Plush toys with embroidered smiles and human names: how a London brand reinvented the comforter.
Founded in London in 1999, Jellycat took the classic plush toy and went the other way: incredibly soft materials, plump silhouettes and an assumed whimsy that makes adults smile as much as children. The name is even said to come from a child's delight at mixing "jelly" and "cat".
The cult ranges
The Bashful bunnies and friends, with their long floppy ears, have become the brand's emblematic comforters: an ideal first plush, available in dozens of colours and several sizes, up to dressier editions like this bunny with Liberty ears.
Liberty Floral Bunny Plush Toy - Thistlepop Rabbit 31cm
On the other side, the Amuseables give an embroidered smile and little corduroy legs to everything that normally has none: a croissant, a house plant, a cup of coffee. They are what made Jellycat a phenomenon among teenagers and adults.
Plush Croissant Toy - Small
Why some pieces become impossible to find
Jellycat renews its collections several times a year and regularly retires models. A retired plush does not come back: enthusiasts then trade it with fervour, and some pieces can gain value. Our advice remains the same as for any collection: first buy the one that makes you smile.
Collette Lemon Tart Plush Toy
Choosing your Jellycat
Three simple markers: the size (small formats travel everywhere, large ones live on a bed), the use (everyday comforter or shelf piece) and, for a baby, the label: most models are suitable from birth, a few with accessories are not.
The Jellycat corner of the shop
In Paris, our Jellycat corner gathers the classics and the latest arrivals; online, the collection follows the same rhythm. And for a birth gift, our dedicated guide helps you choose between bunny and croissant.
About the author: This article was written by the team of L'Oiseau de Paradis, a Parisian toy shop founded in 1932. Four generations in the service of childhood and authentic play.
