ToyCyte: Toy Culture Collected

I know what you’re thinking: must be a slow day if Jeremy’s writing about dop kits and diaper bags. News is news though. Kidrobot and Schifter + Partners have dropped their exclusive collaborative “lifestyle bags and accessories collection” announced earlier this year. The collection includes two groups: one in nylon and the other in canvas. There will be 12 styles in the nylon collection, which consists of duffles, totes and backpacks on which three Kidrobot charms–the Smorkin’ Labbit, Mini Munny and Yummy Breakfast–will be attached. Smaller bags include cosmetics cases, cell phone holders and iPod cases. The collection retails from $45 to $275 and feature the Kidrobot Grid and Toy Pile-up prints.

The cotton canvas collection consists of 8 styles and is available in black, brown and magenta. Each bag and small accessory is decorated with the Kidrobot print in reflective silver ink with a toy (e.g. Fatcaps) attached to the side. This collection retails from $25 to $125. You can see more photos, prices and dimensions–and sign up for an email when the merch arrives–in the Apparel section of the Kidrobot online shop by clicking here. Ice-bots, Peecols, Dunnys and Mongers oh my.  There’s a lot of art on these bags. I wonder if the artists get residuals?

This isn’t the first line of limited clothing or corporate partnership Kidrobot has indulged in. KR has previously had a line of T-shirts, dresses, hooded sweatshirts and polos that sold exclusively at Barneys New York and Colette in Paris. According to their press release, the Kidrobot X Schifter + Partners collection should generate $10 million in first-year sales. Not too shabby. And it should also give those tokidoki LeSportsac bags that always come up when I search for “Qee” on eBay some competition in the designer bags with toy charms market.

The new KR collection is slated to hit shelves starting July, but if you’re in NYC, Freshness reports that Kidrobot received an early shipment. You’ll also be able to find the collection in about 200 department and specialty stores nationwide including Bloomingdales, as well as Kidrobot stores and of course, online. [Pics via Freshness & Kidrobot. Details via WWD]