This month I took Kitty to a special “Afternoon Tea Time” event at the Ohio National Doll Show. The title was, “From Clay to AI, the Changing Landscape of Doll Design.” In the center of the table were special gifts for everyone courtesy of Rachel Hoffman and Virtual Doll Convention. Each guest received a t-shirt and boots for a 16” fashion doll and other trinkets. A small paper box shaped like a teapot held chocolate candy. Everything looked so sweet and appealing.
The guest of honor was legendary doll designer, Robert Tonner. He had prepared a selection of fantastical images to showcase the potential of AI as a doll design tool. The theme was, “Wonderland Gala.” He used computer-generated art to imagine what the fictional characters Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy of Oz would look like if they were all grown up and attending a ball together. Many of their storybook friends would be there, too, like Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Glinda the Good Witch, Jack Horner, Miss Muffet and more. The images he shared, generated by a software program called Midjourney, were gorgeous and detailed.
Kitty posed next to a teacup as she watched the presentation. She could appreciate the high-tech nature of AI, being a 3D printed doll herself.
One lucky lady at our table won this beautiful “Garden Variety” Ellowyne Wilde doll by Robert Tonner as a door prize.
And we all got an extra special surprise from Robert Tonner… a brand new 16” Lacie Churchill fashion doll, wearing “Bold Statement.”
Of course, after having such a lovely time at the tea, Kitty decided to organize her own Benefit Gala for the Hittys. They all put on their best dresses. Hitty Sis wore a sleeveless gold satin ball gown, Hitty Cleo had a gold lamé sheath dress and Kitty wore a white satin gown trimmed with lace at the hemline.
Can you guess who the guest of honor was? In walked Lacie Churchill, wearing a stunning mermaid dress of golden satin with an attached cape and black opera gloves.
The girls were a bit in awe of her beauty at first, but after talking with Lacie, they found that she was very down-to-earth and humble. Lacie was just promoted to CEO of International Movie Studio “MoMax.” She had many stories to share about all the celebrities she had met.
The Benefit Gala was a great success. The Hittys are now friends with Lacie. After seeing Kitty’s book, she promised to put them in contact with producers to discuss a possible movie version of A Tale of Two Hittys. How exciting!
