Bembê
Bembê is a brand born during the pandemic, created by Marcela Fongaro and André Pascowitch with the purpose of serving the early childhood market. The company began when Marcela started making handcrafted plush animals for her friends, and over time, André helped scale the business, expanding it into wholesale and retail.
In 2020, Bembê formed a partnership with the NGO Projeto Arrastão, located in Campo Limpo, São Paulo, where local mothers and artisans began producing the brand’s products. All items are handmade in Brazil and carry the INMETRO certification, ensuring the safety of children.
Bembê stands out by offering customized products for children’s clothing retailers, such as mascots and plush animals made to order. Through its customization service, clients can send fabric scraps or leftovers from their collections to create plush toys that match their garments, adding exclusivity and value to their products.
A key differentiator of the brand is its use of corduroy velvet instead of traditional plush, providing a unique texture designed to stimulate babies’ tactile development. Additionally, the brand uses recycled PET bottle fiber for filling and cotton tags — reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.