Tokyo a la Mode. Web Magazine for Japanese Fashion and Urban Culture

Uglycon

By Bobby / Dec 13, 2006
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On a drizzly Los Angeles night, fans lined up outside the GR2 store on Sawtelle for a unique celebration.  Uglycon celebrated the fifth birthday of Wage, the first Uglydoll and the opening of an art show featuring work by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim, the creators of Uglydoll.  And just as no one thinks of rain when you mention Los Angeles, no one thinks of ugly when you mention Uglydolls.

These cute monster plushies have become an indie toy success story.  It all started when Horvath wrote to his wife who was away in Korea and added a comic drawing in the letters.  That simple drawing became a handmade Christmas gift we now know as Wage, the very first Uglydoll.  Horvath showed the doll to Eric Nakamura of Giant Robot and a mini-toy empire was launched.  In 2006, the toys were awarded the Specialty Toy of the Year award by the Toy Industry of America.  And Wage is now joined by ugly friends by the names of Wedgehead, Chuckanucka, Ice-Bat, Jeero and plenty more.

The Uglycon art show featured handmade originals that quickly sold out at $70 each.  The festivities included a costume show and a presentation on the history of the Uglydoll.  David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim were also there to meet their fans of all ages.  You can check out the show at GR2 through Jan. 17.  For more information, go to: www.gr2.net

LINK: Uglydoll website