Modern Doll Collectors Convention is an annual convention that is held in different cities throughout the United States (2020 is in Oklahoma City). There are so many amazing artists and types of dolls at MDCC each year, but this post is going to focus solely on the Little Darling Dolls, and all the types of events and activities you can experience with them. There are three main Little Darling experiences to be had: the sales room, the Little Darling meal event, and the Little Darling Fashion Gala. When time and the schedule allow, there is also sometimes a Doll Dreamers Get Together late in the evening after the sales room closes.
Dianna Effner and her Doll Dreamer's Guild bring a lot of joy to convention each year. Artists Helen Skinner, Gwen Peard, Nelly Valentino, Lee-Anne Carpenter, Magalie Dawson, Patty Green, Joyce Matthews, and Lana Dobbs were all in attendance last year. The first great opportunity a collector will have to meet all these wonderful artists is in the Sales Room on the first night of convention. They always bring a beautiful display table full of dolls, and you are absolutely spoiled for choice as to which Little Darling you want to bring home. If you want to see the Sales Room from last year, you can check out this video I made (it has more than Little Darlings, but will give you a great idea of what to expect). During this time, you will be able to talk to the artists, get to know them a bit, and maybe even take your picture with them! This is also the perfect opportunity to check out all of the entries for the Little Darling Fashion Gala, and vote on your favorite for the People's Choice Award. They will be on display in the sales room for the duration of the convention.
Here are a few pics from last year's Sales Room:
The meal event is also very exciting! Each year, the Artists prepare a surprise doll to be unveiled at the end of dinner. The dinner event starts with a delicious meal, and afterwards, Dianna and her artists share a story about the doll that is going to be unveiled. Last year's doll was based on Princess Irene from The Goblin And The Princess. Here are photos of the food, the pamphlet that was given out at the meal event, and the event doll. You can also check out my video of the doll reveal here.
Another very exciting part of the meal event is the centerpiece doll. The centerpiece dolls are much more limited, and there is one in the center of each table as you come into the room. In order to purchase one of the centerpiece dolls, you have to put your name into a drawing. At the end of the meal, names are drawn for the opportunity to purchase these dolls. They are a separate purchase but they are so exquisite and they are all hand painted by Dianna. Here is last year's centerpiece doll:
The next big Little Darling event that occurs is the Little Darling Fashion Gala. This event is extremely important to MDCC because it is the heart of the show. Talented fashion designers create stunning outfits for Little Darlings, and they donate their time, expertise, and materials to making a beautiful doll. These dolls are then walked down the fashion show runway, and attendees can bid on the dolls. All proceeds from this event go to St Jude's Children's Hospital. This event is not only loads of fun, but it goes to a great cause and you have the opportunity to take home a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece Little Darling Doll. There are usually 12 entries each year, so you have plenty of opportunity to choose one that you really want to bid on. Here are all of last year's fabulous entries:
When time allows, there is a Doll Dreamers get together, usually late at night after the sales room closes. This is a more intimate gathering of Dianna Effner and her Doll Dreamers Guild, plus collectors of Little Darling Dolls. This is the opportunity to ask questions of the artists, and find out about any plans they have upcoming. It's a lot of fun to be in a room with a lot of fellow collectors and some of our favorite artists. While time does not allow for this event every year, it is something to look forward to if the schedule will allow it.
So how does one go to MDCC? It's easy! All you need to do is go to the website here and register to attend. Registration cost is $175, and the Little Darling meal event this year is $305. The doll each year is a surprise, but we do know that this year's Little Darling's name is Abigail! You can choose to be an attendee or an absentee, but attending in real life is so much fun because you get to meet all of the artists and fellow collectors. We hope you'll join us this year in Oklahoma City! Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about MDCC at all, and I'll be more than happy to answer them.
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