DFC : Dumpster Fried Chicken

Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, established in July 2004, is located on the border of Chicago's Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods in a beautiful vintage building. Since opening, Rotofugi has grown to become one of the world's premier sellers of designer toys from artists all over the world. Rotofugi features a diverse selection of vinyl figures, capsule toys, plush and more from both eastern and western designers. The adjoining Rotofugi Gallery features monthly art exhibits by a range of both local and nationally known artists. Beginning in late 2007 Rotofugi partnered with Chicago based product development specialist Squibbles Ink to begin producing artist-designed figures by the talented designers located in their home town. Click here for more information on Squibbles Ink + Rotofugi projects. Rotofugi is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Kirby and Whitney Kerr. You can find the couple in and around the store on most days. They love to talk about toys and art. Self-produced art toys are designer collectibles created and manufactured independently by the artist or small teams without the backing of a large toy company or mass-market brand. These toys are often highly personal, artistic expressions and are usually made in limited runs. Key Characteristics include independent creation where the artist is in control of the entire process from concept, sculpting, and painting to production and packaging. These are usually made in small batches, often 10–100 pieces, which adds to their rarity, made using materials like resin, sofubi (Japanese soft vinyl), or 3D-printed components. Scott Wetterschneider is a talented sculptor and designer who has worked on dozens of designer toys. 100% Soft is the creative alias of Los Angeles-based artist Truck Torrence, renowned for his whimsical and endearing “kawaii pop art” style. He self-describes as “kawaii trash from Planet Earth” and has garnered a significant following for his playful and satirical creations. His iconic Dumpster Fire figure features a smiling dumpster ablaze, symbolizing chaos with a touch of humor. It has become a cultural phenomenon, especially during tumultuous times. While Kaiju Kitties reimagines giant monsters as adorable cats, blending Torrence’s love for kaiju films with his signature cute aesthetic. Torrence has also crafted official emoji sets for major franchises, including Star Wars and Marvel Studios, showcasing his ability to merge pop culture with his unique artistic flair.