When we arrived at Kennedy Airport, our first impression was “Huh? Did New York cool down this year?”

Usually we brace ourselves for the blast of annoying hot air that says “without a doubt, we’ve reached New York!” – but somehow right from the start this was a refreshing New York.

Without even thinking I cried out “oh, thank god!” inside by head.

This year we had some free time again on the day before the event, so the participating staff had the unexpected bonus of sightseeing in New York.

So we went to Ellis Island, and to see the Statue of Liberty. Of course we rode in New York’s famous double-decker buses. The wind on our faces, cooling us down, was wonderful.

At Ellis Island, we were deeply moved by the feeling that we were looking at the origins of America, that we were touching the history of immigration through the actual buildings and items on display there.

We also learnt about the Statue of Liberty’s significance and the history of her being built for the first time since coming here, and the strong emotions we felt ran rampant inside us.

While we were there, we ate a delicious lunch.

The day we opened the event in New York, of course the sweltering heat returned.

From first thing in the morning the temperature continued to steadily increase.

What the…! Apparently that day New York was visited with a record-setting temperature.

Perhaps the heat of New York Dolpa might have had some influence on it, hmm?

After all, on that first morning

Our customers had already formed a substantial queue at the entryway!

And the two day festival had begun!

Once again many SD fans together with their favourite SD came rushing in to the FIT Hall.

Of course there were fans from nearby New York state, and from California state on the far side of America, and…

“Eh? Toronto? What state is that in?” I thought and then realized, it was in Canada! We were international, weren’t we!

First of all, the reception desk!
Everyone, hold on tight to your documents, we’re ready to begin. When you reach the reception, you exchange your documents for a whole lot of new documents.

Your Dolpa Booklet, your questionnaire, your One-Off Model application ticket, your Auction bidding ticket, and more! No wonder your hands are suddenly full!

You’ll need these to fully enjoy the next two days, so make sure you don’t lose them!

On the first day, from 10am, the Tenshi no Sumika LA official tour edition opened a special order counter for Full Choice System orders.

This is usually a service that’s only available if you visit a Tenshi no Sumika store, and the number of eagerly awaiting customers was so huge, that when the evening Dinner Party began, the waiting list was still going on.

It will be many months yet before the SD born in New York will be delivered to America.

Please be ready to greet them when they arrive!

This time, there was a little change to the dinner menu from last year… and that was cake!

This year, for our sweet SD fans, we were able to prepare plenty of sweet, delicious cakes!

Such adorable cakes that you could never hope to lay eyes on in Japan; they brought smiles even to the faces of the Volks staff members!

The FDQ booth was decorated with a huge version of the current FDQxVolks special issue cover page.

And in the exhibition booth was the special models that had been published in the special issue…! FDQ’s limited edition “SD13 Irvin”, as well as the “SD16 Jewels, the Black and White Swans”, and the special models from our Full Choice System that represented the fairy world.

These special models, prepared in Japan and brought along with us, received many incredibly warm comments from all of the participating guests.

Thank you so much, all of you!
It’s wonderful encouragement for everyone in the doll planning department!

Next up, FDQ’s editor-in-chief, Pat Henry, was at last able to debut her newest project in front of everyone.

This is the FDQ Bracelet, with the FDQxVolks special issue recorded within!

This bracelet has a USB memory card inside it, on which is housed the data of many beautiful SD pictures, SD16 dress patterns designed by the doll planning department designers, and much more.

Not only is it a magazine, you can also enjoy it as a piece of fashion itself! It’s wonderful!

When everyone had finished eating their dinner, the unveiling of the Memorial One-Off Models and the Auction Models began.

This time for Dolpa in NY3, a full group of 12 SDs came from Japan.

The Auction Model was SD16 Madoka, with makeup done by the makeup artist aone.

Clothed in a mermaid dress designed by outfit creators Pure Drop, she was the picture of elegance as she made her entrance before everyone. Even our American SD fans were fascinated by our first One Off Model appearing as a Mermaid!

A huge queue formed for the One Off Models!

Everyone lined up in an orderly fashion, their hands gripping tightly to their digital cameras, and their application tickets.

Seeing this for the first time, even the Volks staff were amazed!

Slowly the line progressed, and everyone became so serious and intent as they came closer to having the One Off Models directly before them. Carefully, determinedly, staring at the One Offs…. and then voting.

One group of fans begged “Please extend the voting time!” with such enthusiasm that the request reached the president, and the voting time was extended.

Thank you so much to those lucky fans who received their hoped-for One Off Models.

Please take care of them forever more!

And to the One Off SDs who have found such wonderful owners… good luck! All of the Volks staff are looking forward to meeting you again at another Dolpa!

And so began the raffle for the presents. Hold on tight to those numbered tickets you received from the reception desk, and pay close attention to the winning numbers that the president is drawing out of the box!

In commemoration of the Super Dollfie 10th Anniversary, we gave away things such as towels embroidered with Megu and Komame as presents.

And the long awaited SeiTenshi and ReiTenshi!

A huge congratulations to those of you who had the good fortune to become Tenshi owners this time! The Volks staff members who came from Japan were truly amazed and deeply moved by the obviously delight and joy that you expressed as new owners. Please take good care of them forever more.

And then the raffle, too, was over.

The time had now come for all those that we had brought from Japan to leave for their new homes, now that their owners had been decided.

And so our farewells for the day were said, and filled with the president’s feelings of gratitude, we gave out the Super Dollfie 10th Anniversary commemorative Megu and Komame button set to our fans.

Thank you so much, everyone, for the first day of Dolpa!
We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow, full of spirit!

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