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Dollycon Special
DOLLYCON 2021 SPECIAL
D O L L Y C O N : A D A Y O F D O L L Y D E C A D E N C E
by Dress Like a Sindy Photos by Dress like a Sindy
DollyCon UK is an annual doll convention held in Lincoln that invites doll collectors , designers, artists and sellers to all meet under one roof for a day of pure dolly indulgence.
With a day packed full of exhibitions, salesrooms, seminars, competitions, lunch, supper, refreshments and, of course the chance to meet some wonderful people all with the same one thing in common: a love of dolls.
DollyConUK is held at The Showroom Conference Centre in Lincoln, East Midlands. This charity run venue is in partnership with the YMCA.
But, is DollyCon UK all it appears to be?
In a word we confirm YES! DollyCon is a day free of pretence! It's welcoming, friendly, inclusive and above all fun. It's a day when collecting dolls feels like the most normal thing in the world. Which of course it is! We believe this is down to the warm and, very approachable founder Melanie Quint. We caught up with Mel hot on the heels of the Halloween themed DollyCon 2021 for a little chat...
Mam'selle: Hello Mel, so tell us when you started collecting Sindy?
Mel: I never really started collecting as such. I had my childhood Sindy, some clothes and most of the Scene Setters. I had cut the hair on my Sindy so I set about restoring her. I bought more TLC dolls to restore and sell on - but many stayed with me, so it was not conscious collecting on my part! I did however spend more time collecting Sindy outfits and sought to get all the ones I didn’t have from 1977. That spiralled and I now have a huge collection of outfits. (Tell us about it Mel!) >>
“The very first Tonner Sindy was our exclusive DollyCon convention doll 'Spring Gala' .
MELANIE QUINT
Mam'selle: How did DollyCon come about?
Mel: DollyCon came about off the back of the business I owned at the time, Retro Dolls now known as The Doll Hair Emporium. I wanted to pull in doll collectors and use my skills from a retail and conference background to encourage face-to-face gatherings. I thought it would be a great opportunity for collectors to share their collections and learn about other dolls. That was 10 years ago now.
Mam’selle: Can you tell us a highlight from DollyCon over the years?
Mel: The biggest highlight was having convention dolls made especially for our event by Robert Tonner. And, that the very first Tonner Sindy was our convention doll! It was a very exciting year as Sindy had been away for a long, long time.
Mam'selle: Tell us when you and the team start planning Dollycon?
Mel: I am the DC team! All planning starts a year before - the ideas, research, communication etc. is done by myself alongside running The Doll Hair Emporium and being a mum to two teenage boys. I also do all the technical and pictorial requirements for my Mum’s store Sindy and Co. Thankfully, on the actual day, I get help from my family and a couple of friends.
Mam'selle: What is your most prized item and what are you lusting after?
Mel: It has to be my 1977 Active Sindy, who is my childhood doll. Also the outfits and accessories from my childhood - these are priceless. I am pretty much happy with my collection, so there’s nothing I am lusting for! >>
The DollyCon 2021 Marketplace
DOLLYCON: TOP TIPS
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE DAY
B O O K E A R L Y
Do book your ticket as early as possible as they do sell out quickly. But, don't despair! You can be added to a waiting list if there is any returns. Be sure to book supper and any other extras at this point also.
M A K E A W E E K E N D O F I T
If you can, try to stay the night of DollyCon in Lincoln - it makes for a much nicer day knowing you don't have to rush off to get a train. Many attendees stay the night before and arrange to meet up beforehand to really make a weekend of it.
GO WITH A BUDGET
Have a clear idea of what you want, what you are looking for and what you are willing to pay. It is very, very easy to overspend! As you can get swept up in the excitement of so much Sindy stuff before your very eyes and spend way more than you planned! Have a budget with some wiggle room in case you do find that Sindy 'holy grail'! Most sellers take PayPal but, cash is preferred.
PACE YOURSELF
The sellers are there all day so don't panic about missing out. You don't know what you are missing if you don't see it!
DON'T BE SHY
DollyCon is a friendly event and remember you all have the same one thing in common - that is the perfect conversation starter. Most people will be feeling just like you (nervous, excited, anxious, overwhelmed, shy).
Be Brave - and say 'hello'!
WHAT'S NEXT FOR DOLLYCON? Mam'selle: Can you tell us what's in store for DollyCon 2022?
Mel: The DollyCon 2022 theme will be Rome. This is because Lincoln is a Roman City and has the first Roman road running through it. I have also been fascinated with Ancient Rome, all the Gods and stories for a while. I thought the scope for the competitions would be huge. I like to build worlds within the convention and I know how it will look in my mind already. I like to keep all of this under wraps for maximum impact on the day.
Mam'selle: What advice would you give to a newbie coming to DollyCon for the first time?
Mel: My advice to a newbie is to speak to people who have been before and to go and have a look at the photos and videos from previous years on the DollyCon website (www.dollyconuk.co.uk). I would also say approach it with an open mind and not to worry about being singled out or being asked to do anything.
But, mostly to come along ready to do whatever they feel they want to do, as it really is YOUR convention. You will not be alone - this is a place for people who share a love of dolls!
And, amen to that.
>> BOOK NOW: Buy your tickets for DollyCon UK 2022 at Eventbrite via the link at www.dollyconuk.co.uk “One day in 2009 I had an idea… ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could all meet up to share our hobby, in person?’ So I decided to put together a convention – and Dollycon was
born.
MELANIE QUINT
Highlights from DollyCon 2021: Dolly competitions, cosplay catwalk, exhibition room, raffle table and the welcome presention.
DOLLYCON 2021: A PEEK AT SINDY STREET BY SINDY PLAY!
ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN THE DOLLYCON EXHIBITION ROOM WAS THE SINDY PLAY 1/6 SCALE 'SINDY STREET' BY KID KREATIONS & BRIDAL DESIGNER JOANNE CHAFER @THESINDYBALLETGIRL
DOLLYCON: FACTFILE
FOUNDED BY MELANIE QUINT, OWNER OF THE DOLL HAIR EMPORIUM
2009: The first event was more of a doll fair, held in a church hall. 2010: The Small is Beautiful Convention and included all dolls. 2011: Was known as The Retro Dolls Convention (after Mel's business name at the time). Also held in the Church Hall. 2012: The Retro Dolls Convention changed venues this year and was held in a local school hall and there was a sale day on the Sunday. Known as the Olympic Convention - as it was held on the same weekend that the London Olympics opened. They honoured this with lots of sporting activities, medals for comp winners and a Sindy torch relay that travelled around the country. 2013: Moved to a bigger venue at Lincoln University. This was a special year, so it was named Sindycon and Sunday was made the focus day for her 50th anniversary. A short film merging James Bond with Sindy as the iconic leading ladies and of course Paul as 007 to mark both of their 50th year. Everyone went over the University cinema and it wasd played on the big screen along with boxes of 'Sindy Popcorn. ' Jerry Reynolds from Pedigree® sent a video message and a Danbury Mint Sindy for the raffle and Robert Tonner also sent over gifts and recorded a video message. 2014: SindyCon unveiled an exclusive convention Sindy doll - made by Robert Tonner. "Spring Gala" she was limited to 100 dolls only she was the very first Tonner Sindy. Robert also sent us another video message. Denise Deane, representing Pedigree attended, and revealed the Tonner Sindy outfit prototypes - plus a preview of the next set of dolls. Jerry Reynolds from Pedigree® also sent Danbury Mint Sindy's to the writing competition winners. 2015: This year was a turning point as the convention grew and hosted more attendees than ever before. The theme was 'Up on the Catwalk' . Again, Robert Tonner made an exclusive Sindy "On the Red Carpet" for the event. 2016: The SindyCon theme was "Fantasy Land" with a superhero backdrop and dress-up. There was also a celebration to mark the 50th anniversary of Patch. 2017: DollyCon was launched. After covering so much Sindy, other dolls were reintroduced like in previous years. There was no real theme but lots of exhibits, Tonner’s other dolls, Integrity dolls and many more. It was again held at the University. 2018: Dollycon moved to its new venue The Showroom in Lincoln - which is a charity that works for the YMCA and the local homeless charity, The Nomads Trust. The current format was created this year and is the one that has been used since. There was many exhibits and Mel brought in her collection - as it had been featured on the Channel 5 programme 'Inside Hamleys' . A Patch display arranged by Karen Edmond was now a key feature at DollyCon also. 2019: This year marked the 10th Anniversary! There was a lovely celebration and they introduced the evening supper, which proved very popular. This was also the year that the six Kid Kreations Sindy Collectors Club dolls were first revealed by designer, Rachel Godfroy Scott. 2020: Unfortunately, DollyCon was cancelled due to Covid-19. 2021: Due to Covid, DollyCon was moved from its usual July date to the last weekend in October. So this year's event had a seasonal Halloween theme. 2022: Back to its July date and the theme is Rome.
