Gift Focus - Jul/Aug 2019 (Issue 114)

132 Rocket Licensing recently announced a direct-to-retail licensing agreement for the Very Hungry Caterpillar with boutique mother and baby brand JoJo Mamam Bébé. The first range is aimed at children 0-6 and became available in more than 90 stores nationwide and online on 1 st May. The five-piece range comprises a T-shirt, a romper, a leggings and T-shirt set and two sleepsuits. The collection will be merchandised in stores on a feature display alongside other The Very Hungry Caterpillar licensed products: Rainbow Designs toys, Penguin books and products by Paul Lamond Games. It will be supported by PR and marketing initiatives, including a social influencer campaign and social media competitions. This agreement forms a part of The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s 50 th anniversary celebrations, which have seen multiple licensees coming to retail this year in areas as diverse as toiletries, jewellery, backpacks, personalised gifts, educational sets and playnests. Publisher Puffin is planning no fewer than six new books in this anniversary year, including a gold 50 th anniversary edition. Mel Brown, design director at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: “As one of the first books many children are introduced to and as a character loved by all ages, The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a perfect inspiration for children’s apparel. We’re delighted to have the chance to bring The Very Hungry Caterpillar to our clothing ranges and our stores.” Rob Wijeratna, joint-managing director of Rocket Licensing, commented: “JoJo Maman Bébé… has brilliantly adapted The Very Hungry Caterpillar to a stylish, witty and appealing range of children’s apparel. I’m sure that young kids – and their parents – will find this range irresistible.” The range was also picked up by the U.S. stores as of the 13 th May. British lifestyle brand Signare recently presented a new collection of signature tapestry handbags and fashion accessories for SS19, produced under licence from the V&A. Taking inspiration from the museum’s archive, the new collection features the distinctive Almond Blossom and Swallow wallpaper pattern designed by Walter Crane, a leading figure of the Aesthetic Movement and first president of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. The designs are applied to textured tapestry fabric, bringing them to life through this distinctive medium. The textile provides a tactile canvas for the design, which was first displayed in Paris in 1878 and awarded with a gold medal for design. The collection includes a wide range of bags, from hand luggage and everyday shopping bags to fashion handbags and cosmetic and glasses cases. A cushion in the same tapestry fabric is also available. The broad product range allows the brand to fit into a wide array of retail sectors, including department stores, gift shops, garden centres, heritage attractions, fashion boutiques and interior design stores. Signare founder and chief designer Cindy Qiu said: “We are thrilled with our first licensed V&A collection featuring Walter Crane’s wonderful design, which translates so beautifully on to our tapestry material. The colour palette of Almond Blossom and Swallow is ideal for the spring/summer season and makes the perfect complement to our existing range of fashion and home accessories.” The Signare brand has previously produced works such as the Mona Lisa, Starry Night, Poppy Field and Tree of Life in woven detail. VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR PARTNERS WITH JOJO MAMAN BÉBÉ WITH NEW APPAREL RANGE Signare presents new col laboration with the V&A

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