For the 2nd year in a row, STRANGEco made the trek east to exhibit with a double-wide booth filled with Designer Toys of all kinds. As with last year's show, we were in the middle of the boutique toy aisle, which this time featured a dozen of the most prominent producers, artists and distributors currently operating. The results were the same as last year, only bigger: the aisle highlighted a real focal point of creativity in the toy industry and became a magnet for underground artists, lifestyle press, fans and industry spies alike.

2005 is appearing to be the year it all breaks wide. With the level of media attention, not to mention the palpable excitement in the aisle, it looks like a lot of people are trying to figure out what this strange thing is all about. Get ready, gentle and discerning reader: there's going to be a lot of toys of varying quality on the market in 2005.

The dust has now settled on the show, so we've organized a report-back on the moveable feast of artists, producers, magazine writers, retail shopowners, manufacturers and drunk fanboys that made up our weird world of Toy Fair. Enjoy!


STRANGEco ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
With a focus on our distribution brand, your humble narrators had a 20-foot booth in the center of the boutique toy aisle, directly across from Critterbox and next to SEEN's Phoney Baloney. Showcasing over a dozen product lines, our booth was deceptively full of products - including Friends With You, The Superfun Company and their new Ramones Toxic Teddies, Wootini's limited edition vinyls by Jermaine Rogers and Scott Musgrove, new 6-inch Circus Punks (produced by STRANGEco and the Circus Punks crew), I.W.G. including the new Dead Human Booster Packs, plus plenty of new products from Amos Novelties.

As far as our own brand, we showcased a new MARS-1 figure in a limited Red colorway, the Neo Kaiju Project, and we unveiled the production sculpt of the next figure by MARS-1. More STRANGEco products will be unveiled over the course of the next few months as well.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view
click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view

 

Adfunture Workshop
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shanghai was in the house and was represented well with a series of new toys with a strong European street art feel. Special mention to the new Teddy Troops, Fafi girls and especially Doma's Jesus astronaut. The Passion of the Astrochrist is sure to turn a couple of heads.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Medicom
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In their first appearance at Toy Fair, Medicom made us all feel like kids in the candy store. In addition to a huge array of Be@rbricks, Medicom had a full case of 12-inch figures from their Real Action Heroes series and the seeds of a growing home and apparel line.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view

Phoney Baloney
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Seen's homage to the New York Police force is even funnier than NYPD Blue. We're particularly big fans of the full set with its Candyland-style game board. Phoney Baloney's booth was an event in itself, with a 7-foot pig leaning against a street pole that was tagged by every artist that came through.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Toy Tokyo
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
In addition to throwing a very nice party on Friday night, Toy Tokyo was on hand promoting their Tsunami Relief Raffle and showcasing some new products. They revealed the nicest new vinyl on display at the show - Nosferatu, designed by Futura and produced by Jakuan of 360 Toy Group.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Rock America
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
While Attaboy was back in SF working on the upcoming Hi-Fructose magazine, Bunnywith creator Alex Pardee and Rock America owner Skip Moriarity held it down with the help of a both life-size bunny plush and scantily clad bunny girl.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Kidrobot
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kidrobot's furry booth featured a number of new Dunny projects, Dalek originals and upcoming prototypes. Excited about the giant Gorillaz figures (word from above is that the final production pieces are going to be even taller) and Kozik's Mao Dunny. Kidrobot hosted a party themselves on Tuesday night, complete with sitar player.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


UFO Toys
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
DIY man Ralph Cosentino set up shop with the very cool Kaiju Kidz figures and a few other products - STRANGEco's personal favorite is the plush Kebukai - the monkey butt is a nice touch.

click for large view click for large view


Critterbox
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Very professional-looking booth from the boys down south. Check out Baseman's Fire Water Bunnies - a great example of mini figures done right. Another personal favorite is the Drinky Crow Jack in the Box, which plays Drunken Sailor when the crank is turned.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Wheaty Wheat
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Wheaty Wheat had a very promising booth, with a lot of nice things going on - Joe Ledbetter's toys are particularly noteworthy; check the fire from the red critter's mouth.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view


Other stuff in the aisle
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
We didn't get a chance to photograph everything but the complete listing includes: Switcherz and their hood ornament toys, Metago with Gary Lo's Honey B, the Drastic Plastic crew and newcomer Toyomart. For a more complete breakdown, check SEEN's toy fair coverage, too.

click for large view click for large view


Fringe Makes the Party
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Master Replicas have finally made the lightsabers you always wanted as an eight year old. STRANGEco traded for two, and life in Strangeland will never be the same; Lionel Trains showed us their new Large Scale Cab Forward locomotive; Playmobil's display held some inspiration; special shout to the Duncan Yo-Yo champions,who cruised by STRANGEco not once, but twice; No trip to NYC was complete that week without a view of The Gates in Central Park.

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view

 

Toy Fair wasn't the half of it - parties abounded for the art toy crew, thrown by a host of folks around town - check out the photos from Toy Tokyo's party, the James Jarvis in-store appearance at Yoyamart, AdFunture's retrospective at Gigantic Brand and a night of snow and beer at the Botanica bar in Nolita. Kid Robot threw a very nice party as well, with sitar and tablas accompanying the merriment. Many thanks to these fine hosts!


James Jarvis at Yoyamart
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view
click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view

People and Parties
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view
click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view click for large view
click for large view click for large view click for large view