Babar’s 80th anniversary celebration continues in high style with the debut of a menswear collection based on the character, made in collaboration with Soulland.
PARIS -- It’s a “trunk show” like no other…! From the City of Light to the Big Apple, the party fit for a king continues for Babar, the globally-famous star of the bestselling children’s books and beloved brand, now celebrating its 80th anniversary. Babar's vintage style is being made available for today’s most fashion-forward set with Babar Meets Soulland, a new menswear collection from renowned young Danish designer and Soulland CEO, Silas Alder.
Developed and distributed exclusively through Paris’ famed retailer Colette, the irresistible new line is now available for a limited time at select retailers around the world, including Opening Ceremony (New York and Los Angeles) and online at openingceremony.us.
Featuring the vintage illustrations created by Babar author and illustrator Jean de Brunoff, the standout Babar Meets Soulland men’s collection is comprised of long and short sleeve button-down shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts and shorts.
“I have been a fan of Babar and his universe since I was four years old, so it was a great honor being able to work on this collaboration,” said Adler. “I was particularly inspired by a story from the first book, where Babar goes to the tailor to get his first suit – a bright green suit.”
Earlier this month, the line debuted with a high-fashion soiree at Colette in Paris, with the chic store’s windows, famous water bar and other in-store promotional activities all honoring the stylish pachyderm. On the tail of its Parisian debut, Babar Meets Soulland is now available at high-end international retailers, including London’s Goodhood, Brussels’ Hunting & Collecting, Berlin’s Soto et Voo and more, in addition to Opening Ceremony’s two New York locations and Los Angeles store. To herald the arrival of the new Babar Meets Soulland menswear collection, a Wild Poster campaign from Soulland and Opening Ceremony, featuring eye-catching images touting the line’s arrival, is now underway throughout downtown Manhattan.
The new fashion collaboration is the latest activity around the brand’s 80th anniversary. Babar celebrated the 2012-2013 holiday season with feature placement in the windows and children’s department of Saks Fifth Avenue, a Closing Bell ringing event at the New York Stock Exchange, the debut of an all-new range of vintage-inspired merchandise at specialty stores across North America and a festive take over of Books of Wonder, the largest independent children’s book store in New York City. Additional Babar partnerships are expected to be announced soon. Babar originated in the 1930s as a bedtime story told to Laurent de Brunhoff and his brother by their mother, Cecile, and first came to life through the art of Laurent’s father, Jean, a painter, who produced seven books about the character. When Jean passed away at the young age of 37, Laurent, who studied at the same art academy, built on his father’s work, creating many lively adventures for the elephant family. A remarkable success story with humble beginnings, today Babar continues to reign as the king of children’s literature. The lovable elephant has appeared in more than 100 books in 17 languages as well as multiple TV series and specials and even a feature-length film. Over 42 Babar titles have been published to date with more than 10.1 million copies sold in the U.S. alone. The Babar brand is managed by Nelvana Enterprises, in collaboration with The Clifford Ross Company.
Source: Nelvana Enterprises
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
