Trudi

Sparked by a childhood love of animals and a vivid imagination that brought each character to life, Trudi Müller Patriarca spent her teenage years in Tarcento, northern Italy, sewing toys for herself and her friends. The first – in 1953 – was a pair of alpine rabbits complete with tiny baskets, sparking a lifelong passion for toymaking. From classic teddy bears to a troupe of circus animals and exotic jungle dwellers, Trudi toys took off when 1960s innovation introduced super-soft plush as an alternative to traditional mohair, and squidgy cotton wool in place of old-fashioned straw fillings. Over sixty years later, the Trudi menagerie continues to grow, providing children of all ages with instant friends to treasure for years to come.