There’s nothing childish about these fully poseable, anatomically correct dolls, known by serious collectors as ABJD – Asian Ball Joint Dolls. Handcast from resin, which give them a life-like, almost porcelain look, they look wonderfully ethereal in photographs. The fun lies in customizing your “blank basic” (which costs anywhere from $100-400) by choosing eyes, hairstyles, designer clothes, even tattoos and piercings…the possibilities are endless.
Ball-joint dolls have been around for ages, but fans favor those manufactured by Japanese company Volks. Collectors usually own several of these beauties, including replicas of celebrities, or even idealized versions of themselves. Depending on your sense of aesthetic, it would be cool – or creepy – to get one as a present. My favorite ones are the edgy, gothic little lolitas that resemble rockstars, vampires, and elves.
Very few of these companies have physical shops. There’s very little advertising, and the hobby’s legion of enthusiasts are attracted largely by word-of-mouth, or by stumbling around on the web looking for photographs. The first ever ABDJ Convention in Southeast Asia, The Doll Affair, will be held in Singapore on December 29.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Customizable Dolls for Adults
- The rising demand for highly customizable dolls provides opportunities for manufacturers to invest more in innovative materials and technologies like 3D printing to create unique, personalized dolls and to extend their market in adult stores.
- Niche Collectibles
- As people demand more individualized and highly-specialized items, businesses can tap into the large market of niche collectibles by exploring unique and highly customizable products that cater to their goals, personality, or brand preference.
- Online Marketplaces for Rare Collectibles
- As this industry is mainly word-of-mouth, building an online presence and marketplace for rare collectibles can bring convenience to customers, encourage trading and collectability, and solve the physical distribution problem of highly specialized products.
Sectors Adopting This
- Toy Industry
- The toy industry can capitalize on the demand for dolls in wider audiences beyond children and innovate their current offerings to create unique and highly customizable dolls to attract collectors and enthusiasts.
- 3D Printing Industry
- The advancements in 3D printing technologies can provide a more customized and efficient way of manufacturing dolls and other collectibles that are unique and personalized to customers’ preferences.
- Retail Industry
- Retail stores can expand their offerings to cater to collectors and the niche market of customizable dolls and create specialized stores or sections for highly specific items for collectors and enthusiasts.
