DaddyBears is the alt-teddy bear brand exploring our need for physical connection
This is A HOT MINUTE WITH, a quick-fire interview series championing all the rising talent catapulting into fashion, art and music’s fickle stratosphere. From pinch-me moments to bad dates and even worse chat-up lines, think of it as an overindulgent conversation – like the ones you have in sticky club toilets at 4.A.M. Except these guests don’t regret the overshare…
Courtesy of @_daddybears_
NAME Daddy
LOCATION London, England
OCCUPATION Bear Maker
STAR SIGN Aries
BIGGEST PET PEEVE Instagram’s sneaky algorithm.
DADDYBEARS is the 2-year-old, London-based, handmade alt-teddy bear brand - run by a person who goes by the name of Daddy. Stocked at both Sydney multi-brand store DISTAL PHALANX, as well as London fashion and art concept shop 50M, it's not often you come across a "bear maker" - nonetheless one whose niche is making bespoke, high-art plushies.
Also referred to as soft sculptural homeware, Daddy's creations are made with the intention of being comforting objects that capture the essence of childhood nostalgia, and exploring the need for physical connection. In their own words, "DaddyBears was born out of a great need for physical depth within the cold constraints of mankind's current dystopia." For example, their 2020 collection, Pappi Bunnies, were pieces born out of reflecting on a year of isolation, while the previous year’s Cry On Me were designed to "soak up your tears and sadness forever."
Daddy filled me in on how they went from making bears as props at university to starting their brand, the importance of not waiting for opportunities to come to you, and also gave their best OnlyFans tips.
Audry Hiaoui: What was your background pre-DaddyBears?
Daddy: I studied menswear design and worked different customer service jobs.
AH: How did the brand start?
Daddy: I started this brand after trying to figure out what I really wanted to spend my time doing. Making things really makes me happy and combining hand stitching helps it become relaxing and meditative.
AH: What made you start making bears as props while in uni? What prompted that?
Daddy: I was making an installation for my final collection and I think something made me want to add a more comforting dimension to the work. Like a restricted need for interaction.
AH: What does physical depth look like to you?
Daddy: To me, it looks like softness, textures and warmth <3
AH: What’s the process like behind creating the different bears?
Daddy: It can be a long process, but the happier and more excited I am about the design, of course the more enjoyable it is to produce. I start with sketching and fabrics, then start trying to get my head around how the pattern would work, pattern cut it, machine stitch the main components, hand stuff then hand stitch the pieces together then, and then add any embroidery and beading.
AH: Favourite bear you’ve made to date?
Daddy: Probably the Squid Baby Bear I made in 2019 - he made me think more about making the bears more unique and developing shapes.
AH: Do you imagine your creations as part of a fantasy world with their own mystical narrative, or how do you view each piece?
Daddy: I think of them in that way if I'm designing a collection and trying to inspire myself to figure out what would fit into a vision. At the minute, I’m in a more design-based mindset, which opens up the narrative to be placed onto each bear by their future owner!
AH: What are some of your other favourite bedroom decor brands?
Daddy: @outer.leaves, @moenoza, @elizaplunkett.
AH: Best OnlyFans tips?
Daddy: Set aside a certain amount of time to make new content for the week ahead, but also try to do bits whenever you feel sxc.
AH: Favourite undergarments or lingerie?
Daddy: I mainly just wear literally the comfiest underwear I can find, usually bootleg Skims.
AH: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned the past year?
Daddy: That you have to put yourself out there if you want any kind of success in what you’re doing, you can’t wait for opportunities to come to you.