Dr. Paw Paw has launched a Paddington-themed lip care collection.
The lip care brand has partnered with French film company Studiocanal to create the range, inspired by the children’s literary character and beloved British icon.
Created using Dr. Paw Paw’s Original Balm formula, the new products come in Hot Chocolate, Orange Marmalade and Strawberry Jam flavours and scents.
The lip balms are available via Dr. Paw Paw’s website, with prices starting from £3.99.
A Paddington-themed lip balm key chain and travel collections are also available to purchase.
Sissel Henno, Global Head of Sales and Retail at Studio Kids & Family, said: “We are always looking for joyful, innovative ways to connect new generations with the timeless charm of Paddington.
“It is a perfect reflection of our strategy to reimagine this classic character for contemporary audiences, through bold, feel-good partnerships that inspire kindness, curiosity and fun.”
As a British brand, Dr. Paw Paw founder Johhny Paterson told Cosmetics Business there was a “natural synergy” between the business and Paddington.
Paterson said: “Both are rooted in British heritage and share the same heartfelt values, kindness, compassion, and always lending a helping hand.
“At Dr. Paw Paw, we believe that authentic collaborations are built on shared values, and this one felt like the perfect fit.”
Alongside the scents inspired by Paddington’s favourite foods, including marmalade sandwiches, Dr. Paw Paw’s team created themed packaging using the character’s classic assets.
Paterson said: “We wanted to bring the gingham into our products as we wanted to really highlight the sensory experience of wearing one of our new Paddington lip balms, all inspired by Paddington's very own favourite sweet treats.”
Studiocanal also worked on a bespoke Paddington illustration which shows a papaya fruit, Dr. Paw Paw’s hero ingredient, under his hat.
The collaboration was not without its challenges, as Paterson said the most important aspect of these launches is “to get it right”.
He continued: “After our first few launches in the licensing space, we have been approached several times for more collaboration opportunities, which has been very flattering.
“In order to get this right, we think the property needs to really align with our brand values so as to not alienate our already existing customers and make sure we stay true to our roots.”
Paterson noted the amount of work that can go into bringing two companies together in this fashion – with a patient approach being key.
He added: “My advice is to ensure that the licensed property fits the brand’s ethos, to have a partnership in play for at least two years.
“So far we’ve had great partnerships with M&S, Universal Products and Experiences, and now Studiocanal Kids and Family.
Dr. Paw Paw has been doubling down on product collaborations in recent years, including launches inspired by the official Wicked film and M&S’s Percy Pig sweets.
But the strategy is helping the brand to stay ahead in a fiercely competitive beauty industry, Patterson explained.
He added: “We are in a challenging category with conglomerates or brands that have huge heritage anywhere from 50 to 70 years on us, so as a disruptor of lip care we need to find ways to make noise in our category.
“Our core range has certainly done this for us over the years, but the licenses allow us to reach new audiences.
“Percy Pig was great because it brought us to a new audience in M&S, Wicked has brought us a whole new Gen Z audience on TikTok, and Paddington is giving us a cross-generational audience alongside being a very prestigious brand that, as mentioned, shares a lot of our values like kindness and fun.”
