April 11-13, 2025
Livonia, Michigan

By Chef Gina of Chef Gina’s Mini Food
Photos Courtesy of Chef Gina

This past April 11-13, the Marriott in Livonia, Michigan, along with the Great Lakes Doll Club, played host to the highly anticipated 2025 Grant-A-Wish “GAW” Fund Convention. The event drew in 350 Barbie collectors from around the globe, offering a fun-filled weekend of camaraderie, creativity, and collectible fun.

A Timeless Theme

This year’s theme, Meet Me in the MI-tten, was a classic twist on Somewhere in Time. In­spired by the iconic film, it transported attend­ees to a world of nostalgia and wonder. The ticket price included an all-inclusive package: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and exclusive goodies.

Sylvia Bittner, owner of Hankie Chic, displays a selection of her doll fashion designs.
Angie Gill is the artist behind Gilly Gals.
This doll by Sebastiano Zaffalon is part of the 2025 auction.

A Weekend of Activities

The convention featured a range of activities, including:

  • Room shopping, which involved attendees going from room to room in search of their prized doll.
  • Workshops, where attendees learned new crafts and techniques from industry experts.
  • A raffle that gave attendees a chance to win exclusive Barbie collectibles.
  • A competition showcasing the Barbie collections of fel­low enthusiasts.
  • An auction filled with favorite Barbie pieces, with pro­ceeds going to charity.
The 2025 convention doll is dressed in a classic style.

Special Guests and Charity

The event was honored by the presence of Mattel designers Carlyle Nuera and Suim Noh, who delivered a speech during lunch. The auction, which raised a staggering $61,751 for char­ity, was a highlight of the weekend.

These one-of-a-kind outfits are by renowned designer Paul Bruce.
Dolls participate in competitions at the event.
The convention includes a display competition.

Exclusive Giveaways and Milestones

Attendees received a beautiful Barbie doll, repainted by the legendary Angie Gill of Gilly Gals, at the dinner event. The con­vention also celebrated several milestones:

  • Magia2000 marked their 25th anniversary.
  • Roma Fashion Doll Convention celebrated their 10th anniversary.
  • Chef Gina’s Mini Food (ChefGinas.com) commemorated their 25th anniversary.
Attendees take their seats before the convention dinner begins.
Pictured from left are Barb, Alessandro Gatti of Artist Creations, Marl of Marl & B, and Giuseppe De Bellis of Artist Creations.

A Public Salesroom

The event concluded with a salesroom open to the public, exclusively featuring Barbie collectibles and one-of-a-kind pieces from iconic designers and stores worldwide.

The 2025 convention was a resounding success, bringing together fans of Barbie and fostering a sense of community. This event truly showcased the dedication of the Great Lakes Doll Club members and the passion of Barbie collectors and enthusiasts alike.

To learn more about GAW, visit their website: gawfund.org. The 2026 convention will take place April 24-26. Tickets go fast, so be sure to get on the list. Don’t miss out on the ultimate Barbie experience!

Social media influencers enjoy their time together. From left: Alissa, Diane, Julia, and Chef Gina.