Pudsey bear gets a fashion makeover

BBC’s Children in Need has launched the Designer Pudsey Collection, which has seen a number of fashion designers including Giles Deacon and Jonathan Saunders, creating their very own unique version of the iconic Pudsey Bear. The

designer collection will be exhibited in Liberty London from today, November 7 until November 19, when the bears will then be auctioned to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

The traditional yellow Pudsey has been given a runway-inspired makeover by British-based designers Erdem, Henry Holland, Katie Hilier, Emma Hill for Mulberry, PPQ, and Patrick Grant. Instead of yellow fur and the traditional polka-dotted eye patch, each bear has been clad in an array of different fabrics from suede to leather; in a rainbow of different colours; from silver to blue, and in a variety of different patterns; from tartan to floral.

Deacon took his inspiration from his silver swan, spring/summer 2012 collection, and turned his Pudsey into a silver leather vision, adding a hand-stitched Swarovski Elements crystal eye patch and plaited fringing. Patrick Grant and Henry Holland have all gone for varying shades of tartan; Jonathan Saunders works his famous geometric print; while Erdem's 2012 spring collection has been a huge influence on his creation.

Katie Hillier explained her design, “I absolutely love children, almost all of the influences for my own label Hillier come from either children's books, childhood memories of mine or from a playful childlike point of view. When I started to think about the design of Pudsey, I wanted to make sure that children would understand it and would be drawn to it.”

Louis Vuitton and Pringle of Scotland have also created a designer Pudsey for the collection, but in true couture style they are going to be fashionably late and are joining the collection at Liberty’s early next week. The Pringle bear by Alistair Carr is made from pure cashmere, with 1 carat diamonds to finish off Pudsey’s cardigan.

As well as the designer bears, Liberty London has also commissioned its own Pudsey bear wearing its various floral prints, the store will also be featuring donation points for the charity at its tills.

"We are absolutely delighted to have such prestigious designers turn Pudsey couture. And to have Liberty exhibit this one-off collection, allows everyone to view a piece of fashion history. A truly inspirational fundraising initiative,” said Sarah Monteith, Director of Marketing and Fundraising, BBC Children in Need.

“Liberty is thrilled to take part in the designer Pudsey initiative and to support BBC Children in Need. It’s great to see talent and creativity joined for such a worthy cause,” added Ed Burstell, Managing Director, Liberty London.

BBC Children in Need supports vulnerable children in the UK through grants to more than 2,000 voluntary projects. In 2010, the televised charity special raised more than £18m for the organisation.

Images: Angelo Pennetta/ BBC Children in Need