Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear has never looked so stylish after getting made over by a host of British fashion's leading lights.
BY Sophie de Rose
Mulberry's creative director Emma Hill explained how she created a leather bear at the Mulberry factory in deepest Somerset. 'The Mulberry Fashion Pudsey is inspired by our brand heritage and English tradition. As Mulberry began 40 years ago with, and is still loved for leather accessories we decided to use leather for Fashion Pudsey. He comes in the same Soft Buffalo leather we use for our Alexa bag and his colour is classic Oak with Chocolate paws and mouth - two of the most iconic Mulberry colours!
'Mulberry Pudsey's eyes and nose are made from our famous gunmetal grey rivets and he has a Mulberry fob on the back of his neck so people know exactly who he is - just in case he gets lost! The finishing touch is Pudsey's bandana, made from the same Mulberry tree monogram material that lines our handbags - all in all a very Mulberry bear!'
Hill admits that Children in Need is a cause very close to her heart because of her six-year-old son, Hudson. 'I have enjoyed watching the broadcast year after year and certainly feel like I have grown up with the show, watching the amazing things people do to support children in our country and see the fantastic way everyone unites to raise money is truly inspiring. We were delighted to be asked and we hope our Fashion Bear does Children In Need proud in the auction!'
It turns out that the Mulberry employees have become rather attached to the Mulberry Fashion Pudsey. 'Working on the project was a pleasure and caused much excitement in both our Somerset factory and in our London office! We'll be very sad to see him go but hopefully he'll find a loving and generous home.'
