‘I have a dedicated Sindy room in my house’
SOPHIE GARNER, 48, IS A PROFESSIONAL SINGER AND MUSIC SPECIALIST FROM NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Dressing my Sindy dolls in different outfits and accessories, and arranging the miniature furniture in my five-storey doll’s house, I smile contentedly. I’m never more at peace than when I’m tinkering with my Sindy collection.
I have a room in my home dedicated to the British fashion doll, and my collection consists of dolls, vehicles, homeware, outfits – and I’ve no plans to stop there!
As a little girl, I had Active Ballet Sindy, plus the house, a horse and some outfits, and I treasured them, but grew out of dolls, like most women do.
Then, in 2014, I was going through a difficult time, experiencing some mental health issues and career upheaval. I found myself searching in my psyche for a time when I’d felt calm and content instead.
It was Sindy, and the hours spent playing with her as a girl, that popped into my mind.
I mentioned it to my partner Paul, now 63.
Soon after, I turned 40 and he presented me with an unforgettable gift – the same Sindy house I’d owned as a child, with furniture, and three dolls he’d bought on eBay. I wept with happiness.
That gift set me on the path to superfandom. It brought me so much joy, and I wanted more.
Now, Sindy’s a huge part of my life. I have 15 dolls, over 100 outfits plus accessories, including bespoke ones I’ve commissioned from specialist doll dress designers, a Sindy car, Seventies wooden caravan, her kitchen with the ‘Magic Cooker’, and countless miniature items like food packaging for her house.
I buy from eBay and online auctions held by other Sindy fans. I was diagnosed with ADHD earlier this year, and my thoughts can be scattered and busy, but when I’m cocooned in my Sindy Room, I’m completely focused.
Paul’s a historian and collects WWI and WWII memorabilia so he gets my obsession! It’s comforting, healing and it brings me great pleasure. So, what’s the harm in it?
sophiegarner.com