I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
Such sad news, I heard it yesterday. Couldn't believe it....but sadly it is true.
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I mostly knew them from shopping in my room and seeing their pleasant smiles in the halls at Barbie convention and GAW. They were so talented and helped raise so much for charity. In 2022, they were looking at a specific thing in my room and said they may be back after their artist party - which they then invited me to! I don't collect OOAKs so I didn't go, though I thanked them for inviting me. I will miss those pleasant smiles.
Previous Message
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I mostly knew them from shopping in my room and seeing their pleasant smiles in the halls at Barbie convention and GAW. They were so talented and helped raise so much for charity. In 2022, they were looking at a specific thing in my room and said they may be back after their artist party - which they then invited me to! I don't collect OOAKs so I didn't go, though I thanked them for inviting me. I will miss those pleasant smiles.
Previous Message
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I am so glad you have such happy memories. They will be greatly missed by the doll community.
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
I remember first encountering them in Chicago in 2004. I was on my way back to my room at the convention. I was trying to find my mom but she wasn't answering her phone. Finally, I located her coming off the elevator with these two guys from Italy who were doll designers. I didn't know them. They didn't know me. But we all knew my mom and that seemed to be enough. We were all friends from that point on.
We met up every year after that when we all attended convention. It was a yearly right of passage. As the collecting community changed and the members changed too, Mario and Gianni stayed constant. They were among our favorite parts of convention for both my mom and me.
When I returned to the convention scene in 2022 after my mom's passing, they mourned her with me. We toasted that fact that we were seeing each other in Chicago - the same city and hotel where we first met. While I didn't stay for that entire convention, meeting with them and learning how much her friendship meant to both of them gave me a lift in a time when I needed it the most.
Over the years we'd talk about the dolls my mom and I bought from them, going back to the early years when what was to come from them was only a hazy concept in their imaginations. They knew what they wanted to create. Were confident in what they could do. They just needed time. Their dolls, no matter when I bought them, have always been among the most treasured in my collection.
I also keep thinking about Friday night at this year's convention. I had my bid spotter fan and had positioned myself behind the higher end live auction dolls, with the two new volunteers further down. Mario came over and told me I looked "too mean" and that I needed to smile. That I had a beautiful smile. I laughed and reminded him of what I was doing. He told me I could just hit them with the fan like women did in the movies. That made me laugh harder and when I was done, he was smiling too. Then he said "See? I told you. A beautiful smile on a beautiful woman." We talked briefly about meeting up again in Houston in September at a special Houston Doll Society event. Then he was off to his table.
Ed and I ran into him and Gianni when we were leaving on Sunday morning. They were so warm and welcoming to Ed. Kind of left him befuddled but he understood why I liked them both. Left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
This is their doll for the live auction in Louisville just a few weeks ago. The one I was guarding before dinner. Make sure no one touched. The one where I had to be position to see the bids for a specific but anonymous bidder. Because Mario, Gianni, and the bidder knew that I would make sure the bidder won. No matter what.
The last doll they would create for the NBDCC.
I just can't wrap my head around this.
What I can say is that I've made sure to seek out my convention friends on Facebook. The ones I always mean to connect with but never do. Cord. Johnny. Heather. Melissa. So many others. We are a subset community of the larger Barbie community. We've shared so many memories. Memories that involve Mario and Gianni. I don't want to go another day without connecting with my friends. Because it's tearing out my heart that two of my friends are gone and really and truly believed that I'd see them again in September.
This site is dedicated in honor of collecting the Barbie doll, her family and friends. Disclaimer: This site in no way is affiliated with Mattel Toys or Barbie Collector. Disclaimer: In The Pink is not sponsored by or affiliated with PinkFriday.org.
We are an independent Barbie and family doll collector. Views expressed are independent. Enjoy collecting for the love of the hobby. ITP is sponsored by NBOS Software, 18Rabbit Software, and Easily Distracted Designs.
Previous Message
This site is dedicated in honor of collecting the Barbie doll, her family and friends. Disclaimer: This site in no way is affiliated with Mattel Toys or Barbie Collector. Disclaimer: In The Pink is not sponsored by or affiliated with PinkFriday.org.
We are an independent Barbie and family doll collector. Views expressed are independent. Enjoy collecting for the love of the hobby. ITP is sponsored by NBOS Software, 18Rabbit Software, and Easily Distracted Designs.