Mattel Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with Barbie Doll

This Fall, Mattel is slated to release a Barbie doll to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The doll will be designed by artistic director Judith Jamison and is said to be based on the classic Ailey performance piece, 'Revelations'.

Modern dance enthusiasts will assure fabulous sales of this doll. I can already picture a doll based on the same mold as Princess of South Africa Barbie in that awesome white dress with the umbrella. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

Principal dancer Renee Robinson is an awesome and performances the piece with brilliance but Judith Jamison will always be THE dancer that represents Alvin Ailey and his dreams. The Company used to perform in South Florida every year but I haven't seen them in ages.

Congratulations on 50 years of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and here's to many more!

Judge paves way for Mattel to sue Bratz inventor

Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:32pm EDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge in California has cleared the way for Barbie doll maker Mattel Inc (MAT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to go forward with its lawsuit against ex-employee and Bratz dolls inventor Carter Bryant.

Mattel, the world's largest toy maker, had claimed it owns MGA Entertainment's Bratz dolls because Bryant conceived the big-headed, pouty-lipped toys while he worked as a Barbie designer.

In a ruling issued on Friday, U.S. District Judge Stephen Larson said "the undisputed facts establish that Bryant breached his fiduciary duty to communicate his inventions to Mattel when, rather than doing so, he secretly entered into a contract with Mattel's competitor, while still employed by Mattel."

Sales of Barbie dolls have waned in recent years amid fierce competition from Bratz dolls, which burst onto the market in 2001. Mattel said this month the Bratz litigation was a factor in its $46.6 million first-quarter loss.

"The facts are on our side and we are confident we will prevail at trial," MGA Chief Executive Isaac Larian said in a statement. " MGA ... built Bratz -- and no one else."

(Reporting by Justin Grant, with additional reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; editing by Carol Bishopric and Braden Reddall)

For the Ultimate Doll Collector: NiniMomo Creations

If you've not had the pleasure, you absolutely must check out NiniMomo.com. I was amazed the first time I saw the site a few years ago. It is mainly a site for doll pageants. Yes, doll pageants. Just like Miss Universe has delegates representing various countries, this company customizes fashion dolls to represent different countries or states. But my words don't do it justice, see for yourself.

When you know what the original doll looks like and compare it to their customized version, the transformation is mind-blowing. The hair, face painting and detailed workmanship on the gowns really make the dolls worth the price.

I'd love to add one of their dolls to my collection but by the ones I want are always sold by the time I get to the site. L Anyhoo, here is my latest favorite, Miss South Africa, and yes it's already sold.

Imagine the thrill of owning such a gorgeous a doll that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Meet the artists that make up NiniMomo Creations

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

I am guilty. My Barbie-sensitivity is showing.

Ashley Miller and Heather Johnson of Atlanta, GA were recently sentenced for bank robbery. The two, with inside help from a bank teller, got away with $11,000 and went on a shopping spree.

Feel free to google 'Barbie bandits' to get the gory details, if you so choose. On the other hand, I am so ticked that Barbie's name has been associated with these two young women.

They're both blonde and attractive but they're also stupid. Barbie is not stupid.

OK, that was my rant for the day. Thanks.

Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie Arrived Today!

Today was fabulous!!! My Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie finally arrived and, well, all the stress I've been dealing with at the office just went out the window. I must say she is fabulosity personified. I spent much of the afternoon showing her off to people in the office --- even complete strangers --- that probably think I'm certifiably crazy. Kimora was a Christmas gift from my boss and I'm just so appreciative that I could cry. My boss is so…there's no better word…fabulous.

Let me just say that the doll looks much better in person than she does in the Barbie Collector catalog. Quite frankly, I thought the photo made her look a tad hoochiefied.

Anyhoo, the floor-length faux fur chinchilla coat is to die for and the signature 'Kimora Lee Simmons' leopard print lining was not lost on me. I really wasn't feeling the thigh-high boots when I'd seen them in photos but the gold heels on the boots are just too fabulous with the fishnet hose. The gold 'KLS' appointments on the handbag and chiffon top are so Kimora. Let me not forget that she's wearing my favorite color --- pink!

I was a bit surprised that so many people at my job didn't know who she is; but they do now.

If there was one thing I'd change about her, it would be the sunglasses. They are positioned fabulously on the top of her head but there's not enough contrast between the color of her hair and the color of her sunglasses so they get lost until examining the doll closely.

If you like pink and fashion, you must add Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie to your collection. Now, it would be too fab of Mattel to make dolls in the likeness of her daughters Ming and Aoki. Think about it. It's fabulous!