Collector's Spotlight Vol. 31 (@chava.fernando)

Welcome back to Collector Spotlight—a regularly irregular interview with a fellow Mezco collector where we get all up in their articulation, poke and prod at their shelves, and learn more about how they pose, play, and display.

This month, we’re featuring Fernando, a collector and toy photographer from Madrid, Spain. From restoring cherished childhood figures to crafting cinematic scenes, Fernando brings his toys to life with humor, adventure, and imagination. Get ready to step into his world!

Q: First things first — where in the world are you collecting from?
A: Madrid, Spain.

Q: Think back to the moment collecting really clicked for you. What figure started that journey?
A: I started collecting when I got my first job. One of the first things I wanted to do with my own money was get back some of the toys from my childhood. The first figure I actively sought out was a vintage Skeletor. The moment I had it in my hands, it just clicked. That was when I realized this wasn’t going to be a one-time purchase.

Q: Some collectibles carry a story beyond the shelf. Are there any pieces in your collection with a meaningful history?
A: As a kid, I lost most of my toys in a flood. When I started working, I became determined to track them down again. The challenge was that I couldn’t even remember the names of many of them, so finding them became its own adventure. Even if they’re not my original pieces, the vintage toys in my collection are especially meaningful because they represent recovering something I once lost. Some modern figures are also special because friends I’ve made through toy photography helped me get them from other countries.

Q: Have you ever taken on a repair or restoration that felt like a real challenge?
A: One of my favorites was restoring a Laser Power He-Man — a 1987 European exclusive whose sword lights up when you raise his arm. As a child, I completely wrecked him. The wires were torn, the battery compartment was rusty, and the figure was heavily worn. Restoring it meant rebuilding the wiring, cleaning the corrosion, and bringing the light back using LEDs. Considering how sought-after the figure is today, the pressure was real. But seeing that sword light up again after all those years made it completely worth it.

Q: Looking across your shelves, are there certain characters or styles that tend to dominate your collection?
A: Most of my collection revolves around three themes: cartoony and playful characters, adventurers, and movie-inspired figures. The cartoony side allows me to explore humor and visual storytelling, adventurers reflect my love for exploration and fantasy, and movie figures connect directly to the cinematic lighting and atmosphere I like to create in my toy photography.

Q: When did photography become part of the hobby for you?
A: During COVID lockdown, I finally had the time to slow down. I dug out an old camera and started taking photos of my toys just to experiment. What started as a way to pass the time during confinement quickly became a creative outlet and eventually a more intentional part of my life.

Q: When an idea for a photo pops into your head, what usually sparks it?
A: There isn’t a single approach. Most of the time, it starts with a specific idea or a “visual joke” I have in mind — something cinematic or playful. Other times, it’s simply a new prop or figure that inspires me in the moment. I’ll start setting things up without a fully defined plan and let the scene evolve naturally. Improvisation plays a big role in my process — lighting changes, angles shift, and sometimes the final image ends up being completely different from what I originally imagined. And occasionally it works the other way around: I’ll even get a figure specifically to bring a photo idea to life.

Q: Out of the entire creative process, which part do you enjoy the most?
A: Creating the props and building the setup is probably the part I enjoy most. There’s something very satisfying about physically shaping the world before I even pick up the camera. That said, I really love every stage — from developing the story to working on lighting and atmosphere, and even editing the final image.

Q: What keeps the excitement alive when adding a new figure to your collection?
A: My favorite aspect is the sense of awe and the world of possibilities that opens up when I get a new figure. It’s that moment when you hold it for the first time, and your imagination immediately starts working. I’m not just seeing the sculpt or paint — I’m thinking about stories, potential scenes, and how it might interact with other characters in my collection.

Q: Over time, has the way you approach collecting changed at all?
A: Not too much. I’ve always collected in a very intentional way. I only get figures if I genuinely love the character or IP, and if I can clearly imagine using it in multiple toy photos or playing with my kids with it. I’ve never bought a figure just to leave it sealed in the box. If I buy it, it’s because I want it on display, in a scene, or in a photo. Over time, I’ve become more selective, mostly due to space.

Q: Is there a One:12 Collective figure that stands above the rest in your collection?
A: Definitely Indiana Jones. Not only because he’s one of my favorite characters, but also because of the incredible detail and craftsmanship that went into the figure’s design. With the right cinematic lighting, it feels almost like a still from a film.

Q: For someone just starting their own collection, what advice would you share?
A: Get what you genuinely like, whether it’s for displaying, playing, photographing, or simply enjoying. Don’t collect based on trends or hype. Your collection should reflect your taste, your memories, and what makes you happy. If a figure makes you smile, inspires you creatively, or connects you to a memory, that’s more than enough reason to own it.

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