I am very late responding but love this so much I have to post! I was never>> Archived Message
Posted by Izzy  on February 16, 2025, 10:53 am, in reply to "30 years today Gene hit Toy Fair! My thoughts inside. Add yours xxoo"
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.
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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
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