Ahhhh... the memories. Back in 1995 I was just dabbling with dolls as an adult. A friend showed me > Archived Message
Posted by IL Deb  on February 3, 2025, 10:30 am, in reply to "30 years today Gene hit Toy Fair! My thoughts inside. Add yours xxoo"
her little girl's bedroom with a whole shelf full of play Barbies including the annual Christmas Barbies. I couldn't believe she had bought her daughter all those dolls (HAHA!) I began buying doll magazines to see what kids were playing with in the doll world because I remembered how I loved the Barbies my sister and I received in 1960.
That's how I saw the ad for Gene. If I remember correctly it was Red Venus and I was immediately glued to her picture and the story that accompanied it. With her light blue eyes, calm demeanor and the era of her story, she immediately reminded me of my mom (who's name was Jeanne!) Around the same time, we bought our first personal PC. As soon as I figured out how to use it I started searching dolls and couldn't believe how many adults collected! I googled doll shops and started calling, asking about this Gene doll. I even visited a shop in person up in the Chicago area and brought the brochure I had found. They had not heard of her and they were not interested in ordering her for their shop! I ended up ordering all three direct from Ashton Drake.
It must have been the fall of '95 or sometime in '96 I found out about a big toy show in Chicago and dragged my two sisters and mom with me. What fun! It was like I was a kid again seeing all the things I wanted for Christmas. Icing on the cake: I met Mel in person and had my picture taken with him. I also saw the next collection not yet in production which was Pin-Up and the new fashions.
A side note - I met my best doll bud online in the 'Here's Looking at You Gene' community and we discovered that we live less than 100 miles from one another.
Mel, thank you for the fun and for the memories and for opening up a whole world of friends! XOXO
|
Message Thread: | This response ↓
- 30 years today Gene hit Toy Fair! My thoughts inside. Add yours xxoo - Lori in Denver February 2, 2025, 2:17 pm
- I am very late responding but love this so much I have to post! I was never>> - Izzy February 16, 2025, 10:53 am
- Do you remember... - Gael February 10, 2025, 2:01 pm
- I love the friends I've made through Gene - Gael February 10, 2025, 1:49 pm
- What a wonderful tribute to Gene and Mel, Lori! Thank you for sharing the picture, too!
 - Sue in ABQ February 7, 2025, 1:14 pm - I have a small antique and collectible store that started about that time,.. - dcal February 6, 2025, 9:29 pm
- My 1st Sighting must have been an ad in a doll mag. Red Venus and Monaco came to live w/ me >>> then - Trish at dollymall February 6, 2025, 3:51 pm
- Thank Lori for this. And thanks to all of you for sharing memories and our love of Gene. - Jan in MB February 5, 2025, 3:16 pm
- May I just add how lucky we are to love this doll - Carole NY February 5, 2025, 5:03 am
- I first saw Gene in a Mall gift shop...was fascinated by---->msg - Lori in RI February 4, 2025, 6:17 pm
- Wonderful to read all these stories and memories. Thanks to all my online friends! Hugs!! - Becky in Upstate February 4, 2025, 5:42 pm
- I remember as if it were yesterday, that first picture of Monaco in Blue Goddess in Doll Reader Mag - Jayne in Seattle February 3, 2025, 11:09 pm
- Thank you for sharing this! I remember the smell of opening a new Gene doll box and the excitement.. - RyeGuy February 3, 2025, 9:26 pm
- I first saw Gene at FAO in Orlando and was completely captivated. - Donna in FL February 3, 2025, 7:58 pm
- Lori, thank you for sharing this and starting this thread of reminiscence.>>>>> - Ivy in MA February 3, 2025, 4:52 pm
- Love this. So many great stories from the first year or two. > - dollster February 3, 2025, 11:31 am
- Ahhhh... the memories. Back in 1995 I was just dabbling with dolls as an adult. A friend showed me > - IL Deb February 3, 2025, 10:30 am
- What a great picture! I fell in love with Gene when FAO sent me a catalogue! - Kim in IL February 3, 2025, 5:40 am
- My affair with Gene started when my dolls were taken in a home burglary - VeraS February 3, 2025, 2:18 am
- How Gene drew me in… - Kelly Red February 3, 2025, 12:03 am
- Wow- thank you for sharing this reminder! - sigborga99 February 2, 2025, 9:28 pm
- A beautiful tribute on this anniversary date! - Jim S February 2, 2025, 8:07 pm
- Thank you for the photo! It captures so much about the beginnings of Gene. - Barb in MA February 2, 2025, 6:05 pm
- Love this, Lori! Gene has brought so much to so many. <3 - Michael H February 2, 2025, 5:26 pm
- That was beautifully said Lori. I'd like to share my own "The beginnings of my Love for Gene" story - George in NC February 2, 2025, 3:41 pm
- I am at a loss for words as my eyes well up with tears. Thank you for sharing your story. - Sue in ABQ February 7, 2025, 1:12 pm
- What a heartwarming story! - Kim in IL February 4, 2025, 6:32 am
- That is a beautiful story from such a big heart - Ori February 4, 2025, 3:17 am
- Oh, George…..what a sweet story>>>> - CherylStG February 3, 2025, 10:53 am
- {{{ HUGS }}} - IL Deb February 3, 2025, 9:42 am
- You’ve both broken my heart and made me smile. Thank you for sharing. - Kelly Red February 3, 2025, 12:07 am
- George, that was so sweet. I am glad to know you these 20 some years. - Jackie_NJ February 2, 2025, 4:29 pm
- Lovely Lori! You evoke so many thoughts, memories and joy. >> - Becky in Upstate February 2, 2025, 3:20 pm
- Gene paved the way, and everything about doll collecting changed. - Jackie_NJ February 2, 2025, 2:32 pm
|
|