Welcome back to our series “We are Hong Kong”. In this issue, we will introduce Dicky Ip, the co-owner of Zendio Dawa, who goes all out to strengthen the art toy community in Thailand.
Dicky has taken up art toys since his first participation in a Hong Kong toys fair in 2016. He was enticed by the uniqueness of designer toys produced in limited edition. He met the creator of “Byron”, Ms Shoko Nakazawa, at the event and chatted with her to gain insight into the background of the character and the designer herself. “Byron” is a Japanese-style Sofubi.
The following year, he flew to Japan to join various events where he got to know many more Japanese designers, most of them specialising in “Sofubi”, which was made from soft vinyl and well-known among Japanese toy collectors.
His strong passion eventually propelled him to embark on a reselling business. Without any concrete profit plan, he delved deeply into this mesmerising universe while helping his customers for sought-after items at numerous toy events at the same time.
The demand for designer toys was particularly high from Thai toy collectors, he said.
“At that time, some Thai customers didn’t know how to get access to overseas toy events, such as those in Hong Kong or Mainland China. They needed someone to help them purchase toys in these events. I also gained some experiences by helping a Thai friend who ran an art toy shop for shipments of toys to Thailand. I was impressed by the growing art toy market here and decided to open my own shop in Thailand.”
The blooming market in Thailand was not the only reason Dicky tried his hand at opening an art and designer toy store at Mega Plaza Sapanlek, one of Thailand’s largest character figure and collectible empires.
“Thai designers are very creative. The Thailand Toy Expo also plays an important part in promoting Thailand’s toy culture and encouraging the growth of the art toy community.”
Zendio Dawa’s shop windows and display cabinets brim with countless designer toys ranging from world’s popular characters, including “Molly” by a Hong Kong designer Kenny Wong, to other promising young designers’ creations. These exhibits offer experiences that online purchase cannot provide.
“Many people ordering art toys through online platforms can only see them through photos, which in some cases can be modified. Offline shopping offers the customers an opportunity to touch and feel the real products by themselves. ”
“We also put on small events from time to time to connect customers or collectors with creators. It’s inspired by my first meeting with Byron’s designer. Many collectors, including me, are eager to meet and interact with toy artists in person. I want to bring my Thai customers these experiences, so that they will remember us as more than a toy shop.”
Mido Gallery, which is located in a building nearby Mega Plaza, is a space where Dicky occasionally organises special toy events. The latest exhibition titled “15+5” is a collaboration with Jeffery Yau, a Hong Kong creator of “Bigclawsx”. Not only toys from Hong Kong, this gallery also features many exhibitions from promising and passionate Thai artists.
“I have contacted some young Thai designers planning to introduce their first or latest toy masterpieces. I encouraged them to come to the gallery to meet fans or organise toys launching events. In art toy community, it’s important to have a venue for designers, collectors and even shop owners to share thoughts, passion and knowledge together to strengthen toy culture and community.”
His support for Thai toy designers includes introducing them to various international art toy communities.
“I have taken some Thai designers to attend toy events in Hong Kong, Japan and Indonesia. Last year, Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong Fair asked us to take Thai toy creators to join the event, which was a good opportunity for them to establish contact with different art toy communities worldwide and present their toy designs. ”
“I started this business from zero. So, if there are young designers who are really into toys but need support, I am happy to offer help as much as I can. We can work and grow together,” he added.