Update 12/11 ~ Well, Mattel has announced that, as no other dolly magazine seems to be devoting itself exclusively to its Plastic Princess like she deserves (imagine that), an official publication had to be created to address this lack. Barbie™ Collector Magazine will be unveiled early 2007, with the premiere issue hitting the newstands in April (cue trumpets).

These highly amusing missives (to me) are reprinted below. Spelling errors are the sole property of M. Lestrade, Fondation Tanagra founder. Heavy sarcasm all my own.

I have read this comment on your site concerning ours. Though I am glad you appreciate some of the work I would like to ask you a question:

Don't you think it is about time to accept that maybe BillyBoy*, as a creator of the Mdvanii doll and also great contributor to the Barbie phenomena -at least in the past 20 years-, has the right to express himself and tell the real facts instead of having other people spread factoids? Don't you think your reaction is grossly exagerated?

As the long-time artistic and business partner, associate and companion of BillyBoy* as well as director of the Fondation Tanagra, I think I can tell you that you are wrong in your appreciation of the opinions expressed in this site and that your judgment is simply partial. I believe you haven't read fully the articles and tried to understand an artist's point of view, who has shown enough, through his works, creations, books etc, his great talent, his sharp understanding and knowledge of high fashion and fashion doll history and also his integrity in these fields.

Best regards,

Jean Pierre Lestrade
Fondation Tanagra
http://www.fondationtanagra.com

PS: since you like pink, have you read BillyBoy*'s THINK PINK article on the site?

**The above email had the return address name of smoogie. I had some doubts that it actually was from Fondation Tanagra, even though it followed the style of the Fondation's Mdvanii pages. However, I responded 18 Jan 03:**

M. Lestrade

Allow me to thank you for taking the time to write to express your views on my opinion of Fondation Tanagra. I confess myself surprised that it piqued your interest enough to deserve a response, as I can not claim my little website to have a wide-reaching audience. I'm flattered.

Certainly BillyBoy* has the right to express himself. He may do so in any manner and on any topic he chooses and he has obviously done so. I have simply done the same in regards to Fondation Tanagra.

I cannot claim to be a Barbie expert; nor am I a rabid Barbie fan. When I came across your website while building my own, I had no pre-conceived notions of BillyBoy* or his creation. My reaction, though exaggerated in your eyes, was simply my natural response to the tone of smugness that permeated Mdvanii's pages.

I confess it has been some time since I last slogged through the Mdvanii section, although I assure you that I did indeed read the articles. Aside from insuring my link still works, I have felt no desire to revisit Mdvanii at Fondation Tanagra. Fulsome praise salted with sneering (and unnecessary) cuts at the works of others leaves me nauseous.

You also charge that my perception and judgment of the Fondation's opinions are faulty. May I be so bold as to observe that as you are a 'long-time . . . partner, associate and companion' of BillyBoy*, your judgment in turn could hardly be considered impartial. However, I do salute your obvious loyalty.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your letter.

I am, sir,

Joanna F Randall
Doll Collector
Dollectables

P.S.: Actually I do not care for the color pink. The pink graphics and references on my Barbie pages are there merely because it's considered Barbie's signature color. To answer your question, yes I did.

**I need not have worried I was wasting my English Composition lessons on a prankster. The address name on M. Lestrade's answering email that same day was the far more official-looking Fondation Tanagra.**

Dear Ms Randall,

Thank you for your response.

I understand that it is your right to express yourself the way you did. However, even if you do not agree with the way Mdvanii is presented, this is only a fraction of the site. You certainly are the first person who said that it was a public relation nightmare...

In any case it is not my purpose to harass you and to try to convince you of the interest of our goals and work. I am very sorry if you felt hurt, as a doll collector, with some of the contents of the site. It certainly has never been my intention, nor BillyBoy*'s, to insult anyone or make anyone feel nauseous, especially with the information proposed on our site.

The world is already overloaded with information of all sorts and everyone's time is precious. Nevertheless, I'd like to think that you will find some day the desire to visit our site again, I believe that if you have not done it since last April 2002, you have not seen the entirely renewed site and new material.

With my best regards,

Jean Pierre Lestrade
Fondation Tanagra

**I tend to indulge in sarcasm; I've noticed in the past that it doesn't translate well in emails.

I take some sadistic joy in knowing that I'm the first to call Mdvanii's pages at Fondation Tanagra a 'Public Relations nightmare'. Bwuahaha!

Long since this exchange, Fondation Tanagra has revamped their site. The new layout must be a doozy, as it takes several minutes to load the English version.

Frankly, after five minutes, I gave up. A glimpse at the source code coughed up this link to Larraby Blaine, Esq., a Swiss-based company associated with Fondation Tanagra. This site loads much faster and has a (for sale) catalog of Mdvanii creations.

Although, Larraby Blaine, Esq. also indulges in some high-flown notions about what is proper in a Mdvanii collector:

"And remember: Mdvanii and Friends are not like commercially-made fashion dolls. They are true artistic visions and should be respected as such. They can only wear authentic clothes designed by BillyBoy*, bearing the original and authentic woven label "Mdvanii- Paris - BillyBoy* Toys" with a hand-written number.

DON'T HAVE THEM WEAR ANY OTHER HOME-MADE GARMENTS. IT IS ALWAYS WRONG, IT DESTROYS THEIR ARTISTIC INTEGRITY AND THUSLY DIMINISHES GREATLY THEIR FUTURE VALUE."

Mdvanii - Brings the phrase "Fashion Police" to a whole new level . . .**

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