Services
Licensed Merchandise Production
Bhavna Rishi London has produced licensed merchandise for the V&A Museum continuously for eight years — across exhibitions including Frida Kahlo, Mary Quant, Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, Fashioning Masculinity, DIVA, Alice in Wonderland, and Revolution. Additional institutional clients include the British Museum, Royal Collection Trust, National Museums Scotland, Iconic Images, Chatsworth House, Fenwick, Orvis, and Limewood Hotel. Full end-to-end production — from brief to delivered product.
8
Years producing for the V&A
7+
Major exhibitions supplied
10+
Institutional clients
Who this is for
Licensed merchandise production is a specialist discipline — it sits at the intersection of intellectual property, production management, and institutional retail. These are the clients it is designed for.
Museums and Galleries
Retail merchandise for museum shops and exhibition tie-ins. Products developed under exhibition licensing standards, delivered on time, and trusted by retail buying teams to perform on the shop floor.
Licensing Agencies and Archives
Physical product from licensed image catalogues — estates, photographers, iconic imagery. The production process treats the archive with the same rigour the licensing agreement requires.
Heritage and Cultural Institutions
Seasonal and event-driven merchandise for visitor centres, gift shops, and branded retail. Products that reflect the quality and standing of the institution that carries them.
The process
From confirmed brief to delivered product — managed at every stage, with formal approval checkpoints that protect the licensing relationship and the quality of the finished piece.
Brief and brief review
Understanding the exhibition, estate, or collection. Rights clearance confirmed. Product scope agreed — what to produce, at what quantities, for which retail context.
Image and artwork selection
Which images translate to which products, and at what scale. Not every piece of archive imagery works at scarf format — the selection stage protects the artwork and the production budget.
Design development
Applying licensing standards throughout. Colour profiling against original references. Adapting artwork for product format without compromising what makes the image worth licensing.
Sampling
Colour approval against original or approved reference. Scale review. Quality check on fabric, finish, and edge work before committing to the production run.
Production management
Factory liaison throughout. Quality control at production stage. Delivery scheduling against the exhibition opening date or retail calendar — non-negotiable milestones, managed from the start.
Delivery
To warehouse, museum shop, or retail partner — confirmed, tracked, and documented. Replenishment planning where required.
Selected clients
Two examples of what licensed merchandise production looks like in practice.
V&A Museum
Eight years continuous production for the V&A
From Frida Kahlo to Alice in Wonderland — every exhibition required a bespoke merchandise range developed under exhibition licensing standards, delivered on time, and trusted by the V&A retail team season after season.
View case studyIconic Images
Licensed merchandise for Iconic Images
Iconic Images represents Terry O'Neill, Norman Parkinson, and the estates of David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Faye Dunaway, and Alan Aldridge. Producing licensed merchandise from their archive required precision colour work, licensing compliance, and products worthy of the names they carry.
View case studyCommon questions
What types of licensed merchandise do you produce?
Primarily silk and modal scarves, though the process extends to printed accessories and wearable textile products. The format is chosen based on what best translates the artwork — not every image suits every product.
Do you handle the licensing agreements?
No. Rights clearance and licensing agreements are handled by the client or their legal team. Once licensing is in place, Bhavna Rishi London manages the production side: design development, sampling, manufacturing, and delivery.
What is the minimum order quantity?
This depends on the product and fabric. For institutional clients, minimum runs are typically 50–100 pieces per design. Smaller runs can be accommodated in certain circumstances — the first conversation establishes what is viable.
How long does production take from brief to delivery?
A typical timeline from confirmed brief to delivered product is 12–16 weeks. Exhibition merchandise with fixed opening dates is planned around those dates from the start — the deadline is not a variable.
Can you work to our brand or exhibition guidelines?
Yes. Working within brand and licensing guidelines is standard — particularly for museum retail, where colour accuracy and reproduction standards are non-negotiable. Every approval stage is documented.
Is there a minimum level of relationship or commitment required?
No. Some clients work project by project; others become long-term partners. The V&A relationship developed over eight years from an initial project. There is no required minimum commitment.
Discuss your project
Whether you have an upcoming exhibition, an archive to monetise, or a licensing partnership to develop — the first conversation is free.
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