Mari Richards | Mrax, a Galoompagalot | Deigned for Manhattan Toy | Fabric, Polyester Fiberfill, PE Pellets, Coated Wire | 2005

THE DESIGNS
Manhattan Toy designs imaginative, high-end gifts for children. Toy designers at Manhattan Toy are often focusing on a combination of traditional play patterns combined with trends in the toy market, the gift market, and general lifestyle trends. Usually, it is a combination of outside research and inside decisions regarding the current product line's strengths and weaknesses.
  
THE AUDIENCE
Manhattan Toy sells nationally and internationally to gift and specialty stores. Lilydoll is still sold in Europe, but has been discontinued in the US. Galoompagalots and Ragtails are still available for purchase both online and in stores. Local stores include department stores like Nordstrom's, gift stores like Patina or the Bibelot Shop, and toy stores like Creative Kidstuff. A select group of certain items is also available at Target.

THE PROCESS
Designers begin by researching, brainstorming and concept drawing. Then, the department presents ideas to a selected group within Manhattan Toy. When that is approved, a designer creates a series of detailed specification sheets that include several views of the item, palette, any print patterns, measurements, construction notes, and fabric swatches if appropriate. This package is sent to one of our vendors overseas, who translate the drawings into three-dimensional patterns and samples. Usually, the first sample needs several rounds of revisions. That process can take anywhere from 4 months up to a year.

Galoompagalots
I saw a need for a series of lovable monsters because no one else was tackling this classic kid-focused idea in cut and sew. Mrax became the largest of a collection of seven designs.