Today VisitLondon.com, the NSPCC and STUDIOCANAL announced the first of the internationally renowned celebrities, designers and artists signed up to THE PADDINGTON TRAIL.
Credit/Copyright: Joe Pepler
The list includes stars of the Paddington film Hugh Bonneville, Peter Capaldi, Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters and Ben Whishaw, Hollywood actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Sheen and Emma Watson, stars of the music world Nick Mason and Frankie Bridge, globally renowned photographer Rankin, leading fashion designers Christopher Kane, Lulu Guinness and Matthew Williamson, multi-talented artists Tom Phillips and Hannah Warren and world-famous ex-footballer, David Beckham.
Actor Hugh Bonneville, who stars in the forthcoming Paddington film, which opens around the world this Christmas, is amongst the designers and comments: “Paddington is an explorer – this trail is a wonderful way of bringing this to life and I hope it makes people look at London with fresh eyes. I am delighted to have been asked to design one of the bears and have created an ode to Paddington’s favourite preserve. I can’t wait for people to see it.”
The star-studded Paddington design team also includes former Royal Ballet principal dancer Darcey Bussell, explorer and survival expert Bear Grylls, the Chelsea football team, the England rugby union team and Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
The first of the designs were also revealed today: ‘Paddington Bear’ by Michael Bond, ‘Paddington Shakesbear’ by Michael Sheen, ‘Paddington Sparkles’ by Frankie Bridge and ‘Paddingtonscape’ by artist, Hannah Warren.
These adventurous designers are working on some of the 50 Paddington Bear statues, which will be placed across the capital ahead of the global release of PADDINGTON. The trail will take in museums, parks, shops and landmarks, all with a colourful, Paddington-inspired flavour. London is Paddington’s favourite city: full of adventure and opportunities to explore the art, culture, innovation and entertainment that are so prominent in the capital.
Visitors will be able to follow in the furry footsteps of the world’s favourite Peruvian explorer, visiting locations across the capital. Key cultural and landmark hotspots featured in the Trail are The Royal Opera House, Horse Guards Parade, the Museum of Childhood and, of course, Paddington Station with the trail ending in Selfridges, from 4 November – 30 December 2014.
Selfridges is the Trail’s retail partner and will be selling a selection of statue miniatures from a dedicated Paddington concept store to raise funds for the NSPCC.
London based design company 3DEye is helping to create the three foot six inch tall statues, all of which will be auctioned to raise money for charity partners including the NSPCC; a charity whose work is all about protecting vulnerable children and making them safe through its services including ChildLine.
To find out more about The Paddington Trail, click here.
Source: PR Newswire
