Long-time doll dealer and show promoter Marl Davidson. owner of Marl & B recently spoke with your Guide about life as a doll dealer and doll show promoter. Marl has been a doll dealer for over eighteen years. Her introduction to dolls was when she started collecting Madame Alexander for her daughter Kimee and got then introduced to the Cabbage Patch dolls. Marl thought they were so cute, and I found myself in the middle of the craze. In the midst of all of that commotion, someone offered me a small, yet impressive Barbie collection. I had heard a great deal about Barbie and had a real good feeling about her. So, Marl bought the small collection of Barbies, and the rest is history! From that point on (about thirteen years ago) Marl became a doll dealer specializing in modern and vintage Barbie. However in the last few years Marl has expanded her line to include Gene, Tyler Wentworth, Willow and Daisy, Chatty Cathy, Candi and other modern fashion dolls which have been part of the recent fashion doll renaissance. Marl is a collector as well as a dealer and her favorite dolls are designer Barbies and Genes. Marl says that these dolls are her favorites because each has their own charm and personality. Some of my favorite designers are Ivan Burton, Mark Middendorf, Charles Josef, Charles Mo, Melissa Windham, Bruce Nygren, James Bogue, David Escobedo, Morito, Kathy Moreau, and Bobby Taylor. However, if Marl could only have ONE doll in her collection, the doll she would pick would be a pristine #1 brunette with bright red lips and pink skin.

Address: 10301 Braden Run, Bradenton, FL 34202
Telephone: 941-751-6275
Fax: (941) 751-5463
Website: http://www.marlbe.com/