Taunina teddy bears stealing the hearts of Manhattan's A-list

Bundle NYC is the go-to shop for beautiful fashion-forward baby couture, stocking only the most sought-after designer brands. Counting glamorous celebrities Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Marion Cotillard, Martha Stewart, Pink and Ricky Martin among its clientele, the South African company was delighted when Bundle's founder and owner, Allison O'Neill, fell in love with its teddy collection.

Just one week after receiving its first shipment in-store, Bundle placed a second order as stock flew off the shelves.

From humble beginnings in Woodstock, the shared dream of social entrepreneurs Tracey Chiappini-Young and Karen Jansen is being realised. Taunina employs underprivileged women skilled in its signature artistry to handcraft its heirloom-quality, soft toy collections. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, embellished with exquisite embroidery and appliqué detail, created by a single artist over a four to seven days The collectable teddy bears and bunny rabbits sell for between R1 800 and R3 600 each.

Besides paying the artists above market-related salaries, the company is structured so that 30% of before tax profits flow to the artists: 20% through the Bear Essentials Fund to pay for housing, healthcare and education and 10% in the form of productivity-related bonuses.

Each creation carries the initials of the artist and is a manifestation of the artist's inspiration and dreams for the future, providing her with financial security and the ability to transform both her own life and that of her family.

"The unique beauty of each collection piece lies in how it transforms the life of the women who made it, and establishes a lifetime connection between the artist and the purchaser," says Chiappini-Young.