Pottery firm sculpts fairytale deal with Disney

A STOKE-ON-TRENT pottery company is celebrating an exclusive global deal with Disney which will see its china showcased in Harrods.

English Ladies Co, which is based in the heart of the Potteries, have secured the rights to produce Disney’s iconic princesses from fine bone china.

Belle, Aurora and Cinderella will be the first trio of princesses produced and are to be revealed in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique of Harrods, London on Saturday.

Marketing director Malini Pashley said: “We began speaking to Disney about this concept two years ago and they were immediately excited about the idea.

“The Disney princesses are iconic and everyone has grown up with them. Our research tells us that there’s a big demand from women who collected Disney products as a child and are now looking to buy a premium item which will last forever.”

Frozen stars, Elsa and Anna are next in line for master figurine painter, Dan Smith, who will be demonstrating his art live in Harrods’ store.

Mr Smith, formerly a painter for Royal Doulton, has been plying his highly-skilled trade for more than 40 years.

He said: “The company is really happy to be associated with Disney. We’re all ex-Royal Doulton, so we’ve worked with big brands before, but none as big and global as Disney.

“The initial reaction has been phenomenal with interest from all over the world.”

The intricately designed princesses – which can take up to 12 months to produce – will be hitting the shelves of Disney’s theme parks this week. The princesses will be supported by a range of themed products including china cups and saucers.
 
Mr Smith said the company are concentrating on their three ranges at present, Disney, Thelma Madine and English Ladies and will be building on the customer base they have with expansion plans in the pipeline.