Gift Focus - Nov/Dec 2018 (Issue 110)

54 giftfocus hot property Disney X Couture Kingdom celebrates 90 years of Mickey Mouse Couture Kingdom, the UK distributor of licensed Disney jewellery, has launched a new collection that pays homage to Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s birthday is big news for Disney fans across the globe, and to celebrate his 90 th year this November, Couture Kingdom has created a licensed Disney range in 14-carat rose, white and yellow-gold plate, featuring a mixture of dainty styles and statement pieces. Designed with adult Disney fans in mind, the pieces reflect the fun and nostalgia associated with Mickey. The West Midlands-based business supplies both independent stores and retailers such as The Disney Store and Watch Shop. The new Mickey 90 Years Collection is now available to order in the UK. RRPs range from £25 to £69. Each piece comes with a special Mickey 90 Years tag and branded Disney gift box. Flamingo Candles launches Frida Kahlo licensed collection UK-based Flamingo Candles is the latest licensee to launch officially licensed Frida Kahlo products. The collection includes nine scented candles, keyrings and a star wall art piece. Flamingo Candles started out in 2013, with a launch collection of its own design, Florrie the Flamingo. Since then, the design-led brand’s offer has evolved and grown to include directional and personalised designs. The candles are designed and hand-poured by the team based in South Wales using natural soy wax, cotton wicks and scrumptious fragrances. Ryan Francis, managing director of Flamingo Candles, said: “We love Frida Kahlo’s art and spirit and feel that both she and her work fit in extremely well with our brand. We’re very excited to be collaborating with such an inspirational icon and want the products to be a talking point by reflecting Frida’s passion, optimism and courage.” Half Moon Bay awarded licensing rights for Mr. Men Little Miss gifting range Licensed product and gift wholesaler Half Moon Bay is partnering with Sanrio to design and launch a varied gift range for Mr. Men Little Miss in the UK. This range will use retro artwork from author and illustrator Roger Hargreaves’ original book series. Designs will focus on the well- known characters and recognisable pattern designs to create a range of collectable and giftable products for any fan of the stories. Etta Saunders Bingham, head of licensing and product development at Half Moon Bay, commented: “We love to work with fun, classic brands, and so Mr. Men Little Miss is the perfect addition to our licensed portfolio. We’ll be going for a classic look, drawing on the original strengths of a brand that everyone knows and loves.” The launch range will include some of Half Moon Bay’s most successful and well-known formats such as drinkware and kitchenware, notebooks and stationery, and a range of lifestyle, fashion and home accessories. Sabrina Segalov, senior licensing manager for Sanrio Global Limited, said: “Half Moon Bay and Mr. Men Little Miss are a perfect partnership. We look forward to developing a range of gift products using our classic characters with Half Moon Bay’s signature style.” The partnership is a welcome addition to Half Moon Bay’s expanding licence portfolio, with new products available at retail from Autumn/ Winter 2019.