Have you ever wondered how we come up with the ideas for our baby soft toys? As with all our products, every Mamas & Papas soft toy has a back-story. The inspiration behind each of our much-loved cuddly characters – including favourites such as Geoffrey Giraffe – comes from all sorts of interesting places, and from concept to creation to ending up in your baby’s little hands, there’s a tale behind each of our soft toys for babies. We chatted to the Mamas & Papas design team, to find out how your little one’s favourite soft toy companions came about.
Inspiration
Each toy begins with a story. From our gorgeous Welcome to the World Geoffrey Giraffe to our new range Grateful Garden, we love to spin a tale that enchants both parent and baby.
At the beginning of each season we look far and wide for our inspiration. It could be the latest exhibition at the V&A or a simple woodland walk. We visit places around the country looking for beautiful colour palettes, textures that engage and stories to excite.
We create mood boards from these ideas, full of swatches, trims and sketches of our thoughts. Our brief can vary- it can be a newborn baby toy, that’s soft to comfort, or an activity toy, to stimulate and engage.
Our team is full of many different people who work together to bring these concepts to life. Geoffrey Giraffe may look like a simple jungle animal but to us it’s a team of people all working to bring you the most beautiful and safe gift for a new baby.
Our designers create the sketches to bring their initial ideas to life and sometimes we even handmake the initial soft toy! Our product developers are amazing and work hard with our factories to bring these designs to fruition, staying as true to the initial idea as possible but also bringing their own ideas to add extra elements, so for example they’ll select fabrics and trims that enhance these baby soft toys. Our factories are all part of this family too. We have built relationships with them over the years, which means they understand the high standards of Mamas and Papas but also they have the knowledge that can often add a little bit of sparkle to the end product.
Tested & Tried
Our tech team ensures that your baby’s first soft toy is as safe as can be. Our fabrics are tested for harmful chemicals and are BPA free; we pull-test every ear and tail to make sure it’s secure… nothing should be able to come loose, even with the roughest of handling from baby! Once all these are in place our soft toys designed specially for baby can be prepared for their new homes. We hope to deliver beautiful, considered soft toys created to the highest standards.
“We all know what these first toys mean to a child and they can form memories for life.” – M&P Designers
Main Characters
Geoffrey Giraffe
Probably our most recognisable baby soft toy character, Geoffrey is part of our bestselling Welcome To The World collection, so he co-ordinates beautifully with the rest of the nursery interiors and newborn clothing range. Handsome and charming he makes a homely addition to any modern nursery.
Archie Elephant
With his deluxe faux fur elephant Archie is one of our best-sellers. Plus, as he’s part of Welcome To The World, you can pick out some adorable elephant-print nursery accessories and matching grey nursery interiors to co-ordinate your baby’s nursery with their favourite soft toy.
Larry Lamb
Like the rest of the Welcome To The World collection, adorable lamb Larry is a newborn suitable soft animal toy and is sure to be loved by your little one for years. This cream-coloured cutie blends beautifully into any nursery.
Ziggy Zebra
Another member of our Welcome To The World collection, this loveable zebra soft toy features a soft neutral grey and white print and the same ultra-soft snuggly faux fur as his other animal friends. Pair it with our zebra-print blanket for some stylish nursery co-ordination.
Monty Monkey
Treat your little monkey to their own little monkey soft toy. Adorable, playful and snuggly soft, Monty even comes in a miniature beanie toy version, for double the cuddles.
Bella Rag Doll
Part of our Always Love You range - adorable characters looking for their first friend – Bella is a sweet alternative to an animal soft toy and makes a lovely first companion for your little one.
