

During last year's Supermodel Integrity Toys convention in Chicago, the Official Integrity Toys Advanced Design competition took place and the winner was the very talented Salvador Lopez Arriaga with "Alta Moda" Karolin Stone™. Now, that creation is becoming available to everyone for purchase through the W Club (for members) and IT Direct (general public). The original design has undergone adjustments to make it fit for production while preserving its original spirit. W Club Members get a special pricing of $135.00 US versus the general public, who will be able to purchase this doll for $145.00 US. Furthermore, Club members can preorder earlier and as many dolls as they want. The link will be available soon. Deadline is 19th of September.

Update: link to preorder for the public:  http://www.integritytoys.com/shop20/alta-moda-public-pre-order-link.html

Item #82089

Alta Moda

Karolin Stone™ Dressed Doll

The NU. FACE™ Collection

2016 Design Competition Winner

Edition Size: TBD

Estimated Delivery: Spring 2018

W Club Only Retail Price: $135.00 US + Shipping and Handling

General Public Retail Price: $145.00 US + Shipping and Handling

Doll Tech Specs:

Head Sculpt: Karolin Stone™

Body: NF 3.0

Foot Sculpt: High-heeled

Skin Tone: Japan

Hair Color: Platinum Champagne Mix

Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied

Quickswitch: No 

Karolin Stone is a 12.5-inch fully articulated fashion doll with rooted hair and hand-applied eyelashes. Karolin wears a creation by design Salvador Lopez Arriaga, the winner of the 2016 Integrity Toys Design challenge. The ensemble is composed of a two-piece suit that features a structured waist length jacket, cut in an oversized houndstooth pattern and black trousers. The look is completed with an oversized bow-shaped headdress, custom-made houndstooth jewelry, spiked heels and a contrasting red purse. For adult collectors ages 15 and up only. This doll cannot stand alone; a doll stand is included.

It hink the original looks better (see below), especially regarding the cut of the jacket at the top of the sleeves and the shape of its front. I also think she needs red strong lips with this black and white style - remember Opium Ayumi? Other than that she looks great and if I was in a better financial state I'd grab her. Maybe later. I love her jewellery set, it is always great to see new designs used. Salvador should be proud. Congratulations to him!

Alain Tremblay from Integrity Toys did an interview with Salvador, in which we learned that the inspiration for this design was Salvador's mother in the 80s but updated for now. He wanted versatility with mix and match pieces. Although one would not guess from this outfit, his favourite era in fashion is the 70s with their luxurious hair and glamorous fashions. He says Olivia Newton-John rocked the era's look and that made me like him that much more. His favourite IT characters are Nu Face models like Karoline but he's beginning to shift to Fashion Royalty ladies now.

Note: Please note that the doll, clothes and accessories pictured in the photos are prototypes and as always, final production colors and textures may vary slightly. 

All photos and information contained herein is copyrighted Integrity Toys, Inc. and Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC 2017 and may not be reprinted or disseminated without express written permission. NU. Face and all other character marks followed by ™ or ® are trademarks of Integrity Toys, Inc. Chesapeake City MD USA 21915. All rights reserved. The W Club is a trademark of Intercap Merchant Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.

Doll Photography by Jayme Thornton

Layouts, Graphics and 3D renderings by Alain Tremblay, Marketing.

There's a Cindy Crawford Barbie doll and it is not for sale

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