Did you ever notice how one thing can lead to another?
Yes! Well, that’s exactly how my old Barbie got an Art gown.
In Art Gowns spirit, nothing new was purchased for this project. Barbie’s Art Gown is made from a circa 1970 Schiaparelli tie, from my stash. The print size is perfect.
It all began on a visit to The Vintage Toy Advertiser blog. Ford had done a Barbie post, and Barbie has some fab gowns.
Solo in the Spotlight & Enchanted Evening are my 2 faves. I would only change the fur stole, to a velvet stole.
Ford agreed I could do an Art Gowns/Barbie post. I’d make a gown, and he would supply photos from his collection. That was awhile ago, but once I found the Schiaparelli tie, it was a go.
That led to, who is Schiaparelli?
Elsa Schiaparelli was an Haute Couture designer. She collaborated creatively with Salvador Dali & Jean Cocteau. She was Coco Chanel’s direct competition between the 2 wars.
Elsa Schiaparelli was the first woman Fashion Designer on the cover of Time Magazine. Click on the pic of the cover to read about her insanely fascinating life, on the official site!
Both ends of the tie were lined in Schiaparelli’ embossed “shocking pink”. The colour is Schiaparelli’s inspiration & instigation. She became famous for it.
Here’s the tie! It was deconstructed, and pressed flat. Barbie was then draped in the bias cut fabric.
I used the “shocking pink” tie lining to line the tail of Barbie’s Art Gown.
I also made Barbie’s necklace, bracelet and earrings. Her shoes were lime green, so they got painted blue. Her hair was a disaster. I did a braided top knot with curly crown burst.
Here are more fab photos Ford took from Barbie’s catalogues.
Again, one thing leads to another! The gowns are all very beautiful, and no one can say they are “Fast Fashion”. “Fast Fashion” has become a major pollutant, along with its best friend plastic.
Rene Rosso got into the her best Barbie torch gown look, with “shocking pink” accents. She’d like to share her favourite version of “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”, a standard she’s been working on.
Our point is, don’t let the lust for “Fast Fashion”, be a smoke that gets in your eyes. Choose “Sustainable Fashion”!
OUTTAKES
Having an official Art Gown of her own has gone to Barbie’s head. She has decided to throw a dinner party for all of the Art Gowns.
Photos from Barbie’s Catalogue © Ford, TVTA
Art Gowns and all Art Gowns pics & stories © Resa McConaghy
Rene Rosso character © Resa McConaghy (w/ Holly Rene Hunter)
One of Ford’s posts was on California Barbie. I was impressed with the opening beauty shots, as much care had been taken with the lighting. 
Click on the above beauty shot, and go to TVTA’s Barbie category, and see all the Barbie posts.
Of course, one beauty shot leads to another!
