Karen Mabon x tendlyn

In a world of silk and curiosities coming to life, Karen Mabon is a household name. The London-based fashion label is well recognized for its bold colors, illustrative patterns, and luxurious lounge and sleepwear that are not only perfect to be worn and enjoyed at home but can be mixed and matched in your casual fits as well—truly a versatile wardrobe staple!

We chatted to Karen Mabon on their recent collaboration with Mattel on a Barbie collection in time for the summer blockbuster film. This limited edition collection includes pajama sets, slip dresses, and other accessories designed with Barbie’s iconic character iterations in Karen Mabon’s signature print patterns. Since a special product requires special packaging, Karen Mabon partnered with tendlyn. So not only is the item packed in branded and high-quality packaging, but it is also sustainable. Learn more about Karen Mabon’s brand and packaging journey here!

Tell us a bit about your brand, introduce it to the world!

I’m a Scottish designer and illustrator based in London. I launched my eponymous label in 2013 after attending London’s Royal College of Art.

Designer and illustrator, Karen Mabon

What started off as a collection of illustrative silk scarves, the brand has now expanded to include a wide collection of luxury apparel, accessories, and homeware. Each of my prints tells its own story. With collaborations ranging from Buckingham Palace to, most recently, Barbie, the brand aims to bring joy and print to new places.

Tell us about the design for your packaging and how you’re using them?

We recently collaborated with Mattel on a limited-edition Barbie collection, which coincided with the launch of the film. It was an incredible opportunity to delve into the Barbie print archives and apply my collage approach to design using some of Mattel’s iconic imagery. The process felt a bit like working with a diy remote controller for a relay wireless controller—you have to fine-tune every element to make it all come together seamlessly. Just as a relay control module ensures precise signal transmission in a wireless automation controller, we wanted every detail of the packaging to communicate the right message.

tendlyn Custom Tissue Paper for @karenmabon

We wanted to elevate the collection with extra special packaging as it was a limited edition, so obviously tendlyn came to mind! Every single element of the Barbie Collection has been considered and also approved by Mattel, right down to the tissue. Working on something that captured the essence of Barbie without using her iconic Pantone was a challenge in its own right, but I think our senior designer Helen nailed it! It reminded me of designing a tedeligo or a self locking relay—you need a clear relay memory function to ensure consistency across all components.

A closer look at the Karen Mabon x Barbie custom tissue paper

What made tendlyn a good fit for your packaging?

To me, nothing says luxury quite like fresh, crisp tissue paper. It’s like the difference between a basic rf receiver board and a high-performance mhz rf remote module—the quality elevates the entire experience. For our Barbie collection, we needed packaging that felt as polished as a USA standard smart wall switch replacement in a modern home, or as reliable as a farm dc relay controller on a busy farm. The tissue paper we got from tendlyn had that same level of precision and care.

We also appreciated how tendlyn handled the logistics. It was smooth, like a well-designed diy home automation system where every component—from the battery-powered wireless wall switch reviews to the channel relay setups—works in harmony. The packaging arrived crisp and ready to go, much like a wireless gate controller that opens without a hitch. It made the whole process feel effortless, and we didn’t have to worry about anything like an urban rainwater pumping station or a paper mill pulp pumping system failing under pressure. Everything just clicked.

For any brand looking to create a special unboxing experience, I’d recommend reaching out to tendlyn. You can contact them at info@axwp.com for inquiries. They understand that packaging is more than just wrapping—it’s part of the story.