SPOTLIGHT ON CENTA IP

Florence Broadhurst is being brought back to life by Signature Design Archive.

Risk-taker par excellence, style maven extraordinaire, Florence Broadhurst’s most exhilarating legacy is a design archive making waves around the world today. Born in 1899 in Australia’s Queensland, the light went out on Florence Broadhurst designs in 1977 when she was tragically murdered in her studio. But this is where her legend begins.

Charismatically fearless from the word go, Florence Broadhurst (pictured) spent the roaring Twenties singing across the Far East’s colonial reaches and ran The Broadhurst Academy, a school of performing arts in Shanghai from 1926–27. In London in the 1930’s she became “Madame Pellier” a French couturier proud to dress the rich and famous. She moved back to Australia in 1959 as an aristocratic English lady; an entrepreneur, society figurehead and landscape painter. With every incarnation Florence became somebody new – new hair color, new accent, new history... even, on occasion, a new name. At the age of 60 she did it again, launching in Sydney her defining venture – an internationally-successful, luxury, hand-print wallpaper business. She announced she would “colour Australia” and in so doing she re-drew the world.

Years ahead of her time, Florence Broadhurst created hundreds of hand screen printed wallpapers and textiles.

Her archive grew to over 530 images ranging from tapestries to geometrics, florals, psychedelic and eccentric chinoiserie.

After her untimely death in 1977 and the decline in popularity of wallpaper in the 1980s, Florence Broadhurst prints had all but disappeared. Today, however, they are experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to the passion of Signature Design Archive, and she is stepping back on to the international stage with designs that speak to innovators in every field. Designs are licensed across a range of categories including wallpaper, homewares, limited edition art, soft furnishings, Manchester, toiletries, gifts, stationery, luggage, apparel and accessories, key collaborations include Kate Spade NY, Qantas and David Jones department stores.

Gail Mitchell, CEO of Signature Design Archive says “Behind each image is the woman herself, an endlessly restless spirit. Her eye was exquisite, her appeal fascinating, and her approach at times very naughty indeed. A revolutionary in design and business in her own lifetime and beyond, Florence is a role model for women whose inimitable work continues to inspire the world today. She is a life, an enigma, a legend and a legacy, but the story is not over yet.”

Based on characters derived from the Chinese hit series GG BOND, the 104 x 11-minute series of Kung Fu Pork Choppers introduces the team of interstellar super-swines of the Universal Hero League.

“This is a very PIG deal”, says Al Kahn, Founder and CEO of Crane Kahn. “We completely redid the series to build a show and a universal brand with global appeal aimed at boys 4-8. The mix of martial arts and out-of-the-world gimmicks and gadgets mirror a proven play pattern to create a world that kids will relish and have lucky licensees laughing all the way to the piggy bank”.

Kung Fu Pork Choppers is building an extensive licensing and merchandising programme with all rights being handled by Centa IP.

Gail Mitchell, CEO at Centa IP said “Everyone we show this to just gets it! This is the ultimate comedy adventure and we’re sure kids will love it!”

Jetpack Distribution, has acquired the rights for two seasons of the CGI animated comedy-action-adventure series (104 x 11-minute episodes) targeted at four to eight year olds. Jetpack began presenting the property at the recent Kidscreen and have already had interest in the series from TV partners worldwide.

The first three seasons of Kung Fu Pork Choppers, produced by Chinabased Winsing in collaboration with CraneKahn LLC, is currently airing on more than 100 channels in China, including CCTV and Kaku, where it’s the number one kids show with an audience of 700 million views across all online platforms. Winsing, the Chinese commissioning platform, has committed to at least 300 episodes, which will see multiple seasons of the hit series produced.

Centa IP are currently in negotiations for global licenses including master toy and publishing.

For more information on Florence Broadhurst or Kung Fu Pork Choppers, please contact Gail Mitchell at Centa IP, gail.mitchell@centaip.com