Category Archives: Lifestyle

The RHS celebrates spring and summer gardening with Biscuiteers’ famous hand-iced biscuits

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The Royal Horticultural Society has licensed Biscuiteers to produce the RHS and Biscuiteers collection – two special biscuit tins, a letterbox gift, and two gingerbread men called Jolly Gingers, all containing Biscuiteers’ hand-iced biscuits.

The new range will take its inspiration from the nation’s love of gardens and gardening.

Now on sale online at biscuiteers.com, and Biscuiteers’ Boutique shops in Battersea and Notting Hill, and soon available at leading retailers including the RHS Garden Wisley Garden Centre, the collection is designed to conjure up the joys of British gardens in the spring and summer.

The Bouquet Luxe biscuit tin brings together a selection of colourful biscuit ‘blooms’ – spring flowers using a bright colour palette. A number of icing techniques have been used to capture the textures of the petals of the different flowers including roses and pansies.

Biscuiteers’ unique recipe is based upon a traditional twice baked English style biscuits, with a texture ‘somewhere between the snap of a gingerbread and the crumble of a shortbread’. The 16 designs in the Bouquet Luxe tin are a subtle lemon flavour, which gives fresh citrus notes to balance the sweetness of the biscuit. 

The RHS Veg Box biscuit tin contains colourful biscuits all using Biscuiteers’ hand-icing techniques to look like carrots, tomatoes, aubergines and other popular vegetables. For lovers of grow-your-own veg, the nine biscuit designs come in Biscuiteers’ classic gingerbread flavour, which uses a mix of spices to give flavour. 

The Biscuiteers Garden Tools letterbox collection of chocolate biscuits, using a lilac and rose design inspired by the branding for this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, will fit through a letterbox. As are the two RHS Jolly Gingers, new additions to the Biscuiteers line of gingerbread characters depicting happy gardeners. 

For the keepsake tins Biscuiteers has created a co-branded design, bringing together Biscuiteers’ famous illustrations with detailed botanical illustrations from the RHS Lindley Collections, the world’s finest collection of botanical art. RHS branding is featured on the tin decals. 

The target market for the RHS collections encompass anyone with a love of gardening – or, of course, high-quality biscuits. The tins, box and Jolly Gingers have been designed to suit a variety of horticultural interests and budgets.

Biscuiteers has been selling iced biscuits since 2007 and is known for its design-led collections and personalised gifting offerings, which are today delivered to 117 countries. The company is uniquely positioned as an artisan business working at scale; each biscuit is intricately hand-iced by artists. The company’s purpose-built head office and bakery ices over 2.5 million biscuits each year. 

Harriet Hastings, founder and managing director of Biscuiteers, said: “Over the years our Spring collections have become a real Biscuiteers classic – so the RHS was an ideal partner for us. We’re both British brands and this collection, like the work of the RHS, has been inspired by the beauty of the British garden.”

Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “The RHS & Biscuiteers collection of British craft-company-produced biscuits is a wonderful addition to our licensing programme: a tribute to British gardens that is colourful, beautifully packaged and superbly designed – not to mention delicious!

“And what could be better than enjoying sitting in your garden on a sunny day with some RHS & Biscuiteers biscuits and a nice cup of tea – or your favourite tipple?”

ARTiSTORY signs The National Palace Museum as first global client in Asia

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ARTiSTORY, a specialist in cultural IP licensing, has signed the National Palace Museum as its first global client in Asia, covering North America and Europe.

Under the partnership, ARTiSTORY will act as master licensee to create annual art and cultural themes together with original design assets, including illustrations, patterns, and prints inspired by the National Palace Museum’s artifacts for use by licensees and retailers in North America and Europe.

Key categories for developments include apparel, accessories, home decor, stationery, and more.

The National Palace Museum in Taiwan, owns, preserves and displays in rotating exhibitions, nearly 700,000 artifacts. The collections –  spanning some 8,000 years – feature ceramics, paintings, fashion and more, from imperial collections of different dynasties.

Through working with ARTiSTORY, National Palace Museum will increase their licensed product offering while reaching out to a global audience. 

“It’s an honour to announce the National Palace Museum as our first client in Asia,” said Yizan He, founder of ARTiSTORY who was also the founder of Alfilo Brands.

“We’re already developing our design trends and themes for 2022 and 2023 and have selected several artifacts from the National Palace Museum collections for inclusion in those trends, the first to launch next year will accompany with a big celebration. 

“We look forward to bringing the stories and history of thousands of years of Chinese cultural heritage to a global audience within truly ‘East meets West’ inspired ranges.”

The National Palace Museum states that licensing is a way to support the continued preservation, conservation, study and collection of 8,000 years of Chinese cultural history. Therefore, the National Palace Museum is happy to be working with ARTiSTORY to continue growing the licensing programme and reach out to a global audience.  

Gola partners with Global Brands Group to launch new apparel collection across Europe

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The British heritage sports brand, Gola and the European division of Global Brands Group Holding Limited, have signed an exclusive multi-year partnership to launch a new Gola-branded apparel collection, in a new deal brokered by IMG.

The new line will be available for purchase across Europe and Russia in selected fashion and department stores, beginning in February 2022. It will include t-shirts, sweatshirts, tracksuits, and jackets. Gola plans to extend the collection to include kids’ apparel, accessories, socks, sleepwear, and underwear.

“Gola is an iconic, beloved British brand that has built its reputation over 115 years,” said Eno Polo, president of Europe for Global Brands. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the brand and leveraging our expertise and resources throughout Europe at every stage of development, from concept and design right through to sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and marketing.

“This new collection stays true to Gola’s origins as a heritage sports brand, while offering contemporary authenticity and wearability.”

Founded in 1905, Gola is an internationally recognised lifestyle brand renowned for its British roots, personality and strong sporting heritage. The new apparel collection will celebrate this by merging original Gola styles with contemporary designs and the latest trends.

“Our customers expect the best combination of quality, heritage and on-trend design and this new apparel collection delivers all of that,” said Gola’s managing director, Tony Evans. “We’re extremely pleased to be partnering with Global Brands to launch this new range that builds on our sportswear pedigree with up-to-date styles that will appeal to both new and existing Gola fans.”

Natalie Horne, associate vice president of licensing at IMG, added: “We are really excited about this collaboration between Gola and Global Brands, and to be combining Gola’s unique style with the latest fashion trends for the brand’s first European-wide apparel collection. We have no doubt the new collection will be very popular.”

Luxury pen maker Conway Stewart inks partnership with Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum

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The ink is still drying on a new deal between the luxury pen maker, Conway Stewart and the famous Oxford institution, the Ashmolean Museum, that will see the development of a series of Ashmolean Pens.

The partnership – brokered by Ian Downes and Start Licensing – will see the pen sold in a limited edition of 200, retailing at £595. The first Ashmolean Pen is based on the Conway Stewart iconic Churchill pen and has been produced in the Oxford University Blue with nine carat gold trim with English hallmarks.

WA2001.18; Ruskin bust with the “John Ruskin Pen”

The theme of the first pen in the series is John Ruskin. Closely connected with Oxford and the Ashmolean, Ruskin studied as an undergraduate at Christ Church, and remained connected with Oxford for most of his life. He went on to establish his drawing school at Oxford in 1871.

Ruskin was well known for his writing and also sketching. The Ashmolean Museum houses a significant amount of Ruskin’s work including detailed sketches and paintings of rocks, plants, birds, landscapes, architectural structures and ornamentation. The release of the pen dovetails with the opening of The Ashmolean Museum’s latest exhibition “Pre-Raphaelites Drawings and Watercolours” which will include a number of Ruskin’s works.

The Ashmolean Pen will also feature the Ashmolean’s founder Elias Ashmole’s hand-written ‘Statutes Orders & Rules’ heading on the barrel of each pen as a further link to the Museum and its history. The Ashmolean Museum is the world’s first public museum and the world’s first university museum. The Museum first opened its doors in 1683.

The pen will be sold in a presentation box and will include a bottle of ink plus a specially developed booklet that sets out the history of the Ashmolean Museum and gives an insight into John Ruskin’s life. The booklet was written by The Ashmolean Museum adding a further layer of authenticity to the partnership.

Conway Stewart, meanwhile, was founded in 1905. Conway Stewart’s pens were famous for their vibrant coloured and stylish pens in the 1920s. In the 1940s, the innovation designed into each made them Winston’s Churchill’s pen of choice. Its pens, including the Ashmolean pen, are designed and manufactured in the UK.

Ian Downes from Start Licensing said: “We are delighted to see The Ashmolean Museum and Conway Stewart working together. The Ashmolean pen is a unique and original product that makes great use of the Ashmolean’s collection and highlights their unique place in the Museum world.

“Conway Stewart is an expert in its field and has developed a fantastic product. We believe the Limited Edition will prove extremely popular and we hope the John Ruskin pen will be the first in a series of pens from the Ashmolean. Conway Stewart also delivers a strong marketing platform for the product and have access to a global community of pen collectors. It is a consumer group who we think will respond well to the Ashmolean’s collection.”

Dec McCarthy from the Ashmolean Museum, added: “This is a wonderful collaboration for the Ashmolean, and we are delighted to be associated with such an iconic brand as Conway Stewart.”

Alastair Adams MD of Conway Stewart, said: “I have loved working with the team at the Ashmolean Museum to produce this pen, doing the research and learning about the amazing collection on display in Oxford. I would urge all readers to visit this wonderful museum.”

Forget the crackers, Gromit: Dean’s launches a range of Wallace & Gromit shortbread and biscuits

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The Aberdeenshire-based bakers Dean’s has launched a collection of shortbread and biscuits in collaboration with Aardman Studio and its iconic characters, Wallace and Gromit.

The new range features five biscuit flavours, three special keepsake tins containing Dean’s melt in the mouth all butter shortbread and will extend to include an assortment tin in time for Christmas.

The biscuit range features postcard images of Wallace and Gromit on holiday at popular spots around the UK. Using these images as inspiration, Dean’s developed five biscuit flavours: chocolate chunk, stem ginger, oat and honey, strawberries and cream, and savoury cheddar bites. 

Dean’s managing director, Bill Dean, said: “We are incredibly excited to be launching this new range featuring Wallace & Gromit. Wallace & Gromit have enormous appeal across age ranges from eight to 80. Collaborating with such a well-loved British institution in this way will help introduce Dean’s baking to a wider customer base. It is exciting to think of a new audience engaging with the Dean’s brand and enjoying our shortbread and biscuits.”

Adam Vincent-Garland, category manager, Interactive & Toys at Aardman added: “Just like the rest of us; Wallace & Gromit have been staying in the UK this year. But the unique partnership with Dean’s has allowed the duo to share beautiful images of their travels around the country.

“Along with some delicious complimentary biscuit flavours. Including; Honey and Scotch Oats beside the Loch Ness and Savoury Cheddar at the foot of Cheddar Gorge, to name just a few. Working with Dean’s has been an absolute pleasure and we can’t wait to see the mouth-watering biscuits in stores coming soon.”

The collaboration with Aardman for the Wallace and Gromit range follows in the footsteps of successful partnerships with Steven Brown Art in 2017, Oor Wullie in 2019 and Villager Jim in 2020.  

The Wallace and Gromit biscuits and shortbread are available to buy now from WH Smith travel retail stores, Harvey Nichols Foodmarket and on Dean’s website. 

The RHS partners with Ulster Weavers to launch new range of kitchen textiles

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The Royal Horticultural Society has partnered with Ulster Weavers, an award-winning home textiles company, to launch a new range of kitchen textiles.

Called the Spring Floral collection, the new range offers a selection of textiles and accessories, including a luxury cotton apron, printed tea towels, quilted oven gloves and mitts, a crafted tea cosy with accompanying mug, and a selection of durable and reusable shopping and PVC bags and packable roll-up bag.

The range, which launched in mid-February, is available at a wide range of garden centres and garden shops, department stores and gift shops. It is also available online via the Ulster Weavers website and independent gift websites. The collection is expected to appeal to a wide demographic that includes discerning consumers, garden lovers and the design-aware of all ages.

The new range, which uses imagery from the RHS Lindley Collections – the world’s finest collection of botanical art – incorporates nature-inspired designs featuring bold colour palettes complemented with classic prints and muted floral fabrics.

The design is inspired in particular by the walks enjoyed by the collection’s designer Mona Sweeney during lockdown.

She said: “What really captured my attention was the beauty and vibrancy of the wildflowers I noticed while I was out walking. Here was a moment worth sharing and recreating, I thought – one that reflected the simple pleasures and slower pace of life we were adjusting to. The fields, the great blue sky above, the wonderful diversity of the fauna and flora; these formed the basis for the entire collection.”

Ulster Weavers is based in Northern Ireland with a history that can be traced back to the nineteenth century and prides itself on the production of high-quality linen and textile products sold, not only in the UK and Ireland, but throughout the world.

This is the latest collection to come from a partnership between RHS and Ulster Weavers, which has produced many popular collections combining quality, durability, functionality and timeless designs for the modern home.

Annie David, head of innovation, Ulster Weavers, said: “Using the treasure trove that is the RHS Lindley Collections we have illustrated this collection with an array of delicate flowers and colourful butterflies in a way that, we feel, captures the beauty of the everyday in the world around us. Our partnership with the RHS has once again inspired some wonderful kitchen textiles.”

 Cathy Snow, licensing manager, RHS, added: “This meadow design is a beautiful reminder of the joys of slowing down and contemplating nature, with fresh, light modern colours taking us back to memories of swaying wildflowers in the sun. It’s an appealing and elegant collection that is also sturdy and practical. It will, I’m sure, be another big success for the RHS/Ulster Weavers partnership at retail.”

Iceland extends its range of Barratt confectionery ice lollies to include Foam Bananas, Cola Bottle, and Milk Bottle flavours

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The popular confectionery brand, Barratt, is tripling the number of SKUs in its range of ice cream lollies exclusive to Iceland, with eight new flavours inspired by the likes of Foam Bananas, Cola Bottles, and Nougat, joining the existing four across Iceland stores from April 12th.

The extension of the range follows on from the success of the licensed collaboration, arranged by Barratt’s brand licensing agent The Point. 1888, in summer 2020 that saw more than 1.3 million units sold within the first 12 weeks of launch.

Building on the original line-up of Flumps, Black Jack, Fruit Salad, and Dip Dab flavours, this year’s range will include Foam Banana, Wham, Cola Bottle. Milk Bottle, Strawberry Milkshake, Nougat, Anglo Bubbly, and Sherbert Fountain. The range is designed to recreate the  feeling of eating a classic sweet, with many of the ice lollies offering a fun nod to the original sweets.

In developing the range, Barrat has kept the calorie-conscious in mind, with the Flump lolly consisting of only 55kcal per lolly.

The extended range is expected to fly off shelves and will be well supported with TV and press advertising, a Barratt Branded Freezer unit and store window POS.

Russell Tanner, marketing and category director, commented on Iceland’s investment in the wider range: “After our ice cream range sold six times faster than expected in 2020, investing in additional products was a no-brainer. The Barratt ice cream range is a simple way to bring a little bit of excitement to the supermarket shop, and is aligned perfectly with our fun and fizzy brand experience.

“Working with Iceland, It was really important to both parties that the new products delivered on quality and experience to satisfy discerning Iceland shoppers and Barratt fans.

“The runaway success has shown us just how well-loved the Barratt brand is and opened up doors for the brand in terms of exploring licensing opportunities across new food categories.”

Sally Bentley, senior buyer at Iceland said: “We’re thrilled to be extending our range with Barratt and it’s been fantastic to see how the brand has resonated with our customers.”

Bethan Garton, The Point.1888’s commercial director, commented: “As the success of the launch last summer proved, we struck gold with our ice cream range of Barratt’s best loved brands. With the time and attention invested in the product development and flavour profile matching we’re thrilled the range will once again be hitting the shops, bigger and better than before.”

Lisle Licensing seals Hallmark, Moonpig, and Carousel Calendars for US brand Kate Smith Company

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The UK licensing agent, Lisle Licensing has sealed three early deals for the US brand, Kate Smith Company in the greetings card, online greetings, and calendar categories, tapping Hallmark, Moonpig, and Carousel Calendars.

Kate Smith Company is a brand on a mission to make humans smile. Its origins started several years ago in the greetings card sector with its own ‘From Frank’ brand. Lisle Licensing has secured an agreement with Hallmark as master greetings partner which will see a comprehensive range of cards launch later this year.   

Moonpig has also been appointed as the online greeting card partner and will offer a variety of the Kate Smith Company lines which have become so popular across the USA and Canada, but are particularly renowned for sending uplifting, happy, positive vibes blended with its vibrant art design house-style.

The range will also be extended in the coming months with designs that can be personalised to add that extra personal touch and make an even bigger impact.

Lastly, Carousel Calendars will launch 2022 dated calendars and diaries.   

All three licensees were brokered by Lisle Licensing who has already seen strong interest in Kate Smith Company’s brands, demonstrating its potential to expand into further categories. Discussions are already taking place with gifting, stationery, and additional categories.. 

Francesca lisle, managing director at Lisle Licensing, said: “When we first set eyes upon Kate Smith Company and saw their success in the USA and Canada, we instinctively knew they had a fantastic future in the UK quite simply because of their humorous, cheeky and happy brand which will aspire to consumers here. 

“We are thrilled that licensees agree with us, and to have got them off to a fantastic start in key categories and strong partners.”

Jen Stephenson, UK head of licensing, Hallmark added: “We’re delighted to be working with Kate Smith Company and so excited about our partnership. Kate is a wonderful designer and we absolutely love her fun, funny, quirky and playful style. As soon as we saw her card designs they made us smile and we knew straight away her brand would be a perfect fit for Hallmark.”

Martin Rees-Davies, product, licensing lead, at Carousel Calendars, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kate and her amazing designs and captions. With the year that we have all had I have no hesitation that the vibrant colours and designs will bring a much- needed smile to everyone’s face.”

Roy’s Boys launches new baby and toddler leggings as team promises ‘further expansion plans in months to come’

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Roy’s Boys is launching a new addition to its matching family socks range with the introduction of a new line of leggings featuring family favourites Pepper Pig, Hey Duggee, and Little Miss Sunshine. The new leggings range will be added to throughout the year.

The expansion of the family range arrives following a year of ‘unprecedented growth’ via the Roy’s Boys website, marking just the beginning of plans to further build the portfolio over the coming months.

“Since lockdown began last March, we have seen unprecedented growth on our Roy’s Boys site that is incredibly exciting for us all,” said Hannah Lowe, account manager and self-named Roy’s Boys’ favourite child.

“We want to continue to keep things fresh and new for our customers to keep them coming back for more. Leggings are definitely the beginning of our expansion, hold tight for more news in the months to come.”

Ben Lowe, First Boy at the family run business, added: “We have taken Roy’s way of makign the perfect sock, and applied it to these baby and toddler leggings. A soft combed cotton, and a super springy backing yarn create leggings that hug and wear well.

“The only seams are around the nappy panel, and we have made them to lie as flat as possible on the fabric. As always, our aim it to maintain a high quality product that will even last the test of a toddler.”

View the collection of leggings here https://roysboyssocks.co.uk/collections/childrens-character-leggings 

Josh, Roy’s First Marketing Guru, concluded: “Over the past year, like many companies we have experienced constant change and we are rolling with it. One of the main focus’ of our business for the year ahead is our online growth, as this is now over 50 per cent of our business.

“Retail and the way consumers are shopping is evolving rapidly and we as a company pride ourselves in being adaptable, maintaining a rapid response and changing with it. With Roy’s Boys, we believe that the quality and giftable presentation set us aside from other retailers and keep customers coming back for more.”

Iconix Brand Group celebrates 50 years of Starter with Zara spring/summer capsule collection

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Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the athletic brand, Starter, the Iconix Brand Group has scored a new partnership with the global high street brand, Zara to develop and sell a capsule collection for spring/summer 2021.

Established in 1971, the Starter brand quickly became an innovator in global sports brands by connecting fans with their favourite teams and players, and pioneering the fusion of sports clothing with popular culture by partnering with major professional sports leagues, colleges, Olympic sports, and individual athletes.

What began with the now iconic star logo and the idea that ‘Every athlete dreams of being a starting player,’ the brand went on to become a leading part of sports fans’ lives. Starter quickly expanded beyond sport, drawing influence from music and pop culture, too, with key moments including Joe Torre of the New York Mets stepping onto the field wearing the first authentic Starter satin jacket.

Daisy Laramy-Binks, managing director of Iconix Europe, said: “I am delighted to see the iconic global Starter brand and the powerhouse that is Zara come together for this exciting partnership which will provide the Zara customer with a fashion-forward take on American heritage sportswear at its best.”

The multi-category collection for spring/summer 2021 to mark the 50th celebration will include pieces such as women’s T-shirts, a vest dress, crop top, shorts, joggers, reversible bucket hat, and a bodysuit. The color story will encapsulate Spring Summer hues of pink, white and the Starter brand’s signature blue, to give a contemporary sports-inspired look.

Zara has become a key fast fashion High Street retailer, with the parent company Inditex selling in 202 markets through its online platform or its over 7,000 stores in 96 markets, Zara has the highest store count of 2,118 across all of the Inditex brands.

Nurturing a highly intimate relationship with its customers, Zara’s designers respond instinctively to their changing needs, reacting to the latest trends and constant feedback received across its Woman, Man and Kids’ collections, to deliver new ideas in the right place and at the right moment.

The collection is now available on Zara.com and in select stores Internationally (where permissible due to the lockdown restrictions).