For this year, BBC’s UK charity, Children in Need, which has raised over £600 million ($960 million) since 1980 to help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, has managed to bring together 30 most famous names of fashion to design its mascot Pudsey Bear. All 28 inch bears will be auctioned off at Christie’s on November 15, with all proceeds going to the celebrated children’s charity, but before that the whole collection is exclusively exhibited in the London & Manchester Selfridges stores from 24 October until the 14 November 2012.
Charity’s iconic yellow bear has been restyled using a variety of different fabrics from suede to leather, silk to Swarovski Crystals and applying different techniques and before all different individual approach. Maybe the most interesting are Burberry’s English Gentleman Pudsey dressed in their classic trench coat, Gucci’s Equestrian Pudsey, Prada’s Schoolboy Pudsey complete with the brand’s creeper brogues and Tom Ford’s Suave Pudsey wearing a white suit, bow tie, Aviator-style sunlgasses and trilby.
“Selfridges is delighted to support such a purposeful and creative project,” said Selfridges creative director Alannah Weston. “It is wonderful to see such remarkable talent helping this most worthy of causes.”
30 participating brands include Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, Loewe, Sibling, Mulberry, Giles Deacon made with Swarovski Elements, Katie Hillier, Henry Holland, Louis Vuitton, Jonathan Saunders, Selfridges, Alexander McQueen, Smythson, Victoria Beckham, Prada, Donatella Versace, Missoni, Pucci, Gucci, Norton and Sons, Diane Von Furstenberg, Fendi, Balenciaga, Anya Hindmarch, Vogue, GQ, Kate Spade New York and Tom Ford.
Sarah Monteith, director of marketing and fundraising for BBC Children in Need, said: “We are absolutely elated to have such prestigious designers turn Pudsey into a fashion icon once again. And to have Selfridges exhibit this one-off collection, allows everyone to view a piece of fashion history. A truly inspirational fundraising initiative.”
Anya Hindmarch, Paul Smith and Selfridges have also created 10 inch limited edition Designer Pudseys, also on sale exclusively in Selfridges from 24 October 2012.
