Taunina Telegraph

Taunina For New & Lingwood

British heritage meets African craftmanship

One of life’s genuine privileges and pleasures is having something tailor-made to your specifications. New & Lingwood, the quintessential English bespoke shirt maker, has collaborated with African sustainable luxury atelier Taunina, to create a bespoke collection of one-of-a-kind, hand-embroidered signature teddy bears. The collection is exclusively available at New & Lingwood’s flagship Jermyn Street store in London.

Sought after by discerning clients around the world, New & Lingwood’s menswear is inspired by classic heritage, masterful craftsmanship and distinctive quality. The Taunina collaboration celebrates the appreciation of bespoke, handmade and the finest quality fabrics. Individually created using New & Lingwood’s exquisite silks in vintage paisley, vibrant camo and signature skull and crossbone prints, each teddy bear is hand-embroidered by a single Taunina artist over a period of five to seven days. Each design is unique, a rich tapestry inspired by the beauty of the fabric.

“Taunina shares our appreciation of celebrating tailor-made, one-of-a-kind and often quirky keepsakes of exceptional quality,” says Anthony Spitz, Chairman of New & Lingwood. “We’re delighted that our silks and signature designs are being used to adorn these bears. Exquisitely made and utterly charming, they are a perfect complement to our offerings. Taunina collection pieces are treasured talismans, which effect positive change in disadvantaged societies, and this is something close to our hearts and greatly valued by our customers.”

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Taunina employs women from disadvantaged communities to handcraft its one-of-a-kind collections. The Taunina artists are provided with full-time employment, a share in company profits and, most importantly, a strong sense of dignity and pride. The rare beauty of each teddy bear lies in the opportunity it affords a woman in need to use traditional artistry to support her family. Each Taunina creation arrives in a handmade hatbox with a unique passport bearing the teddy’s name and details of the artist who made it. Each is an heirloom to be passed from one generation to the next. It is a gift that transforms lives.

“We share and passionately support Taunina’s determination to uplift impoverished communities, and elevate the status of traditional African artistries from craft to art,” says Spitz.

Taunina Co-founder and CEO, Tracey Chiappini-Young says, “We are honoured to create this collection for New & Lingwood – arguably London’s best, most intriguing and original gentleman’s outfitters, and a luxury house that has cherished and cultivated the tradition of creating quality bespoke handmade items for generations to enjoy.”

Available exclusively at New & Lingwood, 53 Jermyn Street, London for £325 and £450.