My Gifts Trade is at the centre of a new collaboration between Marie Curie and the British brand i like birds. A new licensed collection features a daffodil and blue tit design created by i like birds founder, Stuart Cox, exclusively for Marie Curie. 10% of the proceeds from every piece sold will be donated to the charity, helping it continue to provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones.
The design will be launched at Spring Fair (February 2-6 2020, on My Gifts Trade stand in Hall 8) and will feature on a range of housewares and gifts including mug, placemats, coasters, apron and tea towels.
Marie Curie is a charity very close to Stuart’s heart, as he explains: “Years ago I was made homeless after leading a bit of a reckless life and falling out of touch with my family in Brighton for years. When I started to find my feet again I got back in touch by sending my mum some illustrations, to somehow let her know that everything was alright.”
He continues: “Two weeks later she was diagnosed with a super rare cancer of the spine and we were told she did not have long left to live. She managed a year, the last part of which was in a hospice, where they managed to turn what should have been the worst days of my life into a beautiful celebration of her life. The hospice let her go out in a gentle and graceful way, with views of the birds from her window, so it’s a cause close to my heart and not a charity collaboration that’s been plucked out of thin air.”
Stuart’s story continues: “Within a year I also lost one of my brothers and my dad and the illustrations were stuffed into a drawer because I was unable to look at them. Years later they were found there by a friend who suggested I get some printed as cards so they could sell them in their local café. I went along with his idea and they went through over 1000 in the first month! Paperchase soon got wind of this and approached me.”
Stuart’s illustrations of much-loved British birds and flowers now appear on a wide array of licensed products, including the highly successful gift and homeware collection developed in partnership with My Gifts Trade.
Joanna Mazzotta, product development and creative at Marie Curie said: “I was very attracted to Stuart’s designs. They are simple yet beautiful and the bold fun graphic added a design style we’d not explored before. I thought they’d marry well with incorporating the daffodil – our emblem – and tell a story about how important and joyful nature at the Marie Curie hospices are for the patients.”
Top: Marie Curie i love birds tea towel from My Gifts Trade.
