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 The
Gene doll debuted at Toy Fair in February of
1995. The immediate response by collectors was a positive one, with many
rejoicing at a new doll finally breaking a decades-old monopoly on the fashion
doll world. Rabid on-line attention to Gene
convinced Ashton-Drake, the original manufacturers, to continue and expand the
line.
Gene’s philosophy of hands-on play and ‘out-of-the-box’, personalized collecting
and became the incentive for countless doll lovers. A vast cottage industry of
private designers, at every level of accomplishment, made and traded in, among
other things, meticulously sewn, miniature, twentieth century dress.
The story-driven dolls and separate fashions became a standard within the doll
world with numerous like-sized fashion dolls from other companies following. At
the same time, new dolls within the Gene line
were being introduced, first as characters in the 2000 book “Gene
Marshall, Girl Star”, and then as dolls from
Ashton-Drake. Over a period of ten years more than a million dolls and an equal
number of costumes have been sold worldwide.
Now, following the announcement at Toy Fair 2006 that Jason Wu and his team
would produce Mel Odom’s Gene, the future
looks brighter than ever for this most beloved character. Under the tutelage of
Jason Wu, a new dawn is upon Gene
Marshall, girl star.
Miss Marshall occasionally resides in New
York, although her heart will always remain in Hollywood.
“Change is proof of life, without
it, we’re fossils. Even dolls are subject to this law, even movie stars. Even
movie star dolls. This first
 collection of the new
Gene®, or as we like to call her, Gene® DeLuxe, is a celebration of the good fortune and happenstance that brought two
creative men together, to conspire and rethink what has become a classic in
American fashion dolls, Gene®
Marshall.”
Mel Odom
2009 GENE |
2008 GENE |
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2007 GENE |
GENE CONVENTION |
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