| Modern Doll Collectors Convention | |
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By
all accounts, the Modern Doll Collectors Convention ("MDC") held in
Las Vegas at the beginning of November, was a big success. The convention
was a sell-out, there were amazing dolls to see in both the competition and the
sales-room, workshops were wonderful, and collectors made new friends.
But sometimes, its the unexpected things that happen at conventions that have the most direct impacts on a collector's collecting....
Alex and Me
I attended the MDC since I am a modern fashion doll collector, and I knew that there was a big focus on fashion dolls at the convention this year (well, I was also giving a presentation on "The History Of Fashion Dolls,' but that's another story.....). Prior to the MDC, I felt that my collecting "identity" as a modern fashion doll collector was very firmly established. I collect Barbie (since childhood!), Gene since her introduction in 1995, and last year, Tyler Wentworth and Daisy and Willow joined my collection. For the large 16" fashion dolls, I have a reason for collecting each one--Gene and her outfits represent the fashion of the 40s and 50s; Tyler Wentworth represents current fashion, and Daisy and Willow represent fashion from the 60s. You will note that the 70s and 80s are conspicuously missing from my 16" fashion doll line-up.....since, for me, the less said about those fashion eras, the better.
SO, I decided to PASS on collecting the new Madame Alexander entry into the fashion doll arena--Alexandra Fairchild Ford. Alex wears current fashions--and, I had Tyler for that. It wasn't that I didn't think Alex was pretty--I DID, but she was introduced this year, and I already had started assembling a wardrobe for Tyler who was introduced last year (dolls and outfits for 15" to 16" fashion dolls are not inexpensive--you can easily spend $60 to $100 for a doll, and $30 to $80 for a costume). So, I had decided to pass on Alex.
Then, at the MDC, there was a special Madame Alexander dinner, and the souvenir doll is the doll pictured above--she's called "Modern Romance" Alex. This is the FIRST Alex I had seen with curly hair. And, ahem, it was all over... I was smitten. In love. Deciding which Gene would be kicked out of the display cabinet for her. Planning her wardrobe, and trying to figure out if she'd fit into all the Tyler and Gene clothes I already had....in fact, I've JUST asked my family for some outfits for Alex for Christmas.
Brenda and Me
Well, it MAY be strange that
I came home with an Alex doll after the MDC, but what is even STRANGER is that I
came home with a Brenda doll. Well, actually TWO Brendas....
Ok, until the MDC, I had RESISTED Alex, but I will admit that I did like her, and that hearing about her on the Doll Forum from other collectors had given me a favorable opinion about her. But, Brenda Starr was a doll that I had actively decided NOT to collect. Again, Brenda didn't represent an era that I felt I was lacking in my collection (Brenda Starr, produced by Effanbee, wears mostly fashions from the 40s and 50s). In addition, the first year of production of Brenda was NOT to my taste--very, very bright colors (reds, purples) that were probably accurate for a comic strip, but, um, well, BRIGHT! In addition, some of the fabrics selected didn't seem accurate for the scale--too-big stripes, and stiff synthetic fabrics that didn't hang right. SO, I had come to a definite NO decision on Brenda.
At the MDC, there was a FREE Brenda Starr breakfast for all convention attendees. The night before the breakfast, in the convention sales room, I had seen a Brenda Starr outfit that impressed me--it was called "Mandarin Mood," and made use of some lovely silk ribbon embroidery.
Of course, I attended the breakfast (I mean, it was free, wasn't it?) At the breakfast, I truly enjoyed the presentation by Effanbee about Brenda's history and the history of the development of the doll. I was also impressed by the generosity of the Effanbee company--every breakfast attendee received a FREE Brenda Starr outfit plus several Effanbee paper dolls sets as a favor. And, I LOVED the photo of the prototype of the new for 2001 Basil St John doll during the presentation (finally--a male doll!) SO, caught up in the excitement, I decided to buy the breakfast doll (sight unseen). I ALSO put my name in for the drawing for the centerpiece, which was the Masquerade Brenda, available for purchase at about 1/2 of retail. Well, wouldn't you know it, I got the centerpiece, too. The limited edition breakfast doll turned out to be a special edition of the Mandarin Mood that I had admired the night before!
So, I went home with TWO Brendas and an outfit, and a resolve to check out the 2001 line of Brenda Starr with a new eye. I haven't made the "commitment' to totally collect Brenda in the future, but I certainly will look at her differently from now on.
Moral Of My Story...
The moral of my story is that doll collecting conventions can open up NEW collecting horizons for doll collectors--it can change what you collect, add to what you collect, and influence your collecting direction. At conventions, you are exposed to dolls that you are not normally exposed to in your daily collecting "circle of influence." Additionally, dolls that you see only in a magazine ad or on the internet can appear very different when you are holding them in your hand, and hearing all about their history from their creators and manufacturers. Plus, the enthusiasm of other collectors is contagious!
So, the next time you attend a collecting conventions, be open to expanding your collecting horizons. And, if you've never BEEN to a doll collecting convention--what are you waiting for? Whole new worlds of collecting await you!
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Denise Van Patten, © 2000. All rights reserved.
