Founded | 2010 |
---|---|
Founders | Signy Kolbeinsdottir Helga Arnadottir |
Headquarters | , Iceland |
Website |
www |
Tulipop is an Icelandic lifestyle brand founded in 2010. [1] The company's original product line was a series of plush figures that resembled elements of nature, such as mushrooms and trees. [2] The company went on to develop these characters, called Tulipoppers, in a variety of media, including a children's cartoon series that was released on YouTube in 2017. [3] [4] In 2017, Tulipop partnered with Hot Topic to release its first merchandise in the United States. [5]
Signý Kolbeinsdóttir, Tulipop's creator, has spoken in interviews about the inspiration for the Tulipop characters as being inspired by real people, especially her friends and family members. [2]
Signý uses the characters to portray people who are flawed and complex. The dark fantasy world of Tulipop also stems from its Icelandic heritage. Like Iceland, Tulipop is a volcanic island and the stories can be dark, in line with Icelandic folklore. [7]
The Tulipop world is also influenced by characters and children's toys such as Barbapapa, Monchhichi, Hello Kitty, and Little Twin Stars.
In 2015, Tulipop signed a deal with Toynami, an American toy company. Toynami developed a range of Tulipop items, both plush toys and vinyl figurines, featuring the four main characters, Bubble, Gloomy, Fred and Miss Maddy. [2]
Tulipop has since signed cross-category US licensing agreements with Loungefly (accessories), Mighty Fine (apparel), Pyramid (stationary), Mad Dog (socks), and Jay Franco (bedding). In November 2017, Tulipop partnered with Hot Topic in the US to sell Tulipop products in its 600 stores across the US. To celebrate the partnership, Signý Kolbeinsdóttir worked with Venice Art Walls to create a colorful Tulipop mural on the Venice Art Walls located in Venice, California. [8]
Since its founding, Tulipop has also signed with UK resellers, including the House of Fraser department store in 2016. [2]
As of February 2018, Tulipop products are available in 350 stores in 14 countries. In Iceland, home of Tulipop, 25 stores sell the Tulipop product range. [2]
In 2018, Tulipop entered the apparel business when it partnered with 66°North, an Icelandic outdoor brand, for a children's limited-edition clothing range. [9] The range was announced at the annual Icelandic design festival, DesignMarch, and featured Tulipop-themed sweaters, T-shirts, hoodies, and caps. [10]
In 2013, Tulipop won the "Encouragement Award", awarded by FKA, The Association of Women Business Leaders in Iceland. The company also received "Start-up of the Year 2015" from Viðskiptablaðið. In addition, Tulipop was shortlisted for the Best Interiors Collection Junior Design Award 2014. [11] It was awarded "Best Newcomer" at the Smallish Design Awards 2015 [12] and was nominated for a LIMA award in 2018. [13]
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