I.C.O.G.: Gene: Thank you Miss Marshall, and thank you Mr. Odom :) (msg)

Gene: Thank you Miss Marshall, and thank you Mr. Odom :) (msg)

Posted by Vince on November 6, 2009, 3:05 pm
98.178.205.227

I just got home from the weekly grocery shopping trip, to find the letter that Mel has decided to retire Gene after 15 wonderful years.

Am I sad? Terribly. Am I surprised? Somewhat, but deep in my soul, I had a feeling there would come a day when Gene would retire, whether by Mel's decision, or the manufacturer's decision. I'm glad it came from Mel, and I respect the fact that he chose to retire Gene while she was on top. This past year has presented some of the most beautiful designs we have seen in Gene's history.
And much like the character of Gene Marshall herself, the doll is retiring while she is at the top of her game.

Gene has been, and will always be a very personal part of my life. She is a doll like no other, she is a character with a story like no other. She is the creation from a man I have the utmost respect for as an artist, and I will always be grateful to Mel for giving us Gene Marshall. I feel so grateful that I was part of Gene's professional design team for awhile, and no other doll has inspired me the way Gene has. Gene changed the face of fashion doll collecting forever, and she will never be forgotten.

And my feelings are that even though she may be retiring professionally, and no other dolls will be produced, that as long as we collectors have Gene in our homes and hearts, she will continue to live on. We will have our dolls to continue to love and enjoy, and there will be plenty of independent artists who will continue to give us fashions, accessories, furnishings and whatever else can be dreamed up for Gene's world. Gene is one of those rare creatures that inspires those who have the priviledge to meet her. And once you've met her, you never forget her, and she never lets go of your heart.

Thank you Gene, for giving us so much joy over these past 15 years, and thank you Mel for giving us this amazing doll and character. She is, and will always remain a legend.