Miffy partners with BYBORRE for knitwear and accessories collection

Miffy – the iconic bunny character created by graphic artist Dick Bruna – is launching  a new limited-edition, responsibly sourced men’s knitwear and accessories range.

The collection has been created by BYBORRE, a Dutch textile innovation company committed to democratizing the textile industry by offering transparency, reliability and freedom in textile creation.

To achieve this, BYBORRE uses its award-winning software platform Create™ to allow the design, sampling and production of textiles all in one place in the company’s Amsterdam-based knitlab, or via its transparent ecosystem of suppliers. This approach means less waste and more design freedom for the company and the creators with which it collaborates.

Dick Bruna’s illustrative style – recognised worldwide – captures the essence of a character or story with just a few lines and a small range of colours.

BYBORRE has mirrored this style, producing a capsule collection of refined menswear where the simple designs play with the scale of Bruna’s artwork; some garments feature large-scale linework, others feature smaller repeat patterns, some just feature subtle imprints of Miffy’s iconic silhouette. The palette of colours, like Bruna’s, is limited.

The collection spans men’s staples such as a suit jacket, trousers and button tee, as well as key pieces that have featured in previous BYBORRE limited edition ranges but have evolved here – including an open-back vest, layer shirt and an A-type jacket.

The range also includes lifestyle accessories comprising a versatile everyday bag, a large woven blanket, a FIDLOCK equipped Keycord and a classic 5-Panel cap.

Marja Kerkhof, MD of Mercis, which manages the Miffy brand, says: “The new BYBORRE collection is an important step in the evolution of our global collections for the Miffy brand. Not only is the range responsibly produced – something we want more of our licensees to consider – but it also showcases Miffy’s design kudos and unisex appeal, together with the creative flexibility Dick Bruna’s work offers.”

Borre Akkersdijk, CCO of BYBORRE, adds: “It has been a privilege to pay homage to Dick Bruna’s art in our 10th Limited Edition. We hope it will inspire creators worldwide ‘to be part of something bigger’ by creating consciously bespoke textiles that don’t impact the planet.”

The Miffy BYBORRE limited edition range is now available from Selfridges in the UK and www.byborre.com

Pokémon’s 25th birthday celebrations continue with Selfridges toy-space takeovers

The Pokémon Company International has taken over part of Selfridges’ toy space in three UK stores.

The pop-up activation, which launched on December 13 and will run until the end of January, forms part of the final celebrations of the yearlong celebration of the brand’s 25th anniversary.

Special branded areas have been created at the Selfridges stores on Oxford Street in London, in Birmingham’s Bullring and in the Trafford Centre in Manchester, to promote the Pokémon range in-store and provide a fun and immersive experience for fans of all ages. In addition to a wide selection of Pokémon products, the activation also offers great photo opportunities, including costume character visits to the Oxford Street store

The Pokémon spaces have a Pikachu motif — the iconic Pokémon has been the face of the 25th anniversary. Its bright yellow image can be seen on displays and shelving, as well as digital screens that share promotional content from the different Pokémon brand pillars.

Winner of Best Gaming Licensed Property at the 2021 Licensing Awards, Pokémon is offering a wide range of product across the pop-ups, including special 25th anniversary items.

On display are toys from Jazwares (distributed by Character Options), including an exciting relaunch of the volcano-themed backpack playset, as well as new silver figurines and Pokémon plush. Construction sets from Mattel, collectibles from the Wand Company and Funko Pop! exclusives are also available. The Wand Company’s new Poké Balls feature their latest release, the Dusk Ball replica, while new Funko Pop! Pokémon include silver metallic anniversary figurines.

The new launch from the market-leading Pokémon Trading Card Game is also available. Pokémon TCG: Celebrations commemorates 25 years of the brand and includes remakes of classic TCG cards. Jointly featured is the newly released Sword & Shield—Fusion Strike expansion.

“We are delighted to team up once more with Selfridges for this exciting activity,” says Mathieu Galante, Licensing Director (EMEA) forThe Pokémon Company International. “We have had an amazing year as we’ve celebrated our 25th anniversary and there could be no better way to conclude the festivities than with this takeover in such a prestigious store. We’re sure fans old and new will be thrilled with what’s on offer when they visit these fun and vibrant Pokémon pop-ups.”

The takeover follows a successful collaboration with Selfridges in 2018, at its flagship Oxford Street store, which featured a branded wall, exclusive merchandise and a special event.

Yahoo Ryot Lab, Charli Cohen and Selfridges create virtual 3D experience for limited edition Charli Cohen x Pokémon collection

Yahoo Ryot Lab, Charli Cohen and Selfridges create virtual 3D experience for limited edition Charli Cohen x Pokémon collection

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pokémon, Yahoo Ryot Lab – Yahoo’s immersive storytelling production house – has partnered with Selfridges and London-based fashion designer Charli Cohen to launch Electric/City, an innovative “cyberpunk” online shopping experience. The collaboration gives fans exclusive access to browse and buy limited-edition garments from the Charli Cohen x Pokémon range, as well as an exclusive Charli Cohen digital-only range.

The digital environment enables fans to discover the Charli Cohen collections through an immersive, 360-degree video experience, where shoppers can explore within a “cyberpunk” take on fashion capitals around the world, decorated with neon signs inspired by and celebrating the iconic Pokémon character, Pikachu. Hotspots within the virtual world will enable fans to buy items from the Pokémon physical collection to be delivered to their home.

Working in collaboration with Charli Cohen, as well as partners BlockV, Wolf 3D and Aircards, Yahoo Ryot Lab has created an additional bespoke digital Charli Cohen collection, separate from the Pokémon collection, for fans to purchase exclusively in the 3D, immersive virtual store that can be accessed in browsers across mobile and desktop at ElectricCity.co. Digital Charli Cohen garments purchased in Electric/City will be redeemed into an account-secured web-based digital wallet, provided by BlockV, that will enable them to be on show for new owners across different digital platforms.

The Charli Cohen x Pokémon physical collection unlocks:

  • Snapchat: Fans can celebrate the 25th anniversary using an exclusive snap lens attached to every garment

The Charli Cohen digital garments unlock:

  • ReadyPlayerMe: Fans can create their own avatars with Charli Cohengarments to view in AR and share socially, as well as being able to use the wider Charli Cohen collection for their virtual avatars across 500+ other virtual platforms, including VRChat, Somnium Space and Mozilla Hubs.
  • Snapchat: Fans can alsodigitally wear a Charli Cohen outfit with an AR body tracking Snapchat lens.

“We are focused on helping creators and brands bring their immersive experiences to life across the metaverse,” says Sam Field, Director of Creative Technology, EMEA at Yahoo. “Over the last 18 months, we’ve seen huge consumer demand for immersive experiences. For Electric/City, we’ve built what we call a Brandiverse: a hybrid of emerging technologies that create immersive brand experiences at scale. This project combines 3D virtual environments, 4K video streaming, 3D design software for digital clothing, motion capture, blockchain-enabled digital collectibles, augmented reality and more. As an industry rooted in innovation, our Brandiverse is a natural fit for fashion brands – embracing the power of immersive storytelling to allow people to explore their identity through fashion in new ways and throughout their physical and digital lives. The combination of The Pokémon Company International, Charli Cohen’s focus on tech-inspired fashion, and a retail powerhouse like Selfridges makes for an incredibly exciting collaboration.”

 

 

 

 

Zion Rootswear and Selfridges celebrate Black History Month with exclusive Bob Marley clothing collection

Zion Rootswear has partnered with Selfridges to launch an exclusive clothing collection inspired by the spirit and ethos of the reggae icon Bob Marley in celebration of UK Black History Month. The collaboration was brought together by Bravado, Universal Music Group’s merchandise and brand management company.

The range takes inspiration from Marley’s outspoken commitment to social justice and unity; a voice that the partnership underlines is still relevant today.

The collection is comprised of five t-shirts, two long sleeve t-shirts, three hoodies, a denim jacket, a pair of jeans, a cap and a beanie each featuring images of Marley, including a poignant picture of the artist-activist being stopped by the police, and his words: ‘Stand Up For Your Rights’, a slogan drawn from his iconic track ‘Get Up, Stand Up’.

Cedella Marley, daughter of Bob Marley, said: “Daddy’s message of love, courage and unity is so relevant right now. A moment in time that to this day seems unthinkable yet is so real. This collection is something special and to have it launch during Black History Month, makes it that bit more important to us, a perfect time to reiterate the essence of my father’s legacy.”

Grounded in his view that “if humankind failed to stand together, it would fail to stand at all”, Marley embedded his views into his music, a unique sound that shook the world, crossing cultural, racial and socio-economic borders, from the small island of Jamaica.

Daved Bridges, creative development and special projects manager, added: “Bob’s legacy extends far beyond his timeless music. We’re honoured to continue to play a part in delivering his message to the world through inspired, meaningful and stand-out ways.”

Creative Licensing brings Terminator 2: Judgement Day to high street fashion with French designer Etudes

Creative Licensing Corporation is bring the dystopian worlds of Terminator 2: Judgement Day and the French film La Planete Sauvage to the fashion aisles through a new partnership with the French fashion designer, Etudes.

Under the partnership, the fashion label will launch a men’s collection featuring designs inspired by Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Autumn/Winter 2020-21 collection made its debut during Paris Fashion Week in January this year, and was lauded by the New York Times and Paris Vogue.

The collection will now be seen in stores worldwide, including in the UK’s Selfridges, from this autumn, bringing the classic movie and the pop culture following it has garnered over the years to the high street fashion space.

The collection also includes designs inspired by the French film, La Planete Sauvage. Together, the two films share a dystopian view of the world which Etudes has interpreted into menswear that includes heatmap prints, slick leather trenches with shades of grey and silver coated outerwear.

The range has been described as ‘robotic and psychedelic’ and follows Etudes own memory bank to deliver a ‘transcontinental discourse on 20th century science fiction and its intentions for nature and technology,’ according to Aurelien Arbet, creative director, Etudes.

“We are delighted to see this inspired take on the world famous T2. It confirms the timeless beauty of the film and its elements,” said Kim Penny, EVP, Creative Licensing.

The EtudesT2 Collection can be found here:  https://www.etudes-studio.com/collections/etudes-x-terminator-2

Terminator 2 is owned by STUDIOCANAL. Creative Licensing represents STUDIOCANAL and T2 for merchandise licensing. 

Selfridges launches Project Earth a sustainability campaign to change the way people shop by 2025

Selfridges has launched its new sustainability initiative, Project Earth, a commitment from the retailer to change the way we all shop by 2025. It builds on the steps that Selfridges has taken over the last decade to put sustainability at the centre of its business.

Through Project Earth, the department store aims to help customers change the way they shop in three ways: by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models such as repair and resell, and engaging with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mind-sets.

The company will work with over 300 brand partners and be supported by the Woodland Trust and WWF to kickstart an eight-week campaign of experiments, innovations, and conversations across all of its stores and online. Selfridges has underlined its dedication to reinventing retail.

Underpinning Project Earth is a broader commitment to Science Based Targets and to achieve Net-zero carbon by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. Project Earth will be supported by a programme of events and activities to engage with issues, amplify conversations and challenge mindsets by exploring the most exciting ideas in sustainability with some of the most influential thinkers in the space.

There will be a series of 13 talks, takeovers and screenings with 10 partners such as How To Academy and Intelligence Squared and more than 20 events engaging with stories, brands and services to engage customers with the future of shopping.

Alannah Weston, Selfridges group chairman, said: “For the last decade we have taken ground-breaking steps to put people and planet at the heart of our business, embedding sustainability alongside creativity. Project Earth is not only our bold, new commitment to stretching environmental targets, it is about imagining new ways to do business, within the next five years.

“Since Project Ocean in 2011, Selfridges has been focused on changing mindsets around sustainability both inside our industry and in conversation with our customer. Out of the global pandemic has come an understanding of how fragile and complex our systems are, but also how our planet and people can benefit if we act collectively with a shared purpose.

“Now more than ever we must double down on our efforts to reinvent retail with sustainability at its heart and a way of working which is regenerative for humans and nature. Achieving our ambitions won’t be easy, but we are in a unique position to be able to work with our team members, partners and customers to co-create change and explore possibilities for a sustainable future.”

Anne Pitcher, global managing director of Selfridges Group, added: “In a way we never could have predicted, the cycle of consumption has been broken by the pandemic marking a moment of change in our customers to a more considered mindset and requiring us to set new expectations for retail.

“We firmly believe evolving the way we do business and supporting change in the way people shop is essential to building a more sustainable business. Selfridges has the platform to change how shopping is done wrapped up in the destinations, experiences and inspiration customers want from us. And the tough, stretching targets we have set ourselves underpin our commitment to change our business and our ambition to imagine and create a sustainable future for our customers.”

Selfridges launches Project Earth a sustainability campaign to change the way people shop by 2025

Selfridges has launched its new sustainability initiative, Project Earth, a commitment from the retailer to change the way we all shop by 2025. It builds on the steps that Selfridges has taken over the last decade to put sustainability at the centre of its business.

Through Project Earth, the department store aims to help customers change the way they shop in three ways: by addressing the materials used in products, launching and exploring new retail models such as repair and resell, and engaging with teams, partners and customers to inspire a shift in mind-sets.

The company will work with over 300 brand partners and be supported by the Woodland Trust and WWF to kickstart an eight-week campaign of experiments, innovations, and conversations across all of its stores and online. Selfridges has underlined its dedication to reinventing retail.

Underpinning Project Earth is a broader commitment to Science Based Targets and to achieve Net-zero carbon by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. Project Earth will be supported by a programme of events and activities to engage with issues, amplify conversations and challenge mindsets by exploring the most exciting ideas in sustainability with some of the most influential thinkers in the space.

There will be a series of 13 talks, takeovers and screenings with 10 partners such as How To Academy and Intelligence Squared and more than 20 events engaging with stories, brands and services to engage customers with the future of shopping.

Alannah Weston, Selfridges group chairman, said: “For the last decade we have taken ground-breaking steps to put people and planet at the heart of our business, embedding sustainability alongside creativity. Project Earth is not only our bold, new commitment to stretching environmental targets, it is about imagining new ways to do business, within the next five years.

“Since Project Ocean in 2011, Selfridges has been focused on changing mindsets around sustainability both inside our industry and in conversation with our customer. Out of the global pandemic has come an understanding of how fragile and complex our systems are, but also how our planet and people can benefit if we act collectively with a shared purpose.

“Now more than ever we must double down on our efforts to reinvent retail with sustainability at its heart and a way of working which is regenerative for humans and nature. Achieving our ambitions won’t be easy, but we are in a unique position to be able to work with our team members, partners and customers to co-create change and explore possibilities for a sustainable future.”

Anne Pitcher, global managing director of Selfridges Group, added: “In a way we never could have predicted, the cycle of consumption has been broken by the pandemic marking a moment of change in our customers to a more considered mindset and requiring us to set new expectations for retail.

“We firmly believe evolving the way we do business and supporting change in the way people shop is essential to building a more sustainable business. Selfridges has the platform to change how shopping is done wrapped up in the destinations, experiences and inspiration customers want from us. And the tough, stretching targets we have set ourselves underpin our commitment to change our business and our ambition to imagine and create a sustainable future for our customers.”