Cath Kidston Collaborates with Care Bears

Cath Kidston, a British lifestyle brand, has released a new range of eight hand-painted prints to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Care Bears. 

Inspired by the original watercolor paintings by Elena Kucharik in the early ’80s, the limited-edition collaboration organized in association with U.K. agent, Bulldog Licensing, plays on the color and print that is used regularly by Cath Kidson. 

Arriving in time for Christmas, the pieces, featuring moons and stars, rainbows and flowers, love hearts and cupcakes, create a range suited for adults and kids alike. 

The Care Bears feature on prints such as the Wish Big print, with garlands of stars, clouds, hearts and flowers and with the Care Bears presented as classic cherubs. In the Believe print, the Care Bears are adventuring across watercolor flowers, hearts, rainbows, cupcakes and moons – with the pattern layered in horizontal stripes across the night sky. The Bedtime Bear print sees the Care Bears floating on clouds in a midnight sky, watched over by the moon and stars. 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. Signature Cath Kidston roses combined with the Care Bears stand out against either the black or pale lilac of the plain backgrounds. 

Related:Cath Kidston, The World of Peter Rabbit Collab During 120th Anniversary

The range is launching both online and at the brand’s flagship store in Piccadilly on Nov. 14. Offered across all of Cath Kidston’s product categories from homeware to apparel and accessories, including new teenage sizing, the limited-edition range ensures it can reach fans of all ages. 

“Our aim at Cath Kidston is to bring joy with our hand-painted prints and, paired with Care Bears, this charm became unstoppable,” says Holly Marler, creative director, Cath Kidston. “Inspired by the comforting 1980s watercolors 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, blousy roses and beautiful dreamscapes, where even the stars smile. With the amazing rainbow colors and heartwarming messages, it was truly wonderful to design a creation of caring this Christmas.”