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Related Resources • Toy Fair Doll News 2003 • IDEX 2003 • Fashion Dolls

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This year, I will admit that I went to IDEX and Toy Fair prepared to be disappointed with the Gene Marshall Collection of dolls by Ashton Drake.

I had already heard through the Internet grapevine that the plans for 2003 was a much reduced collection.  In fact, I had heard that no separate fashions would be produced for the line this year--only dolls.  This, I thought, did not bode well--what IS a fashion doll if there aren't any fashions for her?   And, to be honest, as a collector of Gene since 1995 and as a Gene retailer, I was Gene-tired.  There had been SO many Genes and Gene friends and Gene outfits since 1995, that I wasn't really sure WHY I needed another Gene, especially any Gene dressed dolls.  I shared some of these thoughts with my readers here at About.com in January.

Well, if you are now hearing a loud crunching sound when you read this, that is the sound of me eating my words.

I was truly impressed by the Gene dolls this year.  And, after speaking with representatives from Ashton Drake, I also agreed with many of the reasons for the vast changes in the line  (I don 't agree with all of it, certainly not the lack of separate fashions, but we'll get to that later...).  Overall, I have to say that I no longer feel Gene-tired--I definitely am excited about this year's Gene Marshall line!

Thirteen Dolls

Thirteen dolls.  That kind of says it all.  The entire 2003 Gene Marshall line of dolls consists of 13 dolls.  Last year, I think the 2002 line filled an entire, rather large booth at Toy Fair.   As Mel Odom, creator of Gene, has said about this year's line:  "...I would call this The Spotlight Collection--a string of gems, presented with the accent on evening glamour.  Its a smaller collection, filled only with showstoppers."

And you know what? Mel hit it right on the head.  These dolls ARE Showstoppers.  Each doll is practically perfectly executed, for her makeup to the fabric in her outfit, to her hair and shoes.  Notably, this year's dolls each have separately done makeup to compliment their hair and outfits.  This is the first year that the Gene dolls have had this!  Some lips are pink, some are red, others burgundy.  The eyes are all painted in individualistic ways as well--different colors of eyeshadow, different eye highlighting. etc.  This makes a huge difference in the line!

Also notable is the quality of the costumes and the hairstyles for 2003.  The fabrics are truly outstanding. Some of the hairstyles are amazing (Siren in the Night!  How DID they do that??) And even the shoes are better designed than in past years (do I hear a happy chorus of No More Ribbon Ties?).

One of the best features about the 2003 Gene line is that each doll is very limited.  Pas De Deux and Pinque Passion are limited to one year of production, the 1950s Wedding Gown is limited to only 1,000 dolls and all others are limited to 2003 pieces worldwide.  However, one possible downside to this year's line is the price. Each dressed doll is $125.00.

Why is the line so small this year? Ashton Drake representatives felt that the line had gotten too large and unwieldy, and that was affecting collector interest in the line.  I agree with that, and would like to add my own observations that the line was being overproduced, with too many dolls staying in production for too long a time.  This created a glut of Gene so that nearly any Gene could be found online for less than retail.  Not a great situation for a high-end collectible.   The new look to Gene this year and the emphasis on quality, and the limited numbers of styles and editions should go a long way towards curing those problems and having collectors see Gene again in a fresh light.  I know at my store, my Gene collectors are as excited about Gene 2003 as I am.

The Collection

There are nine Gene dolls, 3 Violet dolls, and one Madra doll comprising the 2003 collection.  There are no new Trents, no new accessories, no new basic dolls (except Very Violet) and, as mentioned, no new separate costumes.  There ARE many items still available from the prior year lines, however, until they are retired.

My favorites from the new line include Pas de Deux, Siren in the Night and Shanghai Siren, Caribbean Kiss, Rags to Riches and Presidential Ball.  That's nearly 1/2 the line, but I simply couldn't pick. Oh, did I mention the 1950s bride?  OK, that's more than half the line.  If I had to pick the absolute stand-outs, for me, it would be Presidential Ball which is SO Marilyn Monroe, and the Shanghai duo which are original and fresh and very, very dramatic.  To see this year's line, go to: www.sharethedream.com.

Pas de Deux

Pas de Deux is the first of the 2003 dolls that arrived in my shop, just today! We unboxed her, and we couldn't help comparing her with last year's lovely Winter's Romance.  Both dolls are beautiful.  Both are in purple gowns.  But there is where their similarities end and Pas de Deux really shines.  The dress for Pas De Deux is in a beautiful, shimmering purple fabric that sits and drapes better than the fabric in Winter's Romance.  Winter's romance has a sandal-type evening shoe under her gown (our store sample has a broken strap!) but Pas de Deux has a lovely, closed satin shoe that matches the dress.  And the makeup on Pas de Deux is wonderful--brown eyebrows instead of the usual grey-blue ones, different highlighting to the eye-makeup, and a candy-like bright pink to the lips. The makeup complements the pretty blonde hair, in an intricate pulled-back hairstyle, just beautifully.

The Future

To summarize, the 2003 the Gene Marshall Collection has fewer dolls, smaller editions, no outfits, and generally less of everything--except quality.  And, its this emphasis on excellent, dramatic quality that will keep the Gene Marshall collection going strongly into the future!

To take Gene successfully into 2004 and beyond, I'd also like to see the following happen for Gene:

• A re-introduction of separate, stand-alone fashions.  The fashions, like the dolls, should be strictly limited, and quality should be the key--even if it means a price increase as the dolls have seen.  You can't have a fashion doll without the fashions--the fashions just need to be "special" and collectible again.
• New basic dolls (Very Violet, the only basic doll, was actually introduced last year at the Fan Appreciation Weekend).  Again, the basic dolls should have some sort of limits to their production--either to one year's production OR to one round of retailer orders (as the Tonner Doll Company sometimes does with "Open" production items).  Basic dolls are often the only way to get new collectors to join a line because of the lower price point--its easier to jump in with a doll price at $50 or $60 than one priced at $125..
• Continue with the small number of quality dressed dolls, each year perhaps around a general theme!  No more overproduction and no more cookie-cutter make-up.

Together, these measures will help Gene continue to be the fabulous success that she has been and the desirable collectible doll that she needs to be. 

Denise Van Patten

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Copyright Denise Van Patten 2003. All Rights Reserved.