Cath Kidston collaborates with Care Bears in deal brokered by Bulldog Licensing
Cath Kidston has announced it has hand-painted its new range of wistful and dream-like prints to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Care Bears™.
Inspired by the original watercolour paintings by Elena Kucharik in the early ’80s, the limited-edition collaboration organised in association with UK agent Bulldog Licensing plays on the nostalgia and love of colour and print that is used regularly by Cath Kidston to deliver its recognisable and much-loved products.
Arriving just in time for Christmas, and showcased across eight prints, each design illustrates the visually electric stories that Care Bears™ audiences have enjoyed for decades. The pieces, featuring moons and stars, rainbows and flowers, love hearts and cupcakes, create a unique range suited for adults and kids alike.
Loved by fans of all generations, the Care Bears™ feature on prints such as the ‘Wish Big’ print, with its layers of dream-like psychedelia, garlands of stars, clouds, hearts and flowers, and with the beloved Care Bears™ presented as classic cherubs. In the ‘Believe’ print, the Care Bears™ are adventuring across an explosion of watercolour flowers, hearts, rainbows, cupcakes and moons – with the densely detailed pattern layered in horizontal stripes across the night sky. The ‘Bedtime Bear’ print sees the Care Bears™ floating on clouds in a midnight sky, watched over by the moon and stars. Each character is engaged in a different activity: one is peacefully asleep; another is gathering flowers; while two others are chatting on a tin-can telephone. The signature Cath Kidston roses combined with the Care Bears™ ensure they stand out against either the black or pale lilac of the plain backgrounds.
Launching both online, and also at the brand’s flagship store in Piccadilly on 14th November 2022, the range is rich in gifts to show you care. Offered across all of Cath Kidston’s product categories from homeware to apparel and accessories, including the new teenage sizing, the limited-edition range ensures it can reach fans of all ages.
Holly Marler, Creative Director of Cath Kidston, said,
Our aim at Cath Kidston is to bring joy with our hand-painted prints and, paired with Care Bears™, this charm became unstoppable. Inspired by the comforting 1980s’ watercolours of the characters and their mission to spread love, we also put their delightful belly badges into the prints. So, synonymous with our brand icons, and with our shared duty, this collaboration seemed a dream come true. We lovingly painted these characters in beautiful scenery – psychedelic clouds, blousey roses, and beautiful dreamscapes, where even the stars smile. With the amazing rainbow colours and heartwarming messages, it was truly wonderful to design a creation of caring this Christmas.
