For 2007, Modern Doll, Inc. and Tonner Company, Inc. developed the first Fashion Doll Runway Competition.

The Challenge was to redesign the 2006 Tonner Event Souvenir Doll - "Opening Night Sydney" - using at least one-third (1/3) of her original costume (not counting the shawl or shoes).

Contestants were allowed to reroot, repaint, rewig, or otherwise manipulate the original doll, and to dye, embroider, bead, twist, tear, drape, or rework the costume in any manner, but one-third of the new design had to be recognizable as part of the original costume.

Thirteen dolls were initially submitted for the initial, on-line, portion of the contest, but two were unavailable for the final walk down the Runway - we are still investigating whether aggressive campaigning from the other contestants, travel difficulties, stage fright, or perhaps obtaining more lucrative offers prevented their attendance.

On Friday, September 21st, the 11 dolls in attendance walked the runway in front of a crowded room full of convention attendees and a panel of three judges - Robert Tonner and Tom Cortney from Tonner Co., Inc. and Debra DeForte of Wilde Imagination. They focused on designers use of creativity in making a new look using the original costume. Tom Cortney also served as Emcee for the event.

After judging, the dolls were all presented in a Silent Auction with all proceeds benefiting the charity Childsafe of San Antonio.

All participants donating dolls recieved a free replacement doll in addition to any prizes won.

The winning doll from the Internet voting portion of the contest was
Ole! By Marie deSoto

The designer won a free registration for the 2008 Modern Doll Collector's Convention® in Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Janelle Marker's Cocktail Dress design took first place in the Runway portion of the competition, and a cash prize of $300

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Second place went to Sandra Cogdill's "Sydney as Vegas Showgirl", along with a prize of $125

After awarding these prizes, the judges admitted to being in a deadlock for third place, and chose to award the prize $50 to both entries: Midnight Blossom by Alexandra Machado

And

Fantasy Garden Fairy by Helene Stephens