Toy collecting goes upmarket

YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED a new breed of toys popping up in stores in trendy neighbourhoods all around Asia. Debunking the idea of toys as childhood playthings, these eye-catching miniatures have found a cult following amongst adults around the world. Enter the designer toy.

The designer toy boom is believed to have started right here in Asia. In 1997, Hong Kong’s Michael Lau started using vinyl to create his 12-inch toy characters, the Gardeners. Decked in fashionable street wear, the Gardeners were seen as unique objects that combine art, popular culture and product design.

Other Asian designers have since jumped in on the action. Hong Kong’s Jason Siu, Brothersfree and Tim Tsui began showcasing their toys at toy conventions. From Japan, Touma was discovered by toy company Toy2R, which currently markets his Knuckle Bear and Hell Hounds series. And from Singapore, Play Imaginative and Stikfas have started venturing into overseas markets with their iconic trexi and STIKFAS toys, respectively.

Toy companies also began inviting talented graphic artists to customise their toys. For example, Japan’s Shin Tanaka and Hong Kong’s Winson Ma have collaborated with Play Imaginative on designs for the trexi toy.

Toy2R founder Raymond Choy calls designer toys a “unique artistic form of expression.” Hong Kong’s Michael Lau agrees: “These are not toys; this is art.”

These toys have also become collectible items. Toy2R’s most popular design, the Qee, is available in 1300 styles. Some collectors are willing to pay high prices for limited editions. In November 2005, Tim Tsui’s REAL Bling from the Da Ape series, was sold for $1500. Just one of only three pieces produced, it had teeth made of silver and diamond.

Here are four names to look out for:

Tim Tsui (Hong Kong)

Strongly influenced by hip hop and street culture, Tim Tsui’s popular Da Ape series features a set of cool Apes sporting fashionable outfits and accessories. Bling, the main character of the series, is modelled after a tough-looking boss complete with shades and cigars.

STIKFAS (Singapore)

Simply “stick and fasten” the interchangeable body parts of the STIKFAS toys together for hours of infinite play. Since launching in 2001 with the Classic Alpha Male, these build-it-yourself action figures, founded by Ban Y. J., have become a hit around the world. The collection today includes figures such as pop stars, robots, windsurfers and samurais.

Stephen Lau (Malaysia)

A graphic designer, illustrator and musician all rolled into one, Stephen Lau has produced original designs for Play Imaginative’s trexi Coca-Cola series and Medicom Toy’s “We Support” Bearbrick. In 2006, Lau published an art book titled Fusion that featured a special edition of the six-inch Monffy figure. Since 1997, Lau has created around 500 different toys and is still going strong.

Touma (Japan)

After spending a decade drawing characters for gaming companies, Touma was discovered by toymakers Toy2R in 2002. The following year, he released the Knuckle Bear, which gained a cult following around the world. Today, there are over 40 designs – popular editions include the Waver Bear and Knuckle Bear Bone figure.