BlackMilk Clothing celebrates 25 years of Pokémon with second wave clothing collection

The clothing specialist, BlackMilk is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pokémon this year with a second collection of clothing featuring some of the franchise’s best-loved characters.

The new range launches following the success of its first ‘hugely popular’ Pokémon collection, released back in June 2020, that went on to prompt a restocking of the entire collection due to customer demand. It was only inevitable that BlackMilk would be looking to emulate the success with a new selection in the brand’s anniversary year.

Pokémon fans will be able to shop from a range of nearly 50 pieces featuring BlackMilk’s signature bold prints as well as specially designed Pokémon-themed fabrics. As Pokémon celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the new Pokémon collection from BlackMilk will feature the iconic Pikachu, the first partner Pokémon from the various regions in the Pokémon universe, and other fan favourites such as Eevee, Snorlax, Psyduck, and Jigglypuff. 

The collection will be available to shop online via BlackMilk Clothing’s website from 7am (AEST), March 2nd 2021.

Just this week, The Pokémon Company cited significant increases in sales of its Trading Card Game and Jazwares toy line over the course of 2020, driven by a surging popularity of the 25 year old entertainment franchise. Licensing partners of The Pokémon Company, including the likes of board gaming giant Asmodee, have earmarked the year ahead as the year for Pokémon, as the brand continues to roll out anniversary-focused products and partnerships.

Sanrio expands its Dr Marten’s partnership to introduce Hello Kitty and Friends to latest range

Dr Martens has expanded on its collaborative partnership with Sanrio’s Hello Kitty brand for a new collection that introduces the extended Hello Kitty and Friends character line-up to the footwear specialist for the first time.

Under the deal, characters like Bad Badtz-Maru, My Melody, and Kerokerokeroppi now find themselves adorning classic DM lines, including its 1460 boot and popular Jadon boot ranges.

Boasting highly-detailed designs, the partnerships has been described as a ‘clash of colour’ as the Hello Kitty and Friends cast join an amped boot range, with details stretching to red and white laces and even the three-colour puritan stitch of the DM boot now in Teal, Yellow, and Pink.

The Jadon boot in particular features an evolution of DM’s favoured eight-eye silhouette, built on a stacked Quad platform sole. The Hello Kitty Jadon is fitted with colourful upper stitching, four different colour eyelets, and Sanrio motifs, as well as a side zip with a Hello Kitty red bow zip pull.

Completing the adult collection is Dr Marten’s Original three-eye shoe, the 1461, detailed with an all-over print featuring characters from the Hello Kitty and Friends family. The shoes have heart-shaped eyelets and a heart key chain, and come with two sets of laces.

In the same print is a kids’ 1460 boot, printed all over with characters from the Hello Kitty and Friends family, and kitted out  with a Hello Kitty bow on the zip and lace charm. Marked with yellow stitching and an AirWair heel loop, they come with heart shaped eyelets and two matching pairs of laces in red and black. 

Sesame Street partners with HYPE. for new kids’ and adult’s fashion collection

Sesame Workshop has teamed with the fashion brand HYPE to launch a new Sesame Street collection for both kids and adults, spanning hoodies, joggers, t-shirts, backpacks, face coverings and more.

The new range is scheduled to land this month and is the result of a deal secured by Sesame Workshop’s European licensing agency, Bulldog Licensing. The collection will comprise of 55 pieces.

Boasting a matured 90’s inspired approach, the unisex adult collection features a developed tartan all-over and sleeve blocking print. With a super-soft-touch Sherpa fabric, the pullover and jogger tracksuit sets feature embroidered characters in bright pops of colour, finished with the new signature justhype logo.

HYPE.’s signature camo print is entwined with Sesame Street’s Elmo and Oscar the Grouch on the kidswear loungewear sets. Featuring on-trend embossed panelling, embroidery and piping detail, the children’s collection has a backpack to match each look.

The HYPE. x Sesame Street reusable bottles are ideal whether for pick-me-up hot chocolates or cool drinks, as the bottle will keep beverages at the perfect temperature for longer.

Vicky Hill, licensing director, Bulldog Licensing, said: “The HYPE. collection embodies the fun and vibrant energy of Sesame Street and its characters and will be the perfect addition to the wardrobes of fans young and old.”

The collection launches at www.justhype.com and selected retailers worldwide.

Frida Kahlo socks it to the man in ‘rebel style’ with new Calzedonia partnership

Art Ask Agency is continuing to grow the Frida Kahlo licensing programme – and socking it the restrictions of the pandemic –  having secured a new collaboration with the global legwear and beachwear retailer, Calzedonia.

Under the new deal, Calzedonia will launch a range of socks featuring seven different Frida Kahlo designs to cater for differing consumer targets and styles, including casual, elegant, and sports. The firm will also launch a collection of four embellished tights in a campaign that will be supplemented with marketing communications in stores worldwide.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to be partnering with the amazing team at Calzedonia for this licensed product collection and we can’t wait for the launch,” said Maria Strid, owner of Art Ask Agency.

“Kahlo’s signature style, from long circle skirts to embroidered blouses and intricate floral compositions in her hair, is rich with aesthetic imagery and has allowed the artist to resonate with audiences even in the 21st century, becoming the focus of international fashion and inspiring the collections of haute couturiers and the fashion world in general, from runways to streetwear trends,” said the Calzedonia press team in a statement.

“Socks, entirely on-trend today and stars of countless cool outfits in recent months (loungewear and otherwise), come alive with fun, bright prints in true ‘Rebel’ style.”

Erve Europe teams with Psyonix to launch Rocket League apparel collection

Erve Europe has partnered with the video game developer, Psyonix to create an extensive collection of Rocket League apparel in a deal brokered by the licensing agency, IMG.

The new Rocket League-branded line will include t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, jackets, nightwear, socks, accessories, and more. It will all feature designs inspired by the game’s most loved cars and arcade style football concept.

Tom Fabes, Erve Europe’s gaming license manager, commented: “We are very happy to be working with Rocket League. The game has been on our radar for a long time now. Reaction from retail has been very positive for the brand and we are looking forward to delivering products to consumers very soon.

“Rocket League is an awesome game with a broad fanbase, that deserves a broad distribution. And that’s exactly what we aim for.”

Launching in summer 2021, the collection will be available for purchase across Europe.

Rocket League is a high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem that has become one of the most recognisable video game brands across the globe. 

British headwear firm Tokyo Time signs collaboration deal with Misfits Gaming

Misfits Gaming Group has signed a multi-year deal with the British premium headwear brand, Tokyo Time, to become the official headwear provider of Misfits Gaming. Under the partnership, Tokyo Time will produce licensed Misfits Gaming headwear, as well as collaborate on co-branded items.

A creator of Japanese-inspired headwear, Tokyo Time launched digitally in 2018 and has continued to expand its reach through traditional sports partnerships, including with the British Basketball League, 24h Le Mans, and Prema. The latest partnership will be the company’s first collaboration on the esports industry.

“We’re excited to partner with an exciting new brand to create new products for our fans and players,” said Vas Roberts, VP, partnerships at Misfits Gaming Group. “Tokyo Time have partnered with exciting traditional sports leagues and we’re proud to be their first partner in esports.”

Paul Davison, CEO of Tokyo Time, added: “Tokyo Time is absolutely thrilled to partner up with exciting Esports team Misfits Gaming. We are looking forward to producing some exciting collaborations that will excite fans over the next few years.”

Zavvi partners footwear brand Akedo to launch Borderlands 3 and Assassin’s Creed trainers

The UK online retailer, Zavvi has teamed up with the footwear brand Akedo to launch a new limited edition gaming collection celebrating two of the biggest gaming franchises in the world, Borderlands 3 and Assassin’s Creed.

The new collection will consist of two high-top trainer designs featuring numerous motifs from the games covering one side of the sneaker, with the other side featuring their iconic logos.

The Borderlands 3 trainers will include eye-catching white logos on a black base, while the unique Assassin’s Creed Valhalla signature high-tops will feature a striking blue and white design, inspired by the actionadventure game.

Each pair of trainers are handmade and customised for every order, featuring classic lace-up fastening, a rubber toe cap and hightop silhouette.

The launch follows previous limited-edition Zavvi x Akedo footwear collections, including Wonder Woman, The Goonies and Jaws. The range will be available from 12pm on 29th January 2021, exclusive to Zavvi.com.

Condé Nast to open first immersive beauty specialist Allure Store in New York City

Condé Nast has detailed the upcoming launch of its first Allure Store to New York City’s Lafayette Street, billing the concept store as an immersive shopping experience that will feature a curated selection of the world’s best beauty products, led by Allure’s own trusted editorial voice.

The Allure Store will open as a stand-alone brick and mortar store, in partnership with STÔUR Group and will bring a physical touchpoint to the Allure offering, inviting shoppers and the beauty community at large to join the brand’s audience of over 25 million readers.

Allure is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year having seen a 20 per cent year on year increase in traffic and a 25 per cent year on year increase in time spent – a reflection, it states, of how consumers are increasingly reliant on the insights and product recommendations from trusted beauty experts.

“The Allure audience has shown that it’s intensely loyal and trusts our expertise – something we are so grateful for. We’re thrilled that the Allure Store provides us with the opportunity to really connect with them, and to truly bring the brand to life,” said Michelle Lee, Allure’s editor in chief.

“This space will allow us to introduce our brand to new beauty enthusiasts and expand the Allure family.”

The store has been designed to ’embody the future of retail’ and crafted to ‘reflect Allure’s print and digital experience while integrating the brand’s unparalleled expertise’. The store will offer the best of makeup, haircare, and skincare brands that have been featured in Allure.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Allure Store, designed to bring the brand to life with a unique and immersive shopping environment where customers can shop by Allure’s globally respected headlines for a truly seamless experience,” said Markus Grindel, managing director, global brand licensing.

“The store marks an expansion of our direct-to-consumer experiences across the globe, and we hope that this news excites those looking ahead to when in-store shopping resumes.”

Spanning 2,900 square feet over two floors, the store shelves will mirror Allure’s content themes including the iconic Best of Beauty Awards, with seasonal product changes. The store will implement augmented reality capabilities for customers to try on products, as well as smart mirrors, and will be a hub for content creation. In addition to shopping, Allure’s editorial team will regularly host in-store events, tutorials and masterclasses.

The Allure Beauty Box, a handpicked selection of editor-approved beauty products that launched in 2012, has been a success among subscribers, with revenue up 20 per cent year on year.

The Allure Store will open its doors on Lafayette Street in New York City in Fall 2021. Allure is published in the U.S. by Condé Nast and in South Korea under license agreement with Doosan Group.

Boohoo buys Debenhams brand and website – but no rescue of high street stores or workforce

The online fashion giant, Boohoo has bought the Debenhams brand in a £55 million deal that will not include rescuing the retail chain’s physical stores or its workforce.

Instead, Boohoo plans to “rebuild and relaunch the Debenhams platform” as it continues in its ambitions to lead the fashion ecommerce market, while growing into new categories such as beauty, sport, and homeware.

The brand has even hinted at taking on the likes of Amazon in the ‘creation of the UK’s largest marketplace’ across the sectors, as it expands the range of products sold via Debenhams marketplace by maintaining current third party relationships and expanding further.

The deal does not include the rescue of Debenhams’ remaining stores, which, according to those close to the topic, are now likely to be broken up and sold to the likes of Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group.

The announcement brings an end to Debenhams’ high street brand, a position it has held since 1778.

Debenhams has around 300 million website visits a year, making it a top ten UK online retailer. It’s this strength that Boohoo will now build a relaunch from.

Boohoo chief executive, John Lyttle, said: “The acquisition of the Debenhams brand is an important development for the group, as we seek to capture incremental growth opportunities arising from the accelerating shift to online retail.”

Founder and executive chairman, Mahmud Kamani, added: Our acquisition of the Debenhams brand is strategically significant as it represents a huge step which accelerates our ambition to be a leader, not just in fashion eCommerce, but in new categories, including beauty, sport, and homeware.”

Debenhams had already announces significant job losses and the permanent close of six stores, including its flagship outlet on London’s Oxford Street.

MGA Entertainment lands fashion deal with Poetic Brands for Na! Na! Na! Surprise clothing

MGA Entertainment has made its latest fashion move through a partnership with the licensed apparel specialist, Poetic Brands to launch a clothing range based on the Na! Na! Na! Surprise doll range.

The specialist apparel licensee is working on a range of children’s apparel, outerwear and swimwear, nightwear and essentials based on the new property aimed at children aged three and older.

Poetic Brands will also launch a range of face masks for Na! Na! Na! Surprise and LOL Surprise OMG dolls in the coming months.

Na! Na! Na! Surprise launched in the US in late 2019, followed by the UK in September 2020. The collectible dolls offer a new unboxing experience, featuring a balloon that when blown up and then popped provides fans with a confetti surprise.

Inside the balloon is a plush pom, which holds one of six soft posable fashion dolls, outfits and shoes. Each doll has a special nametag that explains more about their style and personality.

Anne Bradford, director, Poetic Brands, said: “With the success of LOL Surprise and LOL Surprise OMG dolls on toy and apparel at retail, and a team experienced with working on both of these products, we jumped at the opportunity to work on Na! Na! Na! Surprise.

“The concept of Na! Na! Na! Surprise is perfect for its target customer and we are looking forward to creating daywear and nightwear ranges. In addition, we are producing face masks for OMG & Na! Na! Na! Surprise.”