376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, P.O. Box 316, Bridgehampton, NY 11932

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Get to Know: Animolls’ founder Joe De Sane

This holiday season, we’re thrilled to partner with Southampton-based toy company, Animolls. In addition to joining us on November 28 for a Stuffed Animal Workshop, this community-minded creator of plush dolls is supporting our Holiday Drive by donating one of their iconic designs whenever the code CMEE2020 is used when making a purchase on their website (you’ll also save 10%). We recently spoke with the company’s founder, Joe De Sane about starting a toy company, Animolls’ mission, and his favorite childhood stuffed animal.

Can you tell us a little but about your background? How are you connected to the East End?

I came out to the East End in 1989 to attend LIU Southampton. After graduating with a BA, I moved to the city for professional acting training (along with a some theater/film/commercial stints). Eventually, I moved back to the East End and spent many years in the theater acquiring a long list of notable full-stage productions and play readings. Splitting my time between The Hamptons and Manhattan and traveling abroad, inspired a part-time career as a painter (the oil painting kind – which was a return to my art major roots, and I half-jokingly refer to as my “retirement” career.

My day job: As a managing director in real estate for many years on the East End including roles as a regional manager for Corcoran and Compass. I’m currently Managing Director for Bespoke Real Estate in Water Mill, which is a great way to make a living and stay inspired by the hardest working team in the business.

My family and I currently live in Southampton.

How/why did you decide to start a stuffed toy company?

As an artist, I wanted to use early sketches I had done and create my own version of a 2D stuffed doll that was reminiscent of the “Ugly Dolls” from over a decade ago…(dolls I once purchased for my own children). I wanted the dolls to be more relatable, however, and our own creation, using the common theme of our trademarked “star” eye throughout each Animoll.

This was all done in an effort to capture a moment in time from my children’s youth and the fond and heartwarming memories that come from that time. What parent doesn’t want to freeze time and honor their children however they can?

We don’t know many toy companies that have a mission. Can you tell us yours and why you feel it’s important to have one?

“To inspire creativity and imagination through bold, iconic design. To create and produce high quality plush dolls for all ages.”

From the start Animolls has had the singular focus of creating iconic stuffed dolls for all ages.  Never too old, never too young, the idea that everyone can enjoy a simple doll that helps keep them in, or remind them of, the simple days of youth. This is the reason we created Animolls.

An object of plush art, and the creation of dolls that could be cuddled by a child and just as easily thrown into a room by a designer to accent a piece of furniture is the idea behind practical use. No limitations on how big you can dream, or what amazing stories you can tell – Animolls believes that everyone has their own story, and their own dreams to share. We invite you to imagine, to dream, to care and share.  Let Animolls become inspiration for dreams and icons to help hold lifelong memories.

We absolutely LOVE your designs. How do you pick which Animoll to produce? And…do you have a favorite?

I try and get a sense from the Animolls we have (four currently in production – Pig, Whale, Dino, and Lizard — and nearly two dozen sketches in the queue) for which designs will lend themselves to production and hold the “iconic” qualities we connect with. It needs to feel that each design will be timeless and easily identified. Once my wife and children give the sketches and concept a thumbs up, and weigh in on colors and shapes, they go off to production and to our amazing graphic designer, to render cool graphic images that we use for promotion and website and social marketing.

My favorite? Pig was our first (and my personal favorite). 

Everybody’s got a favorite childhood stuff animal. What was yours and what was his/her name?

Smokey the Bear. He was the first stuffed animal I can ever recall being attached to. I’m sorry to say, I no longer have him. 

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