Christian Cowan’s latest collab is with Teletubbies

Christian Cowan’s latest collab is perhaps a surprising one — the New York-based British designer is linking up with British kids TV show Tetetubbies that has become a hit worldwide. The Tetetubbies brand is owned by media business Wildbrain. 

The four characters have been the muses for a five-piece apparel collection that “celebrates [Cowan’s] love of the Teletubbies”.

It specifically targets “young adult consumers who grew up watching the Teletubbies and are now falling in love all over again with Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po, who have become pop culture icons, celebrated through viral social media moments, celebrity appearances, designer collabs and more”.

He’s come up with a limited edition collection that features the characters in signature fashion poses printed on “every day elevated essentials”, including hoodies, T-shirts and denim. It’s available on the designer’s webstore with prices  starting at $195. 

Cowan has also created a pair of knee-high stiletto boots in tribute to his favorite Teletubby, Dipsy, in neon green plush fabric.

The designer is known for his exuberant and whimsical designs and as well as being influenced by Teletubbies for the capsule, he’s also been inspired by “playful fashion campaigns that graced billboards and magazine pages in the early 90s when the brand first launched”.

He said that he “grew up watching the Teletubbies, so being able to combine that nostalgia with my passion for fashion is a dream come true. The characters’ fun, playful personalities match my own design aesthetic, so I’m excited to launch this new collection to show the Teletubbies in a new light and celebrate them as the stars that they are”.

Jim Fielding, Chief Marketing and Brands Officer at WildBrain, said: “Christian’s vision as a designer is unparalleled, and his playful, creative sensibilities are an ideal match for the Teletubbies.”

The company has been working on building engagement and momentum for the Teletubbies over the past year as they celebrated their  25th anniversary globally. Activities have included them appearing as special VIP guests on Britain’s Got Talent, to being commemorated in lights by the Empire State Building, to performing on the main stage at Pride in London. They kicked off 2023 by sponsoring the Kids Zone at RuPaul’s DragCon UK, with a Teletubbies pop-up shop and main stage performances.