The purpose of these contests is to encourage collectors to be creative and have fun with their dolls.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Impartial judges choose winners for all contests. Some contests also have fan favorite awards, selected by participant votes. A number of prizes (including dolls!) will be awarded for each contest.

What contests can I enter?

Click the name of each contest to skip to the info on that event.

Best in Theme

How can you make Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen come to life? Show us your best theme-related doll, outfit, photo, drawing, diorama, or other creative work. Any entry entered into any of the contests will be assessed for Best in Theme; you only have to enter your work in this category if you are not entering it in another category.

Creator Contest

Do you love to Make It Own? Have you rewigged and rechipped every doll you’ve ever had? Do you sew, knit, crochet, or hot glue new dresses for your dolls? Show off your artistry to rival Mango Park in the Customization Contest! Included is one category, Dolly Smorgasbord, for dolls outside the Groove family. There is also a Smart Doll Original Outfit contest.

Dress-Like-Your-Doll Contest

Dress in matching outfits with your doll! Will you dress like your doll, or will your doll dress like you? It’s up to you to decide.

Photo and Art Contest

Take or draw a related picture with your Groove doll(s) to enter this contest, even if you can’t make it to Chicago! Entries must reflect the theme of Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen in some manner. The deadline is the end of the day on May 1, 2024. This contest is judged before the actual event. All dolls allowed! See below for details. 

 

Best in Theme

This year’s theme is Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen. One diorama, doll, outfit, photo, drawing, or other showing of creativity inspired by Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen will win Best in Theme. The winner may be an entry for any of the other contests, or something entirely original, like a diorama for dolls to pose in. Best in Theme will be judged on reflection of the theme plus skill, artistry, and creativity. Any entry entered into any of the contests will be assessed for Best in Theme; you only have to enter your work in this category if you are not entering it in another category.

To enter, submit an entry related to Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen in any of the contests, or bring something special just for Best In Theme to PUDDLE.  

 


Creator Contest

There are five categories for doll artists to enter:

  1. Custom: Dolls made from Make It Own kits or full-sized dolls that have been completely redesigned–new chips, wig, faceup, and clothing. No part of the original doll, including faceup, should remain. Original Dolls do not need to have a handmade outfit made by the overall creator. If the outfit or other components are handmade by other creators, you must credit them on the entry form. We recommend notifying the other creator in advance that you will be using their work in your contest entry.
  2. Modified: modified full-sized doll–something (wig, faceup, stock, chips) remains of the original doll. Examples include dolls that have been rewigged and rechipped but still have their original faceups, dolls that have new eye makeup but stock eyebrows and lips, dolls that have been rewigged and redressed.
  3. Mini: customized and modified miniature dolls (including AI and Pang-ju dolls).
  4. Original Outfit: any size doll, stock or customized, in an original outfit completely made by the contestant. There are two categories – one for Groove dolls, one for Smart Dolls. Outfits for other dolls can be entered in the Dolly Smorgasbord.
  5. Dolly Smorgasbord: Enter any other kind of doll (BJD, Smart Doll, Blythe, Barbie, etc.) as a full custom or modified doll, or make an original outfit for that kind of doll.

In the Custom and Modified categories, there will be up to three winners – one Pullip; one Dal, Byul, Yeolume, Sasha, or J-Doll; and one Taeyang, Namu, or Isul. (If there aren’t enough Dals and boys for separate categories, additional Pullips may win.) There will also be a fan favorite (if a fourth doll other than the three winners is one of the top fan favorite vote getters). In the mini and Original Outfit categories, there will be at least one judged winner and one fan favorite from each category. There will be some great prizes for the winners, including dolls, MIO kits, outfits, and accessories.

For the Dolly Smorgasbord, we’ll see what’s entered and decide how to judge them from there. But there will be prizes.

To enter, customize your entry and get your doll to PUDDLE on June 8.

If you will not personally be attending PUDDLE, you must fill out the Remote Entry Permission Form ten days before the event!
Fill out an entry form at the event and put your dolls on display by 1:30pm.
(Please note that this is a fan-run event and there will be no paid security.)

Contest Rules:

  • Each entry must be the original work of the person submitting it with credit given to any contributors to the work, or if the customizer is not present he or she must have asked you to enter the contest. Customizers who will not personally be attending PUDDLE must fill out the Remote Entry Permission Form to give permission in advance. 
  • Each person can enter up to three entries total in the event day Groove contests.
    • One category per entry. Full Custom dolls cannot also enter for Original Outfit, for example. The one exception is Best in Theme – all entries will be considered for Best in Theme. One additional entry can be entered in the Dolly Smorgasbord and one additional entry can be entered in the Smart Doll Original Outfit category.
  • Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form.
    • Entry forms must provide the name of the customizer(s), the name of the person at PUDDLE who is responsible for the entry (if needed), and a list of changes, such as sanding, carving, painting, rechipping, rewigging, brands of clothing and accessories, etc.
    • More than one person can help customize an entry, but each person must be credited on the entry form.
    • The customizer can bring together elements from others (clothing, companions, etc.) as long as the originators are credited.
    • You may prepare this information ahead of time on an index card or small piece of paper. You will still need to pick up an official entry slip at PUDDLE to get your entry number.
    • Entry forms will be available at the Information Table starting as soon as the doors open.
  • Each entry must be present at PUDDLE, even if the customizer is not. Please note that if the customizer is not present, he or she must have asked you to enter the contest.  All customizers who will not personally be attending PUDDLE must fill out the Remote Entry Permission Form to give permission in advance. 
  • If you are not coming to PUDDLE but want to enter the contest you can
    1. sell or give your entry to someone who is coming;
    2. ask someone who is coming to bring the entry and return the entry to you after the contest; or
    3. donate the entry to PUDDLE to be used as a raffle or contest prize.
  • Pullips, Dals, Namus, Taeyangs, Byuls, Isuls, Yeolumes, J-Dolls, and Sasha dolls may be entered in the Full Custom, Modified, and Original Outfit categories.
  • Mini Pullips, Dals, and Taeyangs, Angel Pullips and Dals, Pang-Ju BJDs, and Ai BJDs may be entered in the Mini and Original Outfit categories only.
  • Dolls other than those listed above are only permitted in the Dolly Smorgasbord contest. Original outfits for Smart Doll can be entered in the Smart Doll Original Outfit category.

Other Important Details:

  • Although not required, the custom doll can reflect the theme of PUDDLE (Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen). Dolls and outfits that fit the theme are eligible for the Best in Theme Award.
  • Entries can be sold at PUDDLE after the contest has been judged.
  • An original outfit can only be entered in either the Dress-Like-Your-Doll Contest or in the Original Outfit category, not both.

Entries will be judged on the quality, creativity, and style of the customization, the skill of the customizer, and the overall artistry of the custom. While reflection of the theme is not required in most categories, it may be a factor in choosing winners. PUDDLE attendees will also have the opportunity to select a fan favorite through a vote. The judges’ decisions will be final.

Pictures of the entries will be posted on the PUDDLE website. By entering, you give your permission for pictures of your entry to be posted on the website and submitted to magazines for possible publication. 


Dress-Like-Your-Doll Contest

To enter, come to PUDDLE. Bring your doll and matching outfits for the two of you. You will show off your outfits in a parade of contestants at PUDDLE, immediately followed by judging. Be prepared to describe your costumes for your entry form, so the master of ceremonies can show you off! This contest is sponsored by Shelby Sawyer Designs. Each winner will receive a prize from Shelby Sawyer Designs.

You are welcome to enter this contest with any doll, including those outside the Pullip family – feel free to bring your Smart Doll, Blythe, BJD, Monster High, or other doll of your choosing.

You can wear the outfits the whole day or change before or after the parade.

Important Details:

  • You are not required to design or sew the outfits yourself–purchased costumes are welcome, as are simple outfits like jeans and a t-shirt!
  • An original outfit can only be entered in either the Dress Like Your Doll Contest or in the Original Outfit contest, not both.
  • However, contestants who choose to enter their doll-size costume in the Original Outfit category of the Custom Contest can still participate in the Dress-Like-Your-Doll Parade as non-competing entrants!
  • Although not required, the costumes can reflect the theme of PUDDLE (Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen). Outfits that fit the theme are eligible for the Best in Theme Award.

Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, sewing skill (if applicable), and overall artistry. A matching costume set in which one or both of the costumes are handmade, original, or both is likely to be judged higher than a costume purchased off the shelf. (It’s still fun to show off your outfits though, even if you didn’t make it yourself!)

By entering, you give your permission for photos of you and your doll to be posted on the PUDDLE website and submitted to magazines for possible publication.


Photo and Art Contest (deadline May 1)

The online Photo and Art Contest is a great way to participate in PUDDLE if you can’t attend in person. Anyone can enter up to two photos of the Groove family, two pieces of art of the Groove family, and two photos/art of dolls from outside the Groove family. If we receive enough entries, categories may be created and multiple prizes awarded. The deadline is May 1, 2024.

To enter, submit your high-quality digital image of the photo or art entry to puddlestyle@puddlestyle.com. Include your real name and screen name (if different).

Entry rules and details:

  • All entries must be the original work of the person submitting them.
  • The entry must clearly be related to Pullip, Dal, Namu, Taeyang, Byul, Isul (including minis), Angel Pullip/Dal, or Yeolume.
  • Continuing from 2023: a photo/art Dolly Smorgasbord category! Enter photos or art of any other kind of doll (BJD, Smart Doll, Blythe, Barbie, etc.). These entries will be judged in one or more separate categories.
  • Each person can enter up to two entries in each category. (Two Groove art, two Groove photos, two Dolly Smorgasbord art/photos.)
  • The entry must reflect the theme of Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen.
  • Each entry must be new and created or taken specifically for the PUDDLE 2024 contest. Entries can be posted elsewhere once they are submitted.
  • You do not have to be present at PUDDLE to enter the contest.
  • More than one artist can be involved as long as all are credited.
  • Photo manipulation is allowed, but information must be included when the photo is submitted.
  • Please send the highest resolution photo you have, since the entries are printed for display at PUDDLE, and sometimes printed in print magazine coverage as well.

Entries will be judged on creativity, originality, reflection of this year’s PUDDLE theme (Retro Memories Sweet Sixteen), and overall artistry. Entries will be posted online on the PUDDLE website, on social media, and on Flickr. Entries will also be displayed in a printed gallery at PUDDLE. (There will not be a photo/art contest at the event itself.) By entering, you give your permission for photos of your work to be posted at PUDDLE, on the website, on social media, and on Flickr, as well as submitted to magazines for possible publication. You retain ownership and copyright of your photos.


View the History Galleries for information on winners at previous events!