From Peru to the Catwalk: Paddington Bear's Style Wisdom
The nation's most beloved bear from Darkest Peru, Paddington, has officially declared his signature blue duffle coat to be 'in vogue' during a charming new interview. Taking a break from his sold-out West End musical debut, the loveable character, a staple of British culture after 29 books and three film appearances, sat down for a chat with British Vogue in the luxurious Royal Suite of London's Savoy Hotel.
More Than Just Fashion: An Immigrant Success Story
The glossy magazine did more than just deconstruct the bear's iconic outfit; it celebrated him as a poster boy for 'immigrants making good'. This praise highlights his journey from Darkest Peru to finding a new home and family in London, positioning him as a figure of inclusivity and cultural diversity, far removed from more toxic national narratives.
In a clip shared on Instagram, Paddington was asked for his take on the current season's trends. He replied with his trademark politeness, 'Being winter, everyone is wearing coats and hats.' He then added, 'I was told that British designers think duffle coats are very much in vogue, which I hear is a very good thing to be.'
Practical and Stylish: The Essence of British Dressing
When it came to defining British style, Paddington pointed to the practicalities of the UK's famous weather. He expressed his love for raincoats, umbrellas, and wellington boots, branding them as items that are both highly practical and undeniably stylish.
For fashion enthusiasts hoping to emulate his unique look, Paddington kindly revealed the origins of his accessories. 'Well, my hat is very special because it belonged to the explorer Montgomery Clyde,' he explained. 'He came to Peru a long time ago and was very kind to my Aunt Lucy and Uncle Pastuzo. So when I came to London, I was hoping to find him.' His famous blue coat also has a history, having first belonged to his adoptive father, Mr Brown, then to his adoptive brother, Jonathan, before being gifted to him.
Royal Seal of Approval
The bear's charm extends to the highest levels of society. Last week, The Princess of Wales revealed that her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, would be 'very jealous' that she and Prince William had a meet and greet with Paddington at the Royal Variety Performance.
At the event held at London's Royal Albert Hall, the future King was clearly taken with the bear, even commenting on Paddington's 'yummy' sandwich. 'Can I shake your hand? Your sandwich looks very nice,' William asked. 'The way you were singing was totally incredible.' Before the show, Kate told young flower girls that her children were 'very sad not to be joining us' and that the Paddington sighting would have to be kept a 'big secret'.
First published in 1958, Paddington's story has seen numerous adaptations, including a BBC TV series in 1976 and the hugely successful film trilogy released in 2014, 2017, and 2024. The new West End musical, featuring music from McFly's Tom Fletcher, continues the tale of the small bear finding a new home with the Brown family. Fletcher called it an 'honour' and an 'awesome responsibility' to bring the nation's favourite bear to the stage.
The full feature is available in the January issue of British Vogue, on newsstands from Tuesday 16 December.
