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The Mod Malibu scene |
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Time flies when you're having fun! And Tons of Fun was the catch of the day here in Denver. Highlights of Day Two's convention activities include the Shagadelic Catwalk Luncheon/Fashion Show, shopping in the sales room, and Mattel's evening program that was full of surprises!
Shagadelic Catwalk Luncheon/Fashion Show
At our first official meal function of the convention, Valerie, Negin, and I made our way to the official Ken collector table, which we were lucky enough to be invited to so kindly by Jef Beck, Mr. Man Behind the Doll himself. There, we also met our old friend Dwane Adle, and introduced ourselves to the rest of our table mates. Everyone is so incredibly nice, and right away, we were impressed with the generous and delightful gifts they gave us. All are very Mod-themed, and super cute! We even received gifts from several friends of the convention, including Joe Blitman's book Francie™ & Her Mod, Mod, Mod, Mod World of Fashion from Hobby House Press, and a limited edition fashion mannequin, perfect for trying on outfits or creating your own!
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Mod models |
While we munched on our lunch, we enjoyed the Shagadelic Catwalk Fashion Show, featuring 50 different outfits from the mod era. Collectors from across the country paraded on and off the stage, showcasing their fave fashions from the era. Many of them created their outfits from scratch, and their hard work certainly paid off. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the show! And the participants seemed to be having a ball! Among the mod fashions, we saw some of our favorites like Groovy 60's, Swing In Silver, and Patio Party.
Barbara Schweizer
in Smasheroo |
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Collector Barbara Schweizer thrilled the crowd when she arrived on the happenin' scene in a groovy reproduction of Smasheroo, another of our favorites from the era. She looked simply smashing, Baby! |
We also loved the fabulously furry look of Plush Pony, as modeled by Robin Justice. This was a real crowd pleaser as well. Loved it! |
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Robin Justice in Plush Pony |
Don Meindl models
Brown on Brown fashion |
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Collector Don Meindl got a special shout out from our table when he strutted his stuff on stage, wearing a reproduction of Jef Beck's favorite fashion Brown On Brown. He looked quite dashing, if we do say so! Don definitely knew how to work it on the runway! |
And what Mod fashion show would be complete without the lovely Jump Into Lace fashion? Collector Carla Revell looked absolutely darling in her lacey reproduction as she smiled and posed for the cameras. |
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Carla Revell wearing
Jump Into Lace |
Christine Julien models
No Bangs Francie |
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Also wowing the crowd was Christine Julien, who strutted her stuff in a mod mini dress as No Bangs Francie. She looked sensational, and so sassy! Way to go, Christine! |
Towards the end of the fashion show, we were treated to a very special surprise. Several children involved with Angels Unaware, this year's convention charity, modeled Mod outfits their families had made for them. This was the first year in convention history that children have participated in the fashion show, and their presence truly touched us all! Clearly the star of the show was a darling 8 year-old girl named Carmen who positively beamed for the crowd as she walked across the catwalk in her groovy getup. She was absolutely adorable, and there wasn't a dry eye in the place as she made her way down the stage.
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Little Carmen on the catwalk |
After the fashion show, Liz Krenek gave a tribute to Barbie visionary Ruth Handler, and in honor of her memory presented a check from Mattel to Angels Unaware, a charity organization which provides support for families living with HIV and AIDS. We then heard a very moving speech given by a woman named Arte Banks, little Carmen's adoptive mother, and someone who has experienced first hand the incredible support that organizations like Angels Unaware provide. First she made us laugh, then we were all crying again by the end of her very touching speech. We applaud your efforts, Arte!
After the fashion show, we spent the afternoon perusing the salesroom, meeting collectors, and looking for doll deals!The variety of dolls and fashions available here is amazing! We haven't bought anything ... yet. I'll keep you posted!
Mattel Program
The final fun activity of Day Two was the Mattel program, which was full of fabulous surprises! We all gathered in the main dining room, which had been redecorated in groovy mod style! Large white lamps hung from the ceiling while mod-style flowers decorated the walls and tables. To kick things off, Malibu Barbie® and Ken® models who SO looked the part took to the stage. Liz Krenek joined them, sharing several collectors' Malibu memories that had recently been submitted to the Malibu section of BarbieCollector.com. The crowd enjoyed listening to other people's doll memories, many which sounded familiar. After all, I think all of us took Malibu Barbie® to the beach to work on our tan! Or took the Malibu gang in the country camper on one adventure after another!
Liz then surprised the audience with an impromptu doll raffle. Collector Victoria Jackson of Aurora, Colorado won 12 Barbie Collector dolls from the 2003 Line. Congratulations, Victoria! |
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Raffle winner Victoria Jackson onstage
with Malibu model |
Tablemates Dwane, Jack,
and I love Malibu Barbie! |
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After that, we danced the night away to the sounds of a live band, and to top off a fabulously fun Day Two, Mattel presented everyone in attendance with a convention-exclusive Malibu Barbie® gift bag featuring a Malibu Barbie doll with a special monogrammed beach towel commemorating the 22nd Annual Barbie Convention. |
And that wraps up Day Two at the convention. We're all having tons of fun, and can't wait to see what happens tomorrow at the Doll Competition and the Summer of Love dinner dance. Stay tuned for more mod adventures, coming soon!
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