The message below concerning Gene and Ashton Drake was forwarded to me today. Since I know we all collect various and sundry dolls, I thought that those who may not have seen or heard the rumors concerning Gene might be interested.
Suzanne
<< In an unexpected turn of events, Ashton Drake has disbanded the Gene team. All of the former Gene team with the exception of Borum Kim are now assigned to other departments. She told me, "Everything is set for this year, Joan and I are scrambling to make things happen for the rest of the year." However, Wendy does not know what the future holds for Gene except that AD apparently does plan to keep producing the doll, maybe as a smaller line. Wendy did not know how this would effect Mel or the designers or what their future relationship with AD would be. Joan will still be a director, but will work on other projects. Wendy said they are all "shell shocked" over this.
When she emailed me today with permission to tell you guys, this is what she said,
"I spoke with Kirk about the current state of events around here, and asked him if Joan was going to have any kind of official statement or press release done up. He told me that something would be released directly after our return from Toy Fair.
If you want to tell people about what I told you, I think that would be ok. But it just won't officially be announced to the public until next month." >>
I kind of expected something like this as the Gene line had expanded & expanded & some of us decided enough is enough. I've also seen a great frequency of sales on Gene inventory as if dealers are tired of carrying her retinue. Sorry to hear about the "Gene team's fate", but not overly surprized. Will wait to here Gene's fate... Melissa
The message below concerning Gene and Ashton Drake was forwarded to me
today.
Since I know we all collect various and sundry dolls, I thought that those who may not have seen or heard the rumors concerning Gene might be
interested.
Suzanne
<< In an unexpected turn of events, Ashton Drake has disbanded the Gene team. All of the former Gene team with the exception of Borum Kim are now assigned to other departments. She told me, "Everything is set for this year, Joan and I are scrambling to make things happen for the rest of the year." However, Wendy does not know what the future holds for Gene except that AD apparently does plan to keep producing the doll, maybe as a smaller line. Wendy did not know how this would effect Mel or the designers or what their future relationship with AD would be. Joan will still be a director, but will work on other projects. Wendy said they are all "shell shocked" over this.
When she emailed me today with permission to tell you guys, this is what she said,
"I spoke with Kirk about the current state of events around here, and asked him if Joan was going to have any kind of official statement or press release done up. He told me that something would be released directly after our return from Toy Fair.
If you want to tell people about what I told you, I think that would be ok. But it just won't officially be announced to the public until next month." >>
I wondered, too, how long the Gene line could sustain the exponential expansion over the past 5 years before this was bound to happen when the numbers of fashions and dolls weren't more limited. I stopped collecting Gene the third year because I knew I couldn't keep up with the collecting and the stuff was too available. Even the "limited editions" are fetching depressingly low prices on ebay. Holiday Magic and King's Daughter are a couple I that I think holds their value. But I wonder if the fashions weren't starting to lose some of their creative designs, too. The most exciting development was Madra with her bendy legs and elbows--but that face DOES take getting used to. I bought one doll and one outfit of Mardras (which is it spelled?).
Well, I guess there really isn't that much difference in Gene's early history than from Barbie's, in terms of growing popularity and saturation of the market. But personally, I had always hoped A-D would've been more diligent about limiting the editions of what was produced. Even practice "sudden death" pulls of dolls and fashions. Oh, well, another day, another doll...Regards, Pat Brown ----- Original Message ----- From: Bradford ebradfrd@crosslink.net To: SuzW397026@aol.com; candichat@dolls.de Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2002 9:01 PM Subject: Re: OT - For Gene fans
I kind of expected something like this as the Gene line had expanded & expanded & some of us decided enough is enough. I've also seen a great frequency of sales on Gene inventory as if dealers are tired of carrying
her
retinue. Sorry to hear about the "Gene team's fate", but not overly surprized. Will wait to here Gene's fate... Melissa
The message below concerning Gene and Ashton Drake was forwarded to me
today.
Since I know we all collect various and sundry dolls, I thought that
those
who may not have seen or heard the rumors concerning Gene might be
interested.
Suzanne
<< In an unexpected turn of events, Ashton Drake has disbanded the Gene team. All of the former Gene team with the exception of Borum Kim are now assigned to other departments. She told me, "Everything is set for this year, Joan and I are scrambling to make things happen for the rest of the year." However, Wendy does not know what the future holds for Gene except that AD apparently does plan to keep producing the doll, maybe as a smaller line. Wendy did not know how this would effect Mel or the designers or what their future relationship with AD would be. Joan will still be a director, but will work on other projects. Wendy said they are all "shell shocked" over this.
When she emailed me today with permission to tell you guys, this is what she said,
"I spoke with Kirk about the current state of events around here, and asked him if Joan was going to have any kind of official statement or press release done up. He told me that something would be released directly after our return from Toy Fair.
If you want to tell people about what I told you, I think that would be ok. But it just won't officially be announced to the public until next month." >>
Wow...that IS surprising!
I have only got 5 Gene dolls, but I REALLY love them!
I haven't heard of any of the people mentioned (except Mel, of course) and know nothing of the 'politics' involved with AD, but I had read a lot of complaints on VHOTN Fashion Bulletin Board regarding AD and Gene from the last convention.
I hope they continue to produce her...to me, she is the 'original' 15" Fashion Doll.
Elizabeth
--- SuzW397026@aol.com wrote:
The message below concerning Gene and Ashton Drake was forwarded to me today. Since I know we all collect various and sundry dolls, I thought that those who may not have seen or heard the rumors concerning Gene might be interested.
Suzanne
<< In an unexpected turn of events, Ashton Drake has disbanded the Gene team. All of the former Gene team with the exception of Borum Kim are now assigned to other departments. She told me, "Everything is set for this year, Joan and I are scrambling to make things happen for the rest of the year." However, Wendy does not know what the future holds for Gene except that AD apparently does plan to keep producing the doll, maybe as a smaller line. Wendy did not know how this would effect Mel or the designers or what their future relationship with AD would be. Joan will still be a director, but will work on other projects. Wendy said they are all "shell shocked" over this.
When she emailed me today with permission to tell you guys, this is what she said,
"I spoke with Kirk about the current state of events around here, and asked him if Joan was going to have any kind of official statement or press release done up. He told me that something would be released directly after our return from Toy Fair.
If you want to tell people about what I told you, I think that would be ok. But it just won't officially be announced to the public until next month." >>
______________________________________________________________________ Web-hosting solutions for home and business! http://website.yahoo.ca
Gee - so maybe the Gene line is going to finish or get rarer and more expensive. I'm glad there's lots of stuff from previous years I can still get then. Hopefully the line will continue though - maybe give Gene a bit of a makeover.
Lunar
http://my.yahoo.com.au - My Yahoo! - It's My Yahoo! Get your own!
I am with you on the makeover for Gene, Lunar!
That is the one thing that has bothered me...why can't Gene's eye colour, lip colour and make-up be changed??...other fashion dolls are! (that grey eyeshadow and blue eyes, and that lipstick colour!)
Elizabeth
--- Lunarwolfess lunarwolfess@yahoo.com.au wrote:
Gee - so maybe the Gene line is going to finish or get rarer and more expensive. I'm glad there's lots of stuff from previous years I can still get then. Hopefully the line will continue though - maybe give Gene a bit of a makeover.
Lunar
______________________________________________________________________ Web-hosting solutions for home and business! http://website.yahoo.ca
I agree Elizabeth - that is why I only want about 3 Genes all up otherwise they will all look too much the same. I love some of the customised Genes I've seen with different make up and eye colours but to date I haven't been able to afford to get a OOAK.
Lunar
http://my.yahoo.com.au - My Yahoo! - It's My Yahoo! Get your own!
I love the OOAK Genes as well...she has the perfect face for customizing I think! If I bought an OOAK Gene I would be using up my doll budget for months! lol. So I haven't bought any either, although I LOVE looking!! There are so many talented artists out there.
I haven't repainted any of my Gene's...yet...but once I am more confident I plan to repaint at least one of them.
She's good for designing fashions for as well, since her size is a bit easier to work with than the smaller 11 1/2" dolls.
Elizabeth
--- Lunarwolfess lunarwolfess@yahoo.com.au wrote:
I agree Elizabeth - that is why I only want about 3 Genes all up otherwise they will all look too much the same. I love some of the customised Genes I've seen with different make up and eye colours but to date I haven't been able to afford to get a OOAK.
Lunar
______________________________________________________________________ Web-hosting solutions for home and business! http://website.yahoo.ca
Hi Elizabeth
If I ever get confident to try a little re-painting I think I'll probably try a Gene as well. Change the colour of the eyes or something.
Lunar
http://my.yahoo.com.au - My Yahoo! - It's My Yahoo! Get your own!
-
Bradford -
Elizabeth -
Lunarwolfess -
Pat Brown -
SuzW397026＠aol.com