remotely interested in dolls as a child but I always loved fashion and paper cut out dolls.

I have always loved Christmas ornaments and Christmas stores and visited one I think in Virginia which also sold Muffy and Madame Alexander dolls. They had an ice skating couple in their MA selection and I bought them to break up the mass of skating books, videos and programmes on my bookshelves.

A couple of holidays later we were in Canada and browsing the magazine shelves I spotted a DollReader with an article on skating dolls, Barbara Ann Scott as a felt doll was on the cover. I bought it for the article but was amazed when I saw the ad for Gene: one of those double page ones with the doll, mannequin stand and two or three outfits pictured together. It looked like my beloved childhood paper dolls brought to life in 3D.

It took a while to actually find one I could purchase, I think on yet another holiday in a collectibles store in West Edmonton Mall. That first doll for me was Sparkling Seduction.

Soon after AD started trying the European Market and exhibited at a fair in the National Exhibition Centre not far from my home. I remember coming home with Red Venus and Creme de Cassis convinced all I needed now was additional clothes.

Then came the social side - Yahoo groups, HLAYG, conventions and fun at the theatre in Windsor when Madra was introduced.

I might be an unusual Gene fan as I never collected or even played with Barbie, prefer modern fashion to vintage fashion and have no interest in movies old or new. I actually watched White Christmas for the very first time following Sandra‘s last event.


Even though most of my collecting has moved towards more modern themes I still love Gene and a few are always on display. Even more do I treasure the friends I have made through this beautiful doll and that she helped me discover a hobby that has seriously enriched my life. Not only did she start the 16“ doll trend, she created a new interest in dolls for me.