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 fluffier versions like this Oat bunny.
Oat Fluffy Bunny
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.
Amuseables Mona Chocolate Macaron Plush
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.
