Cloudco Entertainment, owner of the iconic Care Bears™ property, and Benetton, one of the world’s leading apparel brands, have announced their collaboration for an exclusive children’s fashion collection for the young.

Brought together by leading Italian agency Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing, the Care Bears-Benetton collaboration will feature both t-shirts and sweatshirts specially designed for kids (1-6 years) and juniors (7-14). It will be available in Benetton stores starting from spring-summer 2026.

Care Bears, with its iconic, colourful characters and positive message, is a brand loved by all generations. Celebrated for promoting values of friendship, joy and care, Care Bears is one of the most recognised and successful franchises globally.

Its unique ability to engage families worldwide makes it an ideal partner for Benetton, a brand renowned for creativity, inclusivity and innovative design. This collaboration fits perfectly with the Care Bears’ 2026 theme ‘Colours of Caring’, celebrating the way in which the Care Bears use colour to help us express different ways of caring.

With this collection, Benetton once again confirms its role as a global fashion leader, combining its timeless style with the vibrant, joyful universe of Care Bears™. The collection will feature an exclusive range of apparel designed for young audiences, characterised by unique designs and the bright colours typical of Care Bears. Each piece will reflect Benetton’s commitment to quality and comfort, offering children and families a playful yet stylish fashion experience.

“Benetton is a longstanding fashion brand rooted in colour and self-expression, much like Care Bears’ nearly 45-year legacy,” said Charlotte Payne, VP of International Licensing at Cloudco Entertainment. “This collaboration brings those shared values together in a bright, playful collection that feels timeless and fresh for all generations to enjoy.”

“We are thrilled about this new collaboration and confident that the collection will be a great success, meeting the expectations of parents and children who love Care Bears and appreciate Benetton’s style and quality,” said Maurizio Distefano, President of Maurizio Distefano the evolution of Licensing. “This partnership marks an important milestone for the brand in Italy and globally, bringing together two pop culture icons in a fashion offering that will delight and entertain.”

About Cloudco Entertainment:
Cloudco Entertainment, a portfolio company of IVEST Consumer Partners, is a family and children’s entertainment, consumer products, and brand management company, and the owner of iconic lifestyle brands such as Care Bears™, Holly Hobbie™, Madballs™, Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese™, Twisted Whiskers™, Buddy Thunderstruck™, and Overlord & The Underwoods™. Cloudco creates, develops, and produces multi-platform entertainment franchises across all media channels, along with a wide range of consumer products and experiences that engage multi-generational fans, immersing both kids and adults in the brands they love.

About Care Bears™:
Introduced in 1982 through consumer products, greeting cards, and later a series of animated television shows and feature films, Care Bears is one of the most popular and endearing children’s properties in the world. Fans of all ages are drawn to the lovable, huggable bears from Care-A-Lot who inspire all to have fun, share, and care. The Care Bears first appeared in their own television specials in 1983 and 1984, followed by a long-running animated TV series and the leap to the big screen in 1985-87 with The Care Bears Movie trilogy. Care Bears & Cousins, a Netflix original CGI- animated series, launched in fall 2015. In 2019, a brand-new look and mission for the Care Bears was introduced in Care Bears: Unlock the Magic, a 48 episode, 2D animated series currently airing in the US on Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and Max via its Cartoonito preschool block. With over 40 years of heartwarming adventures, Care Bears were named as “The #3 Top New Licensee Signed” by License Global Magazine in 2023.

UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON

United Colors of Benetton is a leader in knitwear and casual, Italian-style clothing. Founded on a unique mix of color, knitwear and an inclusive spirit, it has always been aimed at the whole family – understood in a broad sense – with a special focus on the new generations.

About Maurizio Distefano The evolution of Licensing
Maurizio Distefano, an internationally accredited professional with over 25 years of experience in the sector, is President of the licensing agency and management consultancy that takes his name. The innovative and exclusive proposal of the agency is based on a holistic approach which allows it to analyse and respond to the particular business development needs of each individual licensee.

Maurizio Distefano, together with his business partner Michela Marchese Patti, selects animated series, movies and brands for successful licensing projects.

The properties launched and distributed by MDL are:
Entertainment: Masha and The Bear, Bing, Bluey, Idefix and the Indomitables, CoComelon, Blippi, Little Angel.
Brands: Care Bears, Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, Yummiland, Rainbow High, Asterix, Polaretti, Skibidi Toilet.
Music: Fender, The Rolling Stones, Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Slayer, Backstreet Boys, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, AC/DC, David Bowie, KISS, Pink Floyd, The Police, Woodstock, John Lennon, Lennon & Mc Cartney Lyrics, Genesis, Janis Joplin, Miles Davis and many more.