Jellycat history from humble London beginnings to worldwide takeover
From Jellycat’s humble beginnings in London to its cute takeover of the world - here’s a brief history of the beloved toy brand.
The Jellycat story starts in London where brothers Tom and Will Gatacre founded the now well loved plushie brand in 1999.
Its now iconic name was initially thought up by one of their sons. As brainstorming for the name began Tom’s then seven-year-old son combined jelly and a cat for a suggestion.
The adorable name actually ended up sticking as the founders agreed it reflected the playful nature of the soft toy brand.
Jellycat went on to officially launch at a small stall at a trade show in London and it wasn't long before it began attracting a loyal customer base.
Some of its early adopter stockists in the UK were both John Lewis and Selfridges. Two and a half decades on the brand is now stocked at some of the most well known stores across 77 countries.
In recent years themed experiences centred around Jellycat’s offerings have also started opening around the world.
The first opened in New York in 2023 and was themed as a classic American diner serving a menu of Jellycat Amuseables plushies including cuddly toy versions of hot dogs, burgers and tacos.
One in Paris followed in July 2024 as pastry and desert inspired Jellycats were available for fans to buy in a Patisserie themed experience in the French capital.
Honouring the city in which the brand was first founded London also got its own experience last July as a chippy themed pop-up opened at Selfridges.
Shanghai is the latest city to host a Jellycat experience as a themed cafe opened in September last year.
In November, Jellycat unveiled an exclusive London collaboration with the city’s luxury department store Harrods.
At the time, the Cheryl Cherry Cake plushie was launched and was only available to shop in store.
The Harrods range expanded this month making an afternoon tea style range as Vicky Teapot and Seb Teacup hit the shelves in store.
With 2024 having marked the brands’ 25 year anniversary, it's clear the brand is not going away anytime soon.
We sure can’t get enough of the brand's sweet designs and hope there will be plenty more London themed things to come - a London underground collab would be so iconic!
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