OOAK Doll Festival–A Huge Thank You!!
One hundred collectors of One of a Kind fashion dolls congregated in New York City for an amazing event. It was the first event of it’s kind and it has left this attendee with a huge sense of gratitude and respect for my fellow collectors.
First and foremost, I have to thank Rocky Schmidt and his incredible team of festival organizers. This event was simply amazing. From the moment we registered to the last evenings dinner and doll presentation, it was a beautifully produced and orchestrated event. We all ate, drank and were very merry indeed. Because of the small intimate nature of this festival, you felt like you were attending a family reunion. Collectors of specialized one of a kind fashion dolls gathered from all over the world and although we live in different areas, we were all connected through the love of this particular sub genre of collecting.
While it’s always nice to get some nice ‘swag’ at events, I would say the bulk of enjoyment for most at this event were the people. It’s the enjoyment of being with people who collect exactly what you collect. This convention celebrated in particular the artistry and design of two very well respected and admired OOAK artistic teams…Magia 2000 and Ninimomo. It was a festival that celebrated their artistry and love for this specialized craft .
For me personally, this event had special significance. Firstly, It offered up an opportunity to collaborate on a project with some of my closest friends who work in this 1/6 scale medium. I have long admired and respected Hilda and Rogier’s work. Just to be a part of this team that produced the Laduree diorama was something I am so honored to be a part of.
It was also an honor to donate a few items to the talented collaborators of Hilda Westervelt of Bellissima Couture and Maryann Roy of Welcome Home and their centerpiece doll design.
Besides the festival itself, there were a number of top favorites from the trip.
#1 I got to go to one of my favorite places with a few of my favorite people.
#2 I got to see Rogier enjoy his first NYC hot dog from a stand!
#3 I got to experience the garment district with the master…Hilda
#4 And…I got to enjoy an amazing dinner with some great friends…old and new
And…last but not least, I got to enjoy the city with my husband and daughter ( wish my son could have joined….darn those college classes)
To cap off the whole week of festivities, a number of us from the festival were able to attend a performance of Hamilton!! And it was an opportunity to meet up with in-laws and give a lovely sister-in-law the opportunity to see the show of her heart…on Broadway! That made it all the sweeter.
So…Rocky and Team…from this blogger of fashion dolls…a HUGE Thank you for the memories and events of a lifetime.
-Rebecca
OOAK Doll Festival–Saturday Night Dinner
After the excitement of the mornings design challenge, festival attendees had lunch on their own and an afternoon to shop some more in the sales room or have some well deserved free time. We were all anticipating the final evening event of the festival – The Diamond Jubilee diner featuring a tribute to Ninimomo. The super talented Ninimomo team of Nik Moronese and Marie Lebreton shared a fun video of their design process and a tribute to their loyal fans.
Then it was time to vote, judge and announce the winner of the “Make your own OOAK” design challenge.
The judges convened for a decision
First and Second Runner ups..
And the winner….drum roll please…was our own Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World!!!! with this stunning entry…
Congratulations Rogier!!
Another highlight of the evening was the collection of past Ninimomo OOAK dolls brought by collectors.
Attendees were asked to vote on their favorite….and here she is.
There were some fabulous table centerpieces!
And they were all slightly different….same outfit but different dolls for each. I thought that was really inventive and cool.
After a fantastic diner, it was time to unveil the Ninimomo convention doll. Each attendee received this one too. Yes people!! TWO official dolls for this festival.
Rocky received a special much deserved OOAK gift from Nik and Marie as well.
It was an amazing evening and total icing on an already amazing cake of a doll festival. Recap and final thoughts and thank-you post coming up tomorrow.
—Rogier and Rebecca
OOAK Doll Festival–Friday Dinner
After the sales room frenzy of Friday afternoon, many attendees headed to Mood Fabric in the garment district and if they had time, stopped off at M&J Trimming. I did not attend that outing but many did and had a marvelous time.
The evening event was the Platinum Party Dinner where we all paid tribute to the amazing and creative talents of Gianni Grossi and Mario Paglino who make up the stellar team of Magia 2000. Here they are with Rocky Schmidt the fabulous organizer of this truly one of a kind festival.
There was a table centerpiece…which all of us wanted but only 10 lucky ducks won. Yours truly and her blogging cohort Rogier…were not lucky ducks this evening 
There was also a collection of Magia 2000 creations that were brought and shared by various attendees. It was such a treat to see so many beautiful creations from Magia 2000 past collections. Wish I had time to photograph all of them in the studio!
Once you stopped salivating over the Magia’s…it was time to vote on your favorite “unconventional material” OOAK dolls. Each attendee was given a ticket to vote on their favorite Magia and their favorite unconventional material doll.
There were many creative entries for unconventional materials. In the end…Rogier was 2nd runner up for his masterful concoction. The winner of the competition was an adorable whimsical design and excellent use of pastel confetti material!
The winner of the favorite collector Magia 2000 was this one. Breathtaking!
After a lovely dinner, it was time to unveil the Magia 2000 official convention doll. Each attendee received one! She was an instant favorite. Her name is Manhattan Premiere.
Oh….My….Word!!!!
Here is a sketch that Mario and Gianni share with Rogier and I.
Rocky received a OOAK version of this beauty. A beautiful OOAK lady for a gentleman that put so much time and effort into making this festival happen. You deserve this and so much more for all your work Rocky. We love you!!
Saturday’s events posts coming up..
-Rogier and Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 