# Birth of RugDollz

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#### **The Birth of RugDollz: RugLabz’s First NFT Collection**

RugDollz holds a special place in the RugLabz ecosystem as the very first NFT collection we created. But to understand why these quirky, stitched-together characters exist, we need to go back to the beginning, back to **AlexLee**, the founder of RugLabz, and his journey into crypto.

Alex first stepped into the crypto world in **2021**, experimenting with ERC20 tokens like **Ethereum, XRP, Shiba Inu**, and several other meme coins. While exploring the broader crypto landscape, he discovered NFTs, drawn initially by **projects that combined game mechanics with blockchain assets**. This experience opened his eyes to a new dimension of digital ownership, creativity, and community engagement.

By **2022**, Alex had immersed himself in NFTs, investing and learning everything he could about this rapidly growing space. But it didn’t take long for him to notice a major problem: **rug pulls were rampant**. Too many projects left investors stranded, eroding trust and leaving countless NFT enthusiasts frustrated and disillusioned.

Rather than turning away, Alex decided to **create a project that would make a difference,** one that could at least acknowledge and symbolically help those who had been rugged. He wanted a collection of characters that would **stand out visually while carrying a deeper meaning**.

The inspiration came from Alex’s experience in one particularly notorious project: **Voodoo Dolls**, which was one of the largest rug pulls he had encountered. This experience sparked the birth of **RugDollz**. The name itself was intentional, a nod to “ragdolls” for Web2 audiences, while also symbolizing **resilience, recovery, and the quirky strength of the NFT community**.

Each RugDoll is designed with **stitching, patchwork, and distinctive traits**, reflecting the journey of collectors who had been knocked down by rug pulls but continued their NFT adventures. RugDollz became more than just an NFT collection, it became a symbol of **community, perseverance, and creativity in the face of challenges**, laying the foundation for everything RugLabz would build in the years to come.

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<figure><img src="https://1695312126-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxSqaecvjF9KPKMprk1r2%2Fuploads%2F8oxdGbOzHPKWR9MoOIs6%2FOrigin.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9f6072ec-369d-4ab5-85d2-d6ba37357fc7" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

[RugDollz first ever Tweet](https://x.com/RugdollzNFT/status/1573043778255994881?s=20)
