Adidas and The LEGO Group have extended their partnership to launch a new ZX 8000 ‘Bricks’ collection of footwear, building on the pairing that previously introduced the landmark A-ZX series.
Bringing the globally renowned Danish toy brand’s signature aesthetics to one of Adidas’ most iconic styles, the collection marks the next stage in a partnership inspired by the two companies’ shared passion for creativity.
The footwear collection plays host to six sneakers, each made up in one of the primary LEGO colors: Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Black, and Grey. Boasting a classic construction based on the original ZX 8000 material composition, each pair in the collaborative ‘Bricks’ offering features a mesh upper matched with synthetic suede overlays, a ghillie lacing system, and a TPU heel counter which playfully emulates the texture of LEGO bricks.
Accompanying the launch of the collection is a playful campaign which follows the journey of the ZX 8000 silhouette as it is constructed piece by piece by LEGO minifigure engineers.
The Adidas Originals and the LEGO Group ZX 8000 ‘Bricks’ collection arrives on May 7th and is available in adult and junior sizing through adidas.com/LEGO and select retailers.
Inspire Me! Home Décor has secured a long-term deal with leading MENA home retailer Home Centre for an extensive line of home décor and home furnishings.
Me! Home Décor, the lifestyle brand founded by the designer, author, entrepreneur, Farah Merhi currently has over 6.2 million global followers, making it the most-followed home décor inspiration page on Instagram. The deal with Home Centre was brokered by Inspire Me! Home Décor’s sub-agent for the MENA region, WildBrain CPLG, in partnership with the brand’s global licensing agent, Thrive Brand Licensing.
Inspire Me! Home Décor’s new collection for Home Centre spans every room of the house and includes bedding, curtains, rugs, dinnerware, serveware, drinkware, decorative accessories, lighting, towels and bath accessories. This introductory collection is now available at Home Centre stores across the MENA region and online, and is part of the retailer’s ‘Ramadan is Better Together’ region-wide campaign, aimed at offering customers finely curated collections that invoke the spirit of celebration.
Farah Merhi said: “I’m very excited to launch my Inspire Me! Home Décor collection with Home Centre in the Middle East, and given my roots, this project is very close to my heart. We share the same vision, which is a gold standard of quality, reliability and honesty.
“Every piece in the collection is timeless, classic and intended to make a statement, whether on its own or styled with other items. I look forward to seeing how consumers and designers incorporate the range into their beautiful homes.”
Neesha Law, commercial director at WildBrain CPLG Middle East, added: “Inspire Me! Home Décor’s latest collection perfectly encapsulates Farah’s comfortable yet glamorous style, with its neutral colours, soft fabrics and exquisite design detail.
“Home Centre holds values that are perfectly aligned with Farah’s philosophy of bringing timeless designs to consumers at an affordable price point, so we knew they would make the ideal partner to bring this incredible range to the MENA market.”
Erin Dippold, president of Thrive Brand Licensing, concluded: “Inspire Me! Home Décor has been an astounding consumer products success in North America. As a Lebanese American, making her products available to the Middle Eastern region has been a priority to Farah since day one.
“Home Centre was the ideal partner for this collaboration given their position as a leading home retailer and their vision as to what Inspire Me! Home Décor for Home Centre could become. We’re thrilled to see that vision realised and look forward to working closely with the Home Centre team to expand the partnership for years to come.”
Crayola has launched a new collaboration with the footwear brand, Native Shoes, to celebrate a shared creativity through the launch of a range of new designs featuring the bold colours of the arts and crafts brand.
The Jefferson, Jefferson Child, Spencer LX, and Charley sandals have each been reimagined with a bright, abstract scribble print, mimicking the effect of classic Crayola markers. An additional four-scribble print sees the Jefferson Child sandal emblazoned with different colour scribbles on each side.
A range has also been launched for those looking to make a bolder statement, with a vivid ombre block print available in nostalgic shades of Sunny Side Up Yellow, and Navy Niblet Blue applied to the sandals collection.
As with all Native Shoes, the 11 styles in the Crayola collaboration are designed to tread lightly on the planet. Fully recyclable through the Native Shoes Remix Project, the shoes can be shipped back free-of-charge once outgrown, to be transformed into colorful playgrounds for local communities in Native Shoes’ hometown of Vancouver, Canada.
Kyle Housman, CEO of Native Shoes, said: “As a brand, Native Shoes is all about making it easy for all to Live Lightly. We celebrate the happy moments, bold colors and light footprints which make our world a better place. With its bright colors and boundless inspiration, Crayola is a natural partner, and we’re so excited to work with them on this collaboration.”
Warren Schorr, vice president of business development and global licensing, Crayola, added: “Crayola strives to help parents and educators raise creatively-alive kids. We are thrilled to partner with Native Shoes, another mission-driven brand, to inspire kids and adults to step up each day with eye-catching, bold footwear.”
The Van Gogh Museum has partnered with the international art supplies specialist, Royal Talens to create a collection of painting and drawing materials that pay homage to one of modern art’s most iconic figures.
The new collection of creative materials, spanning brush pens, water colour sets, and coloured pencils – takes inspiration from the colour palette of several masterpieces at the Van Gogh Museum, and invites users to follow in the footsteps of the artists himself.
The Royal Talens x Van Gogh Museum creative collection caters to amateurs and professionals, and to burgeoning and experienced artists. The colours selected for the products are based on works by Vincent van Gogh, such as the iconic Sunflowers, Irises and Almond Blossom, which are all in the permanent collection at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
The creative collection will be available soon at retail partners of Royal Talens and in the Van Gogh Museum webstore.
The range kicks off with the Ecoline x Van Gogh Museum Brush Pens, a set of five Ecoline brush pens for illustration and calligraphy that takes its lead from the vivid colour palette in Irises (1890). In this work, Van Gogh experimented with powerful colour contrasts. By placing the purple flowers against a yellow background, he made the decorative forms of the irises stand out even more strongly.
Van Gogh x Van Gogh Museum Water Colour Pocket Box is a compact water colour set featuring 12 colours inspired by the colour palette in Vincent van Gogh’s dynamic Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat (1887), in which he used complementary colours.
This special edition of the Van Gogh pocket box is bright orange, like the short stripes of orange paint in the halo around Van Gogh’s head in the self-portrait.
Sakura x Van Gogh Museum Pigma Micron Fineliners are based on Van Gogh’s masterpiece Flowering Plum Orchard (after Hiroshige) (1887) as it marks the perfect link between the Japanese brand Sakura, which celebrates its centenary this year, and Van Gogh, who was greatly inspired by Japanese printmaking.
Van Gogh made three paintings after Japanese prints from his own collection, which gave him a chance to explore the Japanese printmakers’ style and use of colour. The four colours selected for the fineliners are inspired by the colour palette in the painting, and are amongst the most popular colours for writing and decoration.
Sakura x Van Gogh Museum Gelly Roll Gel Pens sees Vincent van Gogh’s Almond Blossom (1890) ties in with Sakura’s mission to allow everyone’s creativity to flourish. The painting shows one of Van Gogh’s favourite subjects: large blossom branches against a blue sky. For this painting, which symbolises new life, Van Gogh drew inspiration from Japanese printmaking. Illustrate, draw and write in the colours of Almond Blossom with this set of five gel pens.
Bruynzeel x Van Gogh Museum Coloured Pencils arive in a luxury storage tin featuring the iconic painting Sunflowers (1889), one of Van Gogh’s world-famous masterpieces. Van Gogh was one of only a handful of painters to give the sunflower the lead role in various flower still lifes. In contrast to traditional, darker floral compositions, his Sunflowers were explosions of colour. The tin contains 12 coloured pencils with high-quality pigments.
The Royal Talens x Van Gogh Museum collection of creative materials will be available soon at retail partners of Royal Talens and in the Van Gogh Museum webstore.
The Bruynzeel x Van Gogh Museum Coloured Pencils will be available in early Augustus 2021.
The Point. 1888 has been tapped to drive Williams Racing’s brand licensing programme into pole position with an extensive range of new products for the Williams fanbase.
Synonymous with top level motorsport since the 1960s, Williams is one of the world’s leading Formula 1 teams, racing in the top echelon or motor racing, where it has won grands prix for more than three decades.
The Point. 1888 will now work with the team to extend its licensing operation using its ‘retail-first methodology’ to ‘reverse engineer the licensing process’ and select licensing partners that align with Williams’ core values. Matching the team with the right companies will open a host of new opportunities for engagement on a global scale, helping boost revenue and brand affiliation for Williams Racing.
Tim Hunt, commercial and marketing director for Williams Racing, said: “We are excited to have The Point.1888 on board to extend our brand licensing programme and to enable us to work with businesses we never thought we would. Through careful consideration of the types of products that will suit our purpose and values, we have the opportunity to increase our fan-base and build on our brand affiliation. We look forward to working The Point.1888 and seeing the incredible results.”
Hannah Stevens, head of retail and sports at The Point.1888, added: “As a huge F1 fan, I have admired the Williams Racing team for many years and I’m thrilled to be able to work with them on this iconic sporting brand as they take their first major steps into the world of licensing and help fans to find new ways to engage with this incredible sport.”
The Royal Horticultural Society has thrown its weight behind a new range of footwear from the premium boots maker and long-standing RHS partner, The Original Muck Boot Company.
The new RHS-endorsed range, called Outscape, is a new concept in footwear that offers a modern look with the performance of a trainer, but with the waterproof and durable protection found in all Muck ranges.
Available in two different heights – ankle boots and low shoes – for all genders, Outscape shoes and short boots are billed as ‘ideal for active outdoor work and exploration.’ The range features a Dual Density footbed, as well as a ‘shovel-ready nylon shank for under-foot stability when using garden tools.’
The target market for the range is 18 to 35 year old aspirational, motivated men and women who love animals, travel, and the land. However, the appeal of the shoes and boots is expected to extend to anyone who appreciates durable, comfortable outdoor footwear.
The Original Muck Boot Company was formed in 1999 to provide 100 per cent waterproof boots and footwear that withstand the muckiest situations in every season. Its ranges include a wide selection of multi-purpose gardening boots and shoes endorsed by the RHS since 2016.
Eleanor Cornwell, EMEA marketing lead, The Original Muck Boot Company, said: “Performance and versatility are key when on-the-go and we believe our Outscape ranges perfectly meet the needs of many gardeners and walkers for a waterproof boot with the comfort of a lightweight trainer. We’re delighted that the RHS agrees with us and thrilled to have the endorsement of Britain’s favourite gardening charity.”
Shereen Llewellin, licensing executive, RHS, added: “There are many makers of outdoor footwear but few that meet the exacting standards demanded by RHS supporters for gardening, dog walking and rambling that have become especially popular in the past year.
“The Original Muck Boot Company understands this market better than almost anyone – and we are delighted to endorse the comfortable and durable Outscape range.”
Hearst UK has unveiled the next iteration of its ongoing Homebase partnership with the launch of its House Beautiful and Country Living wallpaper range, available exclusively through the DIY retailer.
Co-created by the Homebase and the House Beautiful and Country Living Style teams in collaboration with Graham & Brown, the range of 12 exclusive designs is available from April 21st both online and in two Homebase Decorate centres, located in Sutton and Cheadle.
The House Beautiful collection looks to deliver on trend, stand out designs that ‘offer a simple way to achieve a contemporary interior style.’ The designs use premium quality paper, produced in the UK. The collection includes easy application innovation such as ‘paste the wall.’
The Country Living collection contains hand illustrated patterns that reflect the beauty of the British landscape. A proudly British-made high quality wallpaper that includes a sustainably made option which is produced using water-based ink and FSC certified paper. True to Country Livings eco-ethos, three trees are planted for each tree used in the production of the wallpapers.
Louise Pearce, director of content at Country Living and House Beautiful said: “We are thrilled to continue to progress this amazing partnership with Homebase, with this move in to Home Décor, and specifically wallpaper. Each of the wallpaper ranges truly reflect our brand values and ethos, as well as the trends we know our readers love and are searching for.”
Roy’s Boys is expanding its portfolio and slipping into the pyjama space with a range spanning leading children’s entertainment and sport brands including Hey Duggee, Bing, Baby Shark, a portfolio of football clubs, and more.
It’s the latest move from the sock specialist to diversify it product portfolio which now encompasses quirky fashion socks and leggings, as well as pyjamas. The firm has teased that more “exciting additions” to the range will follow in due course.
“The personalised pyjamas are a great addition to our range,” said Hannah Lowe. “We are continuing to tap into the online market that the bricks and mortar retailers do not have the capacity to reach, with bespoke gifting. We are building on what we do best and what Roy’s Boys is all about – giftable products at a high quality.”
Over the past year, Roy’s Boys has grown to a reach of over a million customers and is planning to significantly increase its following further over the next year. Marketing is the key to online success, a mix of posts and ads through the Roy’s Boys platforms as well as additional organic posts from licensors has contributed to an uplift in sales.
Anita Majhu, senior licensing manager, BBC Studios, said: “I am delighted that Hey Duggee is part of our valued partner’s expanding product range. Our customers have responded really well to Roy’s Boys’ new nightwear and it’s great to be able to reach our customers in such a fun and personalised way.”
Roy’s Boys’ Ben Lowe, added: “After only launching the personalised pyjamas at the start of this week, they have gone wild already and with Father’s day looming we are anticipating a busy one. After the past year, 2021 is looking incredible for us and the buzz around the office is so great to see. Roy’s Boys is growing at a phenomenal rate – a silver lining to the pandemic.”
WildBrain CPLG has secured a new partnership between Peanuts Worldwide and the luxury eco-sustainable lifestyle brand, Vayyu to introduce the firm’s first licensed apparel collection, featuring the classic Peanuts characters.
The range has launched today (April 22) to mark World Earth Day, the wide-reaching celebration and commitment to environmental protection, with a line of sustainable apparel spanning t-shirts, jumpers, vests, and hats for both men and women. The range will be available at select retailers as well as vayyu.com.
The Peanuts x Vayyu collection will feature garments designed by students from Nottingham Trent University in the UK, following a fashion design competition supported by Peanuts Worldwide and Vayyu. It saw final year students in NTU’s BA Fashion Design course challenged to develop a unisex collection called ‘Snoopy Just Got Green’ to embody Vayyu’s ethos of design responsibility and sustainability.
The students were tasked with bringing their ideas to life through the colours of nature and the characters of Snoopy and the much-loved Peanuts gang.
Over 50 students took part in the competition, and the designs were judged by the university’s lecturers as well as representatives from Peanuts Worldwide, Vayyu and WildBrain CPLG. Competition winner Alex Bolton, as well as runners up Tom Chin and Alice Doyle, will see a selection of their designs included as part of the new Vayyu x Peanuts collection, and stocked at a Vayyu pop-up shop in London his summer and also at NTU’s store.
The students also receive a set of the final collection garments featuring their respective designs, a percentage of the net profit from sales made of their designs and work experience with Vayyu.
The Peanuts x Vayyu collection and the NTU design challenge is part of Peanuts Worldwide’s “Take Care with Peanuts” initiative, a global multi-year enterprise encouraging everyone to take care of themselves, each other and the Earth. In honour of Earth Day, Peanuts Worldwide has also recently released its latest original short as part of the campaign titled “Take Care of the Earth: Choose to Reuse”.
Tara Botwick, senior director, territory management EMEA at Peanuts Worldwide, said: “With consumers looking to make more environmentally friendly choices, we knew that Vayyu’s commitment to creating ethical and sustainable products would make them an ideal partner to expand our premium apparel offering for Peanuts.
“What’s more, the Nottingham Trent University students have done a fantastic job at immersing themselves in the Peanuts archives and creating concepts that were focused on protecting the environment and natural world. The whole collection is timely, eye-catching and bold and we’re confident this is just the start on a successful long-term partnership with Vayyu.”
Chris Desai, founder and director at Vayyu, added: “With Peanuts being one of the world’s most iconic brands and Vayyu leading the way in sustainable luxury fashion, it’s hugely exciting to champion environmental conservation together. The remarkable ‘Take Care with Peanuts’ initiative shows how brands can lead the way in making this world a better place and as we continue driving sustainability in fashion, we’re proud to bring this new collection to market.”
As an organic sustainable brand launched in London four years ago, Vayyu was ranked the second most ethical company in the UK by the Good Shopping Guide 2018. The brand supports a number of global environmental conservation initiatives through its charity, the Vayyu Foundation.
With shared environmental values, Nottingham Trent University is one of the most sustainable universities in the world. It ranked third in the UK by the People and Planet University League, and fifth globally in the UI GreenMetric.
SpongeBob, Nickelodeon Slime, and JoJo Siwa are just some of the ViacomCBS children’s brands making the move into the fintech space thanks to a new partnership with the parent-managed debit card company for young people, Osper.
Under the pairing, popular IP from the ViacomCBS stable will feature across a series of prepaid debit cards for under 18 year olds, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Nickelodeon’s Slime, and SpongeBob Squarepants. Both Osper and ViacomCBS Consumer Products UK will also work together on a range of co-branded financial education assets for kids.
The move arrives as contactless payments now represent the dominant form of payment on the high street and the belief that young people risk being financially excluded from the shift if they are limited to using cash. Osper allows young people access to their own contactless prepaid debt card, which can be topped up, monitored, and managed by parents via an app.
Osper also automatically blocks payments for age restricted services and gives the option to turn off online spending, giving parents full control of their children’s spending.
“While young people are at the forefront of many of the world’s positive changes, they too face real challenges from the fast pace of change around them,” said Venetia Davie, vice president, ViacomCBS Consumer Products UK & Ireland.
“We believe passionately in supporting today’s children and this partnership is part of that commitment. We’re delighted to be working with Osper to use the reach and engagement of globally recognised properties such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to help give young people the education and tools necessary to deal with money in an increasingly contactless and digital world.”
Giovanni Santini, CEO of Osper, added: “By the age of eight, two things are happening – children are already learning lifelong financial behaviours, and they’re enthused, informed and entertained by world class content from Nickelodeon.
“At Osper we have always been focused on giving young people access to payments that are secure and safe – both online and contactless – combined with the knowledge and education needed to understand money and finance. This partnership will be transformative in increasing the accessibility of young people to develop positive financial habits that will shape their view of money for the rest of their lives.
“We’re proud to be working with not just a world-leading kids’ entertainment brand, but with a team who share the same values and ambition.”
Edoardo Volta, head of fintech UK and Ireland at Mastercard, said: “Young people today are digital natives and most take a ‘digital first’ approach to whatever they are doing, and this is no different for payments. So it is more important than ever that they have the right tools to stay in control of their money and make payments safely, securely and conveniently.”
The partnership will see Osper and ViacomCBS Consumer Products working together to deliver co-branded educational materials to help children understand money and develop positive financial habits.
Osper customers will also be able to apply for their own prepaid debit card featuring some of Nickelodeon’s most iconic kids’ brands such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Nickelodeon Slime and Jojo Siwa. Reaching over 13 million homes in the UK, Nickelodeon will promote these co-branded offers across its TV, online and social channels.
