British lifestyle brand, Cath Kidston has launched a 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 Bulldog Licensing – aims to play on the nostalgia and love of colour and print that is used regularly by Cath Kidston to deliver its recognisable products.
Showcased across eight prints, each design aims to illustrate the stories that Care Bears’ audiences have enjoyed for decades. The pieces – featuring moons and stars, rainbows and flowers, love hearts and cupcakes – create a range which is suited for adults and kids alike.
The ‘Wish Big’ print shows the characters presented as classic cherubs; the ‘Believe’ print sees the Care Bears adventuring across an ‘explosion’ of watercolour flowers, hearts, rainbows, cupcakes and moons; ‘Bedtime Bear’ sees them floating on clouds in the midnight sky – each character is engaged in a different activity: one is asleep, another is gathering flowers, while two others are chatting on a tin-can telephone.
In addition, the signature Cath Kidston roses combined with the characters ensure they stand out against either the black or pale lilac of the plain background.
The range launches online and at the brand’s flagship store in Piccadilly on 14 November. It is offered across all Cath Kidston’s product categories from homeware to apparel and accessories, including the new teenage sizing.
Our aim at Cath Kidston is to bring joy with our hand-painted prints and, paired with Care Bears, this charm became unstoppable,” commented Holly Marler, creative director at Cath Kidston. “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.”
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