Steiff: Classic toys still make the best friends

By CBB Fashion/Gear Contributor Bronwyn

With a slogan that started as "Only the best is good enough for children,” it’s not surprising to see Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt carrying around stuffed animals made by Steiff. Suri’s dad, Tom Cruise, gifted Shiloh Jolie-Pitt with a Steiff bear, Horace the Longfellow Bear ($460), at her birth.

Shiloh’s Steiff is most likely the Mohair Westie Treff  ($200). Treff is an 11” dog in a standing pose that was released in 2006 as part of the Classic Collection.

Suri’s Steiff plush of choice is the Tapsy Mohair Cat ($75). Tapsy is a 7” cat that comes in a sitting position and was released in 2004 as part of a Family Collection.

With humble beginnings tracing back to 1892, Steiff has been delighting children with their cuddly products for 125 years. Known in Germany as the premiere brand of stuffed animals, they have a similar following here in the States. Any Steiff fan knows that it all begins with a button in the ear and a tag attached that reads “Knopf im ohr,” which simply means “button in ear.” They are most known for the yellow tags, though there are special edition tags that come in other colors. Their classic bears are made of mohair plush, a soft angora goat hair woven into a support fabric made of cotton that makes the toys incredibly cuddly. Their price tag comes with extreme quality assurance testing. They are created with the utmost care, ensuring that the animal’s fur won’t stain or bleed it’s colors, that it’s flame-resistant and that the seams and eyes won’t break.

Comments

Heck!
Forget actual toys, yesterday Shiloh was carrying around scotch tape! Give em the box. Kids always love the box!

- Preesi on October 2nd, 2007

A $500 stuffed animal?????? Unless it comes with diamond eyeballs, it ain’t worth it!

- Stef on October 2nd, 2007

I’m sure that they are really amazing stuffed animals…but, geez…besides celebrities who can afford a $750 teddy bear?

- Carol on October 2nd, 2007

Geeze, $200 for an 11″ stuffed dog? I agree, even if I could afford this, it’s ridiculous. The $15.00 teddy bear we bought for our daughter at Toys R Us will do just fine.

- Jessica L. on October 2nd, 2007

While I wouldn’t spend that much on a toy that will get dirty 10 minutes after receiving it, I would spend that much on a Steiff bear to add to a collection. They are the best made!

- finnaryn on October 2nd, 2007

I don’t know about the US, but at least in Germany Steiff also sells some much cheaper toys. They have different lines, targeted at different customers. The Classic Collection is really more targeted at adult collectors than at children, but, I guess, if you can afford it.. They’re really really nice though.

- Anna on October 2nd, 2007

If people were to actually click on the link, they would see that Steiff USA has plenty of reasonably-priced (18-25.00) teddies. The COLLECTORS EDITIONS are the ones that cost more than that, because they’re collectors editions.

- Breanne on October 2nd, 2007

I’m glad to learn about Steiff and their USA site. I don’t mind splurging on a good quality stuffed toy or a nice blanket. Clothes they outgrow but these last forever. My hubby still has a stuffed cow that belonged to his grandfather and now it is my sons. My daughter would love the less expensive version of Suri’s cat, she can give it to her daughter one day perhaps.

- MsCarla on October 3rd, 2007

Thanks for the post Steiff is such an amazing brand, especially because of its history and the amazing quality.

- Uta on October 3rd, 2007

Suri’s plushie looks more like Kitty the cat. It’s in Steiff’s newer collection and Kitty looks exactly the same as the cat Suri is holding. http://www.steiffusa.com/steiffstore/productdetail.aspx?productid=074943

- Adri on October 6th, 2007