It seems, wherever you go these days, if you pop into a cool designer shop, you’ll see the fabulous Momiji Dolls. They’re absolutely everywhere. In just about every major city in the world, sitting happily ready to be bought and given a new home. They come in so many different sizes, colours, it’s impossible not to have a favourite. We wanted to find out more about how it all started, so we asked Momiji co-founder and mother Claire Rowlands. Here’s what she had to say…
How was the momiji brand born?
The Momiji story began back in 2005 when we created our first collection of 12 message dolls; these days it’s difficult to remember life before Momiji, it has become our world!
We have a little office in Henley in Arden in Warwickshire and from here we work with great designers from all over the world to produce our collections.
Our inspiration comes from lots of different places; in the beginning we were heavily influenced by our trips to Tokyo and Seoul. These days we have developed much more of a global aesthetic.
The brand has evolved now, so as well as dolls we also have a range of wonderful stuff for the home, personal accessories and stationery too.
What’s been the best moment in momiji history?
That’s a tricky one. I always love the moment when we get a doll back from the sculptors and you see a new character in 3D for the first time.
This year we where very honoured when Gwen Stefani invited us over to LA to be part of a party she hosted to raise funds for families and children affected by the Tsunami in Japan. A Momiji painting and customisation workshop formed part of the event so it was really special for us.
I think the most emotional moment for me was when we ran a textile competition and asked people to make a fabric version of a Momiji doll. It seemed like such a big challenge and for weeks I felt sick with worry that nobody would enter! Then the entries started to arrive and each day the postman would arrive with armfuls of packages from around the world. Each one contained a handmade doll, everyone had put so much love and energy into them. I was completely overwhelmed to see how much people have embraced the brand. That was a top moment for me.
How many momiji dolls have ever been made to date?
We’re at almost 160 designs now and there are plenty more great releases arriving in the new year. We have an archive of all the designs we’ve done on our website, you can see them all here
What is the newest momiji arrival?
We recently launched a special limited edition trio in association with Sanrio to celebrate their 50th anniversary. We only made 500 pieces worldwide so they’re pretty rare.
What have you got in the pipeline for the future?
So much stuff from dolls to accessories and cool stuff for your home. Our new dolls are top secret right now but if you follow us on facebook and twitter you’ll be the first to know!
You’ll find us on Facebook as ‘Momiji HQ’ and you can follow our tweets on @MomijiHQ.
Competition
If you would like to win an incredible £75 to spend on Momiji Dolls and everything else Momiji, all you have to do is leave is a comment below stating:
Who you would like to send a momiji doll to and why?
Tip: That person, could be your closest friend or family member or someone famous who you think is a legend! Have fun, be creative!
Entries close Monday 12th Dec 11.59pm (GMT) and we will pick one winner at random, so there is enough time to spend your hard earned £75 on christmas presents if you so wish!
Good luck!
Extra Extra – more stuff to win!
Don’t forget to checkout the Facebook Momiji Page and enter another Momiji competition to win a Kindle + 6 Momiji Dolls!
![[Post to Twitter]](http://www.alwaysthinkin.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
December 7th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I would like to send momiji doll to my daughter at the Uni. She used to love the Hello Kitty when she was kid.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I would love to give a Momiji doll to my gorgeous daughter Sara. Like me, she loves all things Japanese and as she has been feeling a little down recently I think one of these would really help to cheer her up. Sara is missing her nan a lot (my mother) who sadly is no longer with us but also loved all things Japanese and would have adored these little dolls.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:24 pm
I would love to give one of the new Momiji dolls to my daughter as she is a big Hello Kitty fan – she’s only 4 but I know she’d treasure it. There’s a little Angel/Princess Momiji that I’m ordering for her, fingers crossed it’s here for Christmas!
December 7th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
i would love to give one to my grandaughter,
then i could send extra ones for a her to collect on her birthday.
December 7th, 2011 at 4:53 pm
I would send them to my friends in thailand, they love cute things
December 7th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
i would love to win one they are so cute and would look lovely in my study
December 7th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
I would get one for my BF (he wouldn’t mind displaying one!)
December 7th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
I’ve always loved them, so I’d love to win some for my room. They look so happy! I’d always be cheerful just looking at them
December 7th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
My daughter, she would love the whole collection
December 7th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
my girl would love these theyre soo different!
December 7th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
my daughter
December 7th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
My daughter, i know she’d love them.
December 7th, 2011 at 8:30 pm
I would send it to my niece in New York-she would love it x
December 7th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
my bff shes just recently lost her husband to cancer
December 7th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
i would love to win one they are so cute
December 7th, 2011 at 10:57 pm
So cute. Count me in please
December 7th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
to my daughter because she would love them
December 7th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
I would give a Momiji doll to my aunt she loves the dolls because she is a big Japanese fan. Everytime we went out shopping she bought one but unfornately due to financial difficulties we haven’t being shopping together in over a year, which resulted in not seeing each other since May. If I won I would definitely give her the prize.
December 8th, 2011 at 12:57 am
To my best friend who gives me great support and care
December 8th, 2011 at 1:05 am
my best friend. She would love them x
December 8th, 2011 at 1:13 am
my niece they are so cute
December 8th, 2011 at 1:48 am
I WOULD GIVE THEM TO MY NIECE AS SHE WOULD LOVE THESE TO DEATH IM SURE THEY ARE JUST GREAT .
GOOD LUCK TO ALL
December 8th, 2011 at 1:51 am
My 20 year old sister she would agree with me and say these are cool!
December 8th, 2011 at 2:03 am
Oooh these are so pretty! I’d love to win and give these to my daughter.
December 8th, 2011 at 3:26 am
I’d send a Momiji Doll to my BFF – she’s sooo stressed right now!
December 8th, 2011 at 3:38 am
oh aren’t they just so cute, I’m afraid if I won I’d keep them for myself!!
December 8th, 2011 at 3:59 am
I’d send them to my sister in the States – she love them
December 8th, 2011 at 4:00 am
My daughter, i know she would love them.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:01 am
I would like one to give to my GF. She has just had some pretty rubbish news and although a cute doll wouldn’t fix that, it would at least give her something to briefly take her mind off it.
December 8th, 2011 at 4:11 am
they look very nice
December 8th, 2011 at 4:16 am
I would love to give one of the new Momiji dolls to my daughter as she is a big Hello Kitty fan – she’s only 4 but I know she’d treasure it. There’s a little Angel/Princess Momiji that I’m ordering for her, fingers crossed it’s here for Christmas!
December 8th, 2011 at 4:25 am
I would send it to my daughter. she is only 10 but I don’t think you are ever too old for Hello Kitty or these cute dolls
December 8th, 2011 at 5:18 am
I would send one to my friend who is not well at the moment. She lives too far away for me to visit (I am not in good health either). We keep in touch via email and I want to send her something special for Christmas. I know she will be spending it on her own so I know one of these little dolls would help her to get through xxx
December 8th, 2011 at 5:21 am
I would send one to my mum, she loves this kind of stuff
December 8th, 2011 at 5:25 am
I’d send one to my best friend Emma, she’s really special to me but I’ve neglected her a bit lately. I have one that she sent me on my window ledge.
December 8th, 2011 at 5:47 am
I would send these to my mum in Southern Ireland
a – because she would love these and their sweet little faces &
b – they would be a talking point for her when her friends come round
December 8th, 2011 at 6:36 am
I’d like to send a momiji doll to my friend Kelsey. She absolutely adores them!
December 8th, 2011 at 7:06 am
I’d give these to my niece, she loves anything Japanese style.
December 8th, 2011 at 9:03 am
I want one because they look great
December 8th, 2011 at 10:04 am
ooh my little girl would love these
December 8th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
I would send them to my wife, she loves these and already has three of them.
December 8th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
My daughter to brighten up her new bedroom
December 8th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I would send it to my sister in law Nadja, she is the biggest hello kitty fan you can imagine and she would love the kitty edition!
December 8th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I would love to give a Momiji doll to my gorgeous daughter
December 8th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
I would send my winning Momji doll to my best friend. She loves anything Japanese so this would be a great addition to her collection. She thinks they are very cute!xoxo
December 8th, 2011 at 7:47 pm
These little dolls are so cute, would love to win them!
December 8th, 2011 at 7:53 pm
wow so cool
December 9th, 2011 at 5:59 am
My four year old daughter because she will think these are really cute
December 9th, 2011 at 11:41 am
I would love to send one to my daughter, she’s 3. That way I get to share it!
December 9th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I would like to give a Momiji doll to my girlfriend as she loves Momiji almost as much as she loves me!
December 9th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
I’d like to send one to my grandaughter she loves these little dolls they are so cute.
December 9th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
I would like to give Claire and all the other ladies at Momiji HQ a momiji to say Thank You for bringing Momiji into our lives! Every morning when I come down stairs I see my dolls and I smile… ifv I’m ever feeling sad, I just look ay my dolls and feel happier. Thank You Momiji HQ for spreading the love! Xx
December 9th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
I would send a Momiji doll to my sister as I think she would love them.
December 10th, 2011 at 10:26 am
I’d keep the momiji doll together with my matryoshka dolls on the mantelpiece
December 10th, 2011 at 11:29 am
I would give one to my 9 year old daughter as she’s mad about Hello Kitty and that sort of things and enjoys her dolls still, she’d probably end up in a fight with her sister over it, so getting two may be a better idea
December 10th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
I’d love to send one to myself actually – just wonderfully cute!
December 11th, 2011 at 12:04 am
These are so cute ..i’d send them to ..me !
December 11th, 2011 at 2:40 am
My 5 year old niece as she would absolutely love them.
December 11th, 2011 at 3:45 am
I would send one each to my daughters to tell them how much i love them xxx
December 11th, 2011 at 7:47 am
would send them to my sister
December 11th, 2011 at 8:22 am
I would give them to my nieces as they love these little items!
December 11th, 2011 at 9:23 am
My teen daughter as she loves all things japanese x
December 11th, 2011 at 9:38 am
All my friends would love these but there’s one that I think looks exactly like my sister so I’d buy that for her and see if she can see the resemblance!
December 11th, 2011 at 9:40 am
I’d like to give them to my daughter in law. She collects anything japanese related. Mostly anime.
December 11th, 2011 at 10:26 am
I love these dolls and I have 3 little grandchildren who would love them even more!!!
December 11th, 2011 at 10:27 am
My daughter, because I am sure she has never seen anything quite like them!
December 11th, 2011 at 11:18 am
I would love to give them to my mum as she collects them
December 11th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
My daughter loves these and its easy to see why they are so sweet x
December 11th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Love to win these
December 11th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
I would love to win the momiji prize so I could gift them to my daughter who has one but would love some more!
December 11th, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I would send a momiji doll to my granddaughter she would love it
December 11th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
I would send it to my best friend, who lives thousand miles away, that would be a nice present for her.
December 11th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
my daughter, she is crazy for these!
December 11th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
my wife, she deserves tehm
December 11th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
I’d send these to both of my daughters – they have a growing collection, and adore the little secret message compartments. Those Hello Kitty ones would be such a hit! <3
December 11th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Id love to send it to my sister because she collects things like this and would be over the moon
December 11th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
I would love to give these to my friends and family with special messages
December 11th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
id sent it to my beautiful daughters, because they are amazing, and theyd love the dolls, so cute:)
December 11th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
My sister as she has been my rock through the many trials and tribulations of my life
December 11th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
I would send one to my best friend, she loves cute kitsch things and is a Hello Kitty fanatic!
December 11th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I would send one of these to my daughters they would treasure these there are lovely.
December 11th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Think these are so cute my daughter would love them x
December 11th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
I would send one to my sister – she loves Momiji dolls and I bought her the two of the Hello Kitty limited edition Momiji dolls and a metal keyring for her birthday! I always write a message on the secret piece of paper. We both also love the ‘likes’ , e.g This one likes globe artichokes and billiards. They’re so kooky and fun
December 11th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
I’d give these to my good friend Dani, she’s absolutely mad about these dolls. I mean seriously into them. She’d probably want to marry me if I won them
xx
December 11th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
My sister, she adores Momiji dolls!
December 11th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Would love to send a Momiji doll to my mother, as it would put a big smile on her face!
December 12th, 2011 at 4:24 am
My daughter Alexandra – who although she is 12 – loves dolls like this and is my little dolly!
December 12th, 2011 at 6:05 am
I would love to give one to my daughter as i know she would love them x
December 12th, 2011 at 6:18 am
I would send one to my great aunt who used to travel ll over the world but due to old age and illness she does get to go far these days
December 12th, 2011 at 6:43 am
these are lovely x
December 12th, 2011 at 9:41 am
I would like to give one to my daughter, she loves anything quirky like this!!!
December 12th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
they are so cute.My grandauughter would love these
December 12th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
My sister! We have been though everything together and there is a momiji for everyday and every mood. Who can resist the temptations of such intricate detail, uniqueness and character? Beautiful creations that portray the individuality and inner beauty of our hearts.
January 6th, 2012 at 11:37 am
I would give the hello kitty momiji dolls to my cousin who has a whole bedroom dedicated to hello kitty as she loves it sooo much!! She even has a lifesize hello kitty! She is only 9 but i know that she would love and cherish them.