A tribute to Barbie Doll who turned 53 on March 9
Funfare’s “other beauty expert” Celso de Guzman Caparas collects not Barbie Dolls but Celebrity Dolls. Don’t look now, but during auctions, he bids for such dolls. Included in his prized collection is a Margie Moran Doll.
Here’s a gallery of Celebrity Dolls that Celso would love to bring home:
The Princess Diana (Wedding) Doll — A numbered Collector’s Edition Doll designed by Mascot Custom Character Products, Inc. based in Canada, it was released in 1998. (Designed by David and Elizabeth Emmanuel, the original wedding gown was made of six different fabrics including 25 yards of ivory silk taffeta, 100 yards of tulle crinoline and antique lace. It has a 25-foot train and 150 yards of netting were used for the veil. Lady Diana Spencer, dubbed as “The People’s Princess,” wore it on her wedding to Prince Charles on July 19, 1981 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.)
The James Dean Doll — It was recreated in realistic features and details of the legendary actor, with an unflinching look and rebel attitude; he’s dressed in his signature red windbreaker, white T-shirt, denim pants, released under the Timeless Treasures Collection on Jan. 1, 2001.
The Elvis Presley Doll – It captures the image of The King of Rock ‘n Roll, released on Jan. 1, 1997.
The Farrah Fawcett Doll — Released under the Black Edition on June 16, 2011, it is in red one-piece swimsuit, reminiscent of her famous 1976 poster, a record-breaker that sold 12 million copies.
The Elizabeth Taylor Doll — It’s dressed in a semi-sheer sleeveless chiffon purple gown that complements her luminous and distinctive violet eyes, released on Jan. 1, 2000.
The Frank Sinatra Doll — It shows Ole Blue Eyes in his signature 1940’s light tan black plaid jacket tailored with two patch pockets, mock breast pocket and floppy bow tie, released on Jan. 1, 1999.
The Grace Kelly (Wedding) Doll — Designed by Robert Best and released under the Pink Label Edition on Aug. 11, 2011. (The original gown has a rounded collar, full skirt of ivory peau de soie [Duchess satin] and a fitted bodice made from Brussels rose point lace embroidered with seed pearls. The lace was over a century old and had flower designs on it. Twenty-five yards of silk taffeta and 100 yards of silk net were used in the construction of the dress. Underneath, the petticoats have tiny blue satin bows. The veil, made of tulle, measured 90 yards. It was designed by two-time Academy Awards winner for Best Costume Design Helen Rose, who had dressed Kelly in her first two films, High Society and The Swan [both in 1956] and was a wedding gift from MGM Studios. Kelly wore it at her wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco.)
The Cher Doll — It was inspired by one of her 1980’s costumes, wearing a Bob Mackie original: A black studded faux leather jacket, glittery bodysuit and above-the-knee boots, released under the Black Edition on June 1, 2007.
The Barbra Streisand Doll — Wearing an iconic ensemble which Barbra herself designed and which she wore in one of her performances at Hollywood Coconut Grove in 1963, the doll was released on Nov. 1, 2009 under the Pink Label Edition.
The Marilyn Monroe Doll — It wears a pleated golden gown inspired by the one created for her by costume designer William Travilla. The debut doll in the Blonde Ambition Collection was designed by Sharon Zuckerman, released on March 5, 2009.
The Diana Ross Doll — It’s wearing a Bob Mackie designer gown accentuated with beaded cuffs and wide beaded belt, copied from one of her 1970’s gowns, released under the Collector Edition on Dec. 1, 20
The Carol Burnett Doll — In an elaborate replica of the original costume by Bob Mackie — a velvety green gown made of drapes accentuated with a curtain rod — it was inspired by one of The Carol Burnett Show’s most memorable sketches, Went with the Wind, released under the Pink Label Edition on Feb. 26, 2009. The doll was designed by Sharon Zuckerman.
The Lucille Ball — Desi Arnaz Dolls — They are recreation of their roles in The Diet (Episode 4, Season 1) of their black-and-white TV series I Love Lucy. Lucille Ball as Lucille Esmeralda “Lucy” McGillicuddy Ricardo is stunning in a shimmering green gown with matching green handbag, green shoes and green feathers as headpiece. Desi Arnaz as Enrique Alberto “Ricky” Ricardo is equally handsome in his tux and top hat, released on Feb. 1, 2011 under the Pink Label Edition. This set of dolls is the last of the 25 I Love Lucy dolls released since 1998.
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