Tag Archives: Dress Up

Costume specialist Rubies readies its Hello Summer campaign to celebrate getting together

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The licensed costumes specialist, Rubies is preparing to launch a new Hello Summer campaign this July, a marketing initiative devised to celebrate the summer months through new online content and competitions for kids and dress-up fans of all ages.

The company is encouraging customers to make up for lost time with friends and family this summer, welcoming back holidays as the UK’s holiday makers enjoy a summer of staycationing, or engage little ones with Rubies’ new online summer camp, Camp Kindness, all of which will fall under the hashtag #everyexcusetoparty.

New releases from Rubies will feature officially licensed costumes from a wide range of new media, catering to all age ranges, from the deadly assassins of Marvel’s Black Widow cinematic release, to the Space Jam: A New Legacy kit.

Mike O’Connell, COO, Rubies, said: “We can’t wait to launch our new Hello Summer campaign this July, as it’s understandably a very exciting time in people’s lives as the world opens up again and people start to celebrate with those closest to them.

“Rubies is synonymous with unforgettable party experiences and as an industry leader, we act as a positive role model to our audience who wear our costumes. Kindness, Friendship and Togetherness are imperative to our company values and ethos and we want to encourage these amongst our audience, with the introduction of our virtual summer camp.”

Rubiesworld.com will be the home of Camp Kindness, the virtual summer camp. This brand-new website will focus on celebrating everyday acts of kindness with a competition where you can submit acts of kindness or good deeds that you have witnessed and vote for your favourite.

The winner will be announced on the 22nd August and will receive the Ultimate Party Bundle from Rubies, allowing them to throw a character themed party for all their friends.

Disguise Inc partners with Funko to launch new Disguise Pop! masks range

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The dress up and costume specialist, Disguise Inc has detailed a global agreement with Funko to design, market, manufacture and distribute Pop! masks across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, South America, and Asia.

Initial designs for 2021 will feature iconic characters from major licensing partners like Warner Bros and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The over-sized masks will take on the iconic aesthetic of Funko’s hit Pop! brand, each designed to be wearable and displayable, with limited runs of each style to drive collectability. Next year will see Disguise expand the line with additional licensors and more than 30 styles.

“Disguise is thrilled to be partnering with Funko on a truly break-frame product like our wearable Pop! Masks. The iconic Funko’s Pop! style translates to a really fun wearable product for cosplay and dress up occasions,” said Tara Hefter, president and GM of Disguise Inc.

“We know Funko fans and Halloween lovers will jump at the opportunity to wear, collect and display our new Pop! Masks.”

Jason Bischoff, director of global licensing at Funko, added: “We’ve spent years building up our business around fan-first collectability, community, and affordability. Pop! Masks are born from that same tradition, and just like our other products, Pop! Masks can be celebrated year round.

“It’s another massive opportunity for fans to wear or display their fandom and connect with their fellow pop culture enthusiasts.”

Disguise is a recognised world leader in design and development of inventive and cutting edge costumes and accessories with distribution across the world. Funko provides an array of exciting new and classic characters to create an amazing line of products.

Disguise’s Pop! Masks are now available for pre-order on Amazon in North America and Europe and will be available later this year on Funko.com. They will also be available in Australia, New Zealand and LATAM this fall.

Stateside | Hit pre-school series Bluey makes play for costumes market with Disguise, Inc partnership

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Bluey, the hit children’s animated TV series from Ludo Studio and BBC Studios, is making a new play for the American costume and fancy dress market, thanks to a new partnership with JAKKS Pacific’s Halloween costume division, Disguise, Inc.

Under the partner, Disguise is set to design, market, manufacture, and distribute costumes and costume accessories for the popular animated property, starting this year. The new line will debut as a first-to-market launch at Walmart across the US.

Bluey is an Australian animation series that follows a six year-old Blue Heeler dog, who loves to play and turns everyday family life into extraordinary adventures. Aimed at pre-school children and their parents, the series champions the importance of unstructured play for enhancing children’s creativity and helping to develop their mental, physical and emotional resilience.

The series celebrates the joyful simplicity found in family life, role play, and imagination. A sensation with US audiences since its fall 2019 premiere, Bluey reached 16 million total views across Disney Channel and Disney Junior in Q4 2019.

“Bluey explores the important themes of family life, parenting and imaginative play. It has a huge fan base of preschoolers and parents that will be thrilled with our new line of Bluey costumes,” said Tara Hefter, EVP and GM of Disguise, Inc.

“Our new partnership with BBC Studios has created some exciting new additions to our 2021 line. We expect to see a positive reaction from fans and at retail this fall.”

Suzy Raia, VP consumer products and business development, BBC Studios, added: “Bluey is our fastest growing show in the US and we’re looking forward to this meaningful partnership with Disguise that will bring the Bluey characters to life with their high quality costumes and accessories.

“Bluey fans will now have the chance to dress up this Halloween and be a part of this sweet Blue Heeler family.”

Nintendo, Sonic, and Disney Princess help Jakks Pacific to “an excellent” Q1 2021

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An “excellent beginning” to 2021 has seen net sales at the international toy maker, Jakks Pacific increase 26 per cent for the first quarter of the year, to $83.8 million compared to the $66.6 million of the same period last year.

The results, the company has been quick to point out, mark the highest year over year first quarter sales growth since Q1 2015, with “significant improvement in sales, gross margin, adjusted net income, and adjusted EBITDA.”

The results, stated Jakks Pacific’s chairman and CEO, Stephen Berman, are reflective of the efforts that the company has made to “broaden its product line, reduce its operating costs, and cut interest expense.”

“During the quarter, we drove double-digit sales increases in all of our toy divisions: Boys, Girls and Seasonal. We saw strong sales of products tied to video games, including Nintendo, Sonic the Hedgehog and Apex: Legends, a near doubling of sales in Disney Princess, solid initial sales of Raya and the Last Dragon, and continued strength in Black & Decker,” said Berman.

“We also registered strong sales of our own brands such as Perfectly Cute and Redo Skateboards. These sales gains easily offset the expected sales decreases we saw in Frozen, Frozen 2, and Fly Wheels.

“We are especially pleased by our continued success in reducing our operating costs, as reflected by our strong increase in gross margin and lower SG&A costs. Looking toward the balance of the year, we expect to continue to benefit from lean retail inventories and lower operating costs.

“Our retail POS trends remain positive, and we have a well-balanced line of new and continuing products planned for the holiday season. As we have for our 27-year history, we will focus on proven play patterns and our partnerships with world-class license partners and highly recognizable brands.

“As 2021 unfolds, we expect to see a return to more normal patterns of shopping, gift-giving and celebrating Halloween. We believe we are set up very well for a year of increased sales, improved EBITDA and a strengthened financial position, which we expect to generate strong momentum and can position us well for 2022 and beyond.”

Net sales for the first quarter 2021 were $83.8 million, up 26 per cent versus $66.6 million last year. The increase was driven primarily by higher sales of products across the firm’s Toys/Consumer Products segment which were up 28 per cent globally.

Net sales of Disguise costumes were essentially flat compared to last year.

Jakks Pacific recently detailed an extension of its partnership with SEGA of America to expand on its already popular toy line based on the hit video game franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog. The firm also recently picked up the North America toy and dress-up rights to the upcoming PAW Patrol: The Movie, across both Jakks Pacific and its costume division, Disguise.

Jazwares moves into North American costumes sector with major Marvel partnership

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Jazwares has entered into a multi-year partnership with Marvel to produce a new line of costumes and costume accessories, marking the company’s expansion into the costumes sector.

The range is scheduled to hit retailers across North America in 2022 and will include an assortment of officially licensed costumes, costume accessories, and pet costumes from across the Marvel Universe films, TV series, and comic books.

Jazwares will be adding additional licenses to its new costumes segment in the coming months.

With Jazwares’ Marvel costume line, fans of all ages can transform into their favorite Super Heroes including characters from classic Marvel properties, Marvel’s TV and film roster, Deadpool, Spider-Man, X-Men and more.

“Marvel has been a defining force in the entertainment and comic landscape for decades, and we are ready to take play to a whole new level by helping fans transform into their favorite signature Super Hero looks that are perfect for Halloween, Cosplay, or everyday fun,” said Judd Zebersky, CEO, Jazwares.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our business, and ready to bring Jazwares’ iconic innovation, value and quality to the costume category.”

The Marvel costumes collection joins Jazwares’ impressive portfolio of iconic pop culture brands including Pokémon, Fortnite, Halo, All Elite Wrestling, Roblox, and collectibles brands Domez and Zōteki.

Jazwares moves into North American costumes sector with major Marvel partnership

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Jazwares has entered into a multi-year partnership with Marvel to produce a new line of costumes and costume accessories, marking the company’s expansion into the costumes sector.

The range is scheduled to hit retailers across North America in 2022 and will include an assortment of officially licensed costumes, costume accessories, and pet costumes from across the Marvel Universe films, TV series, and comic books.

Jazwares will be adding additional licenses to its new costumes segment in the coming months.

With Jazwares’ Marvel costume line, fans of all ages can transform into their favorite Super Heroes including characters from classic Marvel properties, Marvel’s TV and film roster, Deadpool, Spider-Man, X-Men and more.

“Marvel has been a defining force in the entertainment and comic landscape for decades, and we are ready to take play to a whole new level by helping fans transform into their favorite signature Super Hero looks that are perfect for Halloween, Cosplay, or everyday fun,” said Judd Zebersky, CEO, Jazwares.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our business, and ready to bring Jazwares’ iconic innovation, value and quality to the costume category.”

The Marvel costumes collection joins Jazwares’ impressive portfolio of iconic pop culture brands including Pokémon, Fortnite, Halo, All Elite Wrestling, Roblox, and collectibles brands Domez and Zōteki.

Dress-up specialist Rubies Masquerade UK picks up popular pre-school series Oddbods

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The popular animated pre-school series Oddbods is getting into the dress up game thanks to a new partnership the leading dress-up manufacturer, Rubies Masquerade UK.

Under the deal with the award-winning content creation and licensing studio, One Animation, Rubies has secured the dress-up rights for the Oddbods characters across the UK, EMEA, and South East Asia.

The range is set to launch in AW21 and will feature a line of children’s costumes aligned with the latest Oddbods content, bringing key elements of the show, including a Fuse and Pogo costume to retailers and pre-school audiences.

Rob Spindley, SVP commercial development USA and EMEA at One Animation, said: “Rubies is internationally renowned for its high-quality costumes and we know their talented team can capture the quirks and individuality of the Oddbods’ characters, and bring them to life through a colourful dress-up collection.

“Whether dressing up to play with friends, for a fun occasion or simply to watch their favourite episodes at home, we look forward to giving fans a chance to become one of the Oddbods gang.”

Tracey Devine-Tyley, head of licensing and portfolio at Rubies, added: “We are excited to be bringing these fun and quirky characters to life.”

Oddbods is a three-time Emmy Award-nominated, non-dialogue comedy featuring seven unique pals. Together, despite their differences, they survive the perils of everyday life, unintentionally turning ordinary situations into unexpected, extraordinary and always humorous events.

Rubies lands official partnership with World Book Day to promote the benefits of reading

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Rubies has secured an official partnership with the World Book Day charity and its annual event developed to change lives through a love of books and shared reading.

The new collaboration is founded on Rubies’ own global experience of delivering best-in-class costumes and accessories as a trusted manufacturer of licensed dress-up products. The partnership will work to strengthen World Book Day’s ongoing mission to promote reading for pleasure and offer every child the chance to have a book of their own.

World Book Day is a key date in the diary for the costume industry and the exclusive partnership signifies a huge step forward to ensure that World Book Day’s charitable purpose is represented within the industry, along with their cores aims and messages. 

 Tracey Devine-Tyley, head of licensing and portfolio EMEA, Rubies, said: “Rubies’ has always been instrumental in bringing world book day to life for children and teachers. Allowing children to relate to characters through dressing up and reading equips them for all obstacles and adversities they may face and we could not be more thrilled to be working with World Book Day on their mission to ensure we are actively encouraging every child and young person to read and also have the opportunity to own a book.

“This year has been a particularly challenging time for children and parents and this partnership will be instrumental in allowing children to start a new chapter.”

Cassie Chadderton, chief executive of World Book Day, added: “It’s wonderful that children and families engage with reading creatively, including bringing their favourite book characters to life through dressing up.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with Rubies to bring more of the joy and fun of World Book Day to children, whether they are at home or at school, this year.”

Whether you’re celebrating at home or at school, head to www.worldbookday.com for loads of ways to take part, including events, resource packs, videos, activities and lots of book-filled fun.

Reading for pleasure has been highlighted as ‘the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success’ by researches behind the World Book Day initiative, placing it above factors such as family circumstances, parents’ educational background, or income.

“We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them,” said the charity.

Lisle Licensing named UK and Ireland licensing agent for Planeta Junior’s pre-school IP Milo

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Lisle Licensing has signed a new deal with Planeta Junior to promote and represent the pre-school property, Milo across the UK and Ireland. The deal will see Lisle’s initial focus land on toys, publishing, apparel, and dress up ranges.

A co-production between Planeta Junior and the indie family producer, Fourth Wall Animation, Milo will launch to UK screens this spring via Channel 5’s Milkshake.

Through this new partnership Milo now joins Lisle Licensing’s exclusive portfolio, which includes major kids brands like Gormiti, 44 Cats, Masha and the Bear, and Superzings.

Milo is described as a warm, funny pre-school series made up of 52 11 minute episodes about an adventurous five-year old cat who, together with his best friends Lofty and Lark, uses role-play to explore the world of vocations, introducing little ones to a variety of professions.

Milo’s world celebrates vocations such as Delivery Workers, Explorers; Nurses as well as Astronauts – every vocation is shown in a positive light so kids feel they can grow up to be anything they want to be. 

Smiffys lands Masha and the Bear costumes and tableware through Lisle Licensing deal

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The party and fancy dress specialist, Smiffys has been named the costume and tableware partner for the popular children’s animated IP, Masha and the Bear. The partnership arrives via a deal brokered by Lisle Licensing, the UK licensing agency for Masha and the Bear.

The popular animated series has become a firm favourite with children across the world, and now, thanks to Smiffys latest signing, will be able to delight in a range of officially licensed costumes, scheduled to launch at the start of 2021.

This will be followed by the roll-out of a range of Masha and the Bear tableware. Both will be made available across the UK and Europe.

Smiffys has long been recognised as a leading supplier of fancy-dress costumes, wigs, accessories and make up. The company, originally founded as R H Smith & Sons (Wigmakers) but now more commonly known as Smiffys, is a family-run company and has been in business since 1894.

The firm is proud to design all of its costumes and accessories “in-house” in the UK.