23 November 2024
Sackcloth & Ashes, the sustainable blanket company, has joined forces with Smiley® for a new collection called Bloom, designed by US born artist Morgan Harper Nichols. The blankets will be available in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and Italy, from 23rd November.
The collection features four blankets with a unique floral pattern centered with the Smiley Icon, that adds a touch of joy, amongst the artwork. The design and the products embody Smiley’s unique mission of spreading positivity and creating meaningful connections. The overall design was created by Georgia native, author and artist Morgan Harper Nichols, known for her muted tones and narrative artwork, whilst also promoting both the Smiley and Sackcloth & Ashes distinct style.
The four blankets are made from a blend of recycled fabrics, acrylic, polyester, wool, and other fibres, gathered from donated clothing, factory scraps and landfill, before being produced in a water, dye, and chemical free process. This sustainable process is only part of the unique mission-driven story behind Sackcloth & Ashes, as they donate one blanket to a homeless shelter for each blanket purchased. This is driven by founder Bob Dalton, who was inspired to help the homeless community after his mother experienced homelessness in 2013. To date, Sackcloth & Ashes has donated hundreds of thousands of blankets to shelters across the US.
Janet Martin, Chief Product Officer for Lifestyle and Consumer Products at The Smiley Company said, “We are lucky at Smiley that we can create products that make a difference in many different ways, from products that spread joy, products that make the world a better place, and products that help people. This collaboration with Sackcloth & Ashes and Morgan Harper Nichols is all three. We’re thrilled to see this go live and know that this beautiful product will be enjoyed by so many.”.
Bob Dalton, Founder and CEO of Sackcloth & Ashes said, “We are honored to collaborate with Morgan Harper Nichols and The Smiley Company on this beautiful blanket collection. This partnership brings together creativity, optimism, and the power of positive storytelling to inspire hope and connection in every piece and we could not be more excited about how it turned out.”.
As featured by LicenseGlobal.com. Read their full coverage of the Smiley x Sackcloth & Ashes: Bloom Blanket Collection
Spread Happiness Worldwide, Inspire Brands, Touch Hearts!
For over five decades, Smiley has been the beacon of joy and positivity across the globe. Since its inception in 1972, Smiley has evolved into an iconic brand of happiness, uplifting spirits wherever it goes.
Embraced by individuals and brands alike, Smiley’s universal appeal has led to countless innovative partnerships, crafting products, promotions, and campaigns that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Partnering with Smiley means joining a league of creatives, celebrating uniqueness and inspiration. Our collaborative approach births premium collections, exclusive capsules, and esteemed collaborations with leading global brands.
With dedicated teams of specialists, we infuse every project with expertise, ensuring your brand stands out authentically. By tailoring our message to your audience and delivering exclusive concepts, we help you stay fresh and relevant in today’s dynamic market.
About The Smiley® Company:
The Smiley Company is a global leader in licensing, renowned for its iconic Smiley brand that spreads positivity and happiness across various products and collaborations. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, The Smiley Company continues to inspire joy in the hearts of consumers worldwide through its diverse range of licensed offerings.
Smiley has been spreading joy and optimism to generations since French journalist Franklin Loufrani created the trademarked brand in 1972.
Originally a gesture to urge readers of the newspaper France-Soir to ‘Take the Time to Smile’, soon this ubiquitous symbol of happiness became the most recognised and important icon in graphic design.
In 1996 Nicolas Loufrani, son of Franklin, took over the helm, steering Smiley into the digital revolution. Creating a whole new way of communicating, he added a variety of facial expressions to the original Smiley – his emoticons are now sent around the world infinitely.
Continuing to influence modern culture, Smiley is one of the world’s top global licensing enterprises collaborating on high-profile activities spanning fashion, art, homeware, food and beverage. Major partnerships have included Loewe, Moschino, Raf Simons, Eastpak and LA-based Market, who produce the Market Smiley Baseball – a cultural icon.
Maintaining Smiley’s friendly mantra, Loufrani created Smiley Movement in 2017. The non-profit community works across multimedia platforms aiming to inspire positive change in society addressing urgent societal and environmental problems.
Key Data:
Retail Partners:
Licensees:
Over 531 across key categories; Fashion & Accessories. Home & Gifting. Hi Tech. Health & Beauty. Stationery & Publishing. Toys and Games. Food & FMCG. Jewellery & Watches.
About Sackcloth & Ashes
Sackcloth & Ashes is a mission-driven company dedicated to helping homeless communities by combining thoughtful design with purposeful giving. Founded in 2014 by Bob Dalton, Sackcloth & Ashes was inspired by Bob’s mother’s journey through homelessness. Moved to make a difference, he launched the company to donate a blanket to a local homeless shelter for every blanket purchased.
Crafted with sustainability at the forefront, Sackcloth & Ashes blankets are made from recycled materials in a water-free, dye-free, and chemical-free process. Designed for comfort and durability, they are produced in Italy and finished in the USA.
Rooted in the belief that community-driven solutions have the power to create change, Sackcloth & Ashes supports local initiatives by giving back directly to shelters in the purchaser’s community.
For each blanket you purchase, we donate a second blanket to your local homeless shelter.
Learn more at www.sackclothandashes.com.