Mission Accomplished!

Time to share photos of the work completed for Colette in Paris for their special Barbie celebration throughout the month of March. With very little lead time, I've been scrambling and working non-stop to complete the collection in time. It's a HUGE relief to finally be done!

I'm sending a collection of 23 pieces; mostly new works, but I threw a few 'oldie but goodies' into the mix as well. I'd love to hear your feedback… thanks and enjoy.

Pop Smile Necklace - Pink

Pop Smile Necklaces: pink, yellow, blue

Hand Hinge Bracelet w/ multi rings

Mr. Handsome Necklace

Grinning Girls Necklace

Have-a-Heart Bust Necklaces

Crescent Hand Necklace

Black & Silver Polka Dot Brooch

Smile & Eye Bracelet w/ bubbles

Teardrop Earrings in black & blue

Laughing Circle Brooch

Eye/Smile Pull-through Earrings

Eye/Smile Pull-through Earrings

Chest Neckpiece

Eye, Smile, Hand Earrings

Pink Lip Pendant

Brown Eye Tension Clasp Bracelet

Pink Eye Ring

Black Eye Ring

The rings have adjustable ring bands!
(one-size-fits-most: approx. size 6 up to 8.5)

(adjustable ring back detail)

And a new addition to the Have-a-Heart Bust series… a ring!
(With adjustable ring band as well)

Have-a-Heart Bust Ring

Have-a-Heart Bust Ring (back detail)

What a B****

Valentines weekend was a great-time overall and I'm excited to have hit this big milestone birthday. I am SO ready for my 30's… bring it.

There was one big glitch in the b'day plans however: The Barbie Fashion show at Bryant Park which Mattel had so graciously sent me an invitation to. The only show we ended up seeing however, was the one on the stairs outside the entrance to the event.

After some issues with the trains, Dave and I arrived at Bryant Park at exactly at 3pm, when the show was to start, and were told that they were not letting any more people inside. "Full to capacity" and even if you had an invite, you could forget about getting in. Talk about disappointment! We hung around for a while on the off-chance more people would eventually be let in.

While it would have been exciting to see the show inside the tent, the show outside was equally as entertaining. It was an interesting display of how truly ugly the fashion world is, and I found it fascinating on many levels.

The circus comprised of an impressive array of dolled-up female and male fashionistas proudly accessorized in "holier-than-thou" attitudes, as well as rich white mothers in fur and botox, confused tu-tu clad daughters in tow. And then there was the power-trip security guard. (why is it always that guy? I guess he sort of has to be like that to get the gig, but still…) he obviously needed to puff himself up by enforcing his one and only authority in crushing the hopes of anyone who DARE attempt to pass.

I have to admit, his insults and sarcasm were actually sort of humorous at first: a 100 lb. fashionista would precariously climb the steps in her stilettos and attempt to prove his invisiblity and her importance by ignoring him altogether only to slam into his menacing face breaking the trance between her and her blackberry. "Do you know who I AM!?" she would demand, and he would simply look past her and snipe "nope, and don't care. You're not getting in. Buh-bye." but after watching this happen over and over, and over, it became increasingly upsetting how much he was enjoying this power. I had front row access on those stairs to a parade of some of the fugliest make-up, outfits, and attitudes I've ever experienced here in nyc and quite frankly, have little interest in getting that close to ever again. (A funny article about the over-booked Barbie show can also be read here.)

So eventually we gave up on the idea of ever entering Barbie's Dream House and instead traveled down to the LES to hit up THE best cupcake place in nyc, grabbed our dessert for later that evening and headed back into Brooklyn in time for our dinner reservations at Aurora, the restaurant I've been wanting to try for ages. All in all it was a lovely 30th birthday and Dave spoiled me rotten.

The etsy one day sale was a HUGE success and I want to thank everyone who participated on V-day, you're the best! And wow, it sure is true that everyone loves a sale!

If you're curious about the show inside, here's a little peak into what we missed:

http://thefashiondungjen.blogspot.com/2009/02/barbie-at-bryant-park-fashion-dungjen.html

Another Barbie Paris bound

In follow-up news regarding the stolen Barbie crisis: I decided to re-make the Barbie, but did not re-design a new one. She will be nearly identical to the first. I'll be compensated for the making of Barbie #2 this time (which I felt was important since I was not paid to make the first one.)


I have recently learned that the accessorized Barbie dolls will not be auctioned off in aid of a "charitable association" after all. Instead Mattel has decided they would like to keep the Barbies for their permanent collection. Which I think is really exciting (although sort of unfortunate for charity, hmmm…)

The Barbie dolls' next appearance will be at the THE BOX Trade Show in Pavillon Cambon/Capucines between the March 6th - 9th.

Thank you for all your kind words and supportive thoughts regarding the situation! It meant a lot to know so many people understood the pain and frustration of losing your work in such a way.

One Day Sale!

In honor of my 30th birthday this Saturday, February 14th I'm spreading the love
with a really big, really awesome

Valentines Day Sale!
www.margauxlange.etsy.com

Almost everything* in my shop will be 30% off for ONE DAY ONLY
February 14th
(*excludes one-of-a-kinds)

Forget to buy your sweetie something for Valentines day?
Here's your chance to make up for it… big time.

Had your EYE on a certain necklace?

Been waiting to get your HANDS on some earrings?

Now is your chance folks!

If you check my etsy shop often, you know I never have sales like this, so whether you're sharing the love or giving yourself some love… take advantage of this opportunity while it lasts!

I've been invited!

… to attend the Barbie Fashion Show at Bryant Park this Saturday February 14th (which also happens to be my 30th birthday) Woo hoo!

50 big-name designers have created life-size outfits inspired by Barbie for this special Fashion Show celebrating Barbie's 50th birthday during NY Fashion Week. The event will "celebrate the past, present and future of fashion, with Barbie as the muse."

The Designers Involved:

Alexander Wang
Anna Sui
Baby Phat
Badgley Mischka
Betsey Johnson
Bob Mackie
Brian Reyes
Calvin Klein
Carmen Marc Valvo
Catherine Malandrino
Chris Benz
Costello Tagliapietra
Derek Lam
Diane von Furstenberg
Donna Karan
Erin Fetherston
House of Field
Jeremy Scott
Juicy Couture
Kai Kuhne
Kenneth Cole
Koi Suwannagate
Lyn Devon
Marchesa
Michael Kors
Monique Lhuillier
Naeem Khan
Nanette Lepore
Nicole Miller
Norma Kamali
Peter Som
Rachel Roy
Rag & Bone
Rebecca Taylor
Reem Acra
Robert Best
Rosa Cha
The Blonds
Three As Four
Tibi
Tommy Hilfiger
Tory Burch
Tracy Reese
Trina Turk
Tuleh
Twinkle
Vena Cava
Vera Wang
Vivienne Tam
Yeohlee
Yigal Azrouel

Christian Louboutin has also designed a pair of pumps in celebration of the icon in "Barbie Pantone 219 Pink" (Barbie's iconic color) and the shoes will supposedly be appearing with every outfit in the fashion show.

For more info about Barbie's 50th Birthday and the festivities here and here.

I am still in shock that I've been invited to attend this show! Wow. Now seriously though, what am I going to wear?!

Barbie goes to Paris

I guess the e-newsletter I sent out on Sunday was a bit confusing… let me clarify: I am not going to Paris for Fashion Week, just the Barbie that I designed jewelry for will be making the trip. Sorry for the confusion.

Despite a lot of last minute scrambling, I finished her jewelry and shipped her off this afternoon! This is the necklace design I was perfectly content with up until about 20 minutes before I was to send her on her way…

However, I decided I liked one of my other configurations better after all, so this is what I ended up sending them instead:

By flipping up the hands in the back, the necklace has more collar-like dimension, which I think makes it more sculptural and interesting.

The cool thing is, the necklace can really be worn several ways, it's just a matter of adjusting the hands and the way they're situated on the neckwire.

She had to have some fabulous sterling silver heels as well (*these were cast)…

I also made her a ring to match the nipple-esque end caps used in the necklace:

I'm pleased with how she turned out. This project was a lot of fun, and it makes me want to play around and make more jewelry for Barbie. A friend of mine wisely suggested that I actually make the jewelry wearable when off of the doll, so that it can be worn on the (human) body as well which I thought was a great idea! Like a "hers and mine" set. I might just have to make a series of those. I've been trying to think about ways to "display" some of my pieces when not being worn anyway, and that might be an interesting solution. When not wearing the jewelry on your body, Barbie wears it on hers. ahh the layers…

So, which design do you prefer and why?

Designing For Barbie

I've been invited to accessorize Barbie and her little black dress for an exhibition during Fashion Week (and beyond) in Paris starting at the end of this month.

Many fashion designers have made garments for Barbie in the past, however this year in honor of Barbie's 50th birthday celebration, 50 designers have been asked to create accessories for her and her little black dress. I am truly honored to have been invited to participate!

The Barbies from all the various designers will move into their temporary "castle" in Prêt-á-Porter Paris, Porte de Versailles, to be displayed during Fashion Week. They will be involved in a photo shoot for Vive la Mode, the free magazine distributed after fashion shows. She will then be on display for The Box and an exhibition of the photos will be displayed for Atmosphere, "the fashion designers rendez-vous," Jardin des Tuileries. The Barbies will then travel to NY for The Train, the international trade show of wardrobe and accessories. After all these exciting high fashion events, Barbie will eventually be auctioned off in aid of a charitable association.

I just received my Barbie in the mail yesterday and am SO excited to start making some fabulous jewelry and accessories for her. (Check out those eyelashes!)

…Paris Fashion Week here we come!