Honestly, We Wish for Better Competition

The Montessori philosophy encourages children to discover and harness their own innate abilities. When PUPUPULA was founded, our primary goal was to create thoughtful and intuitive design to foster that sense of independence at home.

Yet, during the early development of our signature No. 1 Bed range, we hesitated. We constantly questioned whether a low, floor-level bed frame would truly align with the practical habits of modern households.

Because of this uncertainty, we did not release a legless floor bed right away. Instead, we engineered the original version with detachable legs. At that time, dedicated Montessori floor beds were practically nonexistent in the mainstream market. Once the product launched, however, we received an overwhelming number of inquiries from parents asking specifically about using the bed without its legs.

It was this direct feedback from our community that gave us the confidence to launch the No. 1 Floor Bed as its own standalone design. Moving forward alongside the real needs of parents is an incredibly rewarding process.

Then, the imitations began...

Over time, replicas and 'tributes' of the No. 1 Bed range began appearing across the market. Today, even large, globally renowned brands have begun replicating our designs. This widespread lack of originality is deeply disappointing, and the hurried copying of our outer forms inevitably leaves behind flawed and awkward details.

The Story Behind the Copied Vent

When you look closely at the imitations of our floor bed, you will notice almost all of them feature a very specific geometric cutout near the base. The brands copying this shape do not actually understand why it exists.

Originally, during the early sketching phase, that cutout was designed as a functional slot to secure our felt storage drawers. As the design evolved, we realized that a bed sitting directly on the floor requires an intentional pathway for airflow to prevent moisture buildup. The structural slot happened to serve as the perfect natural vent.

This dual-purpose detail became a signature mark of the No. 1 Montessori Bed, a small testament to the careful problem-solving that defined its creation. Today, copycat brands reproduce this exact ventilation shape on their frames, completely unaware of the story, logic, or utility behind it. They copy the visual mark without understanding the human need.

When Respected Icons Copy Independent Design

As an original design brand dedicated to children's lifestyle products, we have worked tirelessly to create unique, purposeful items. We are still a small team striving to gain broader recognition, which is why it came as a profound shock when two globally renowned international brands that we have long respected copied our work too.

The Little Ben Wall Clock, released on 28th May 2018, was one of our very first products. It was designed to launch our brand identity, making it vital to our journey. On 17th June 2020, we followed this milestone with the release of the Little Ben Alarm Clock.

On 16th August 2024, Braun and Beams released a collaboration containing two products, the Time Teacher BC26 (a wall clock) and the Time Teacher BC22 (an alarm clock). They are unmistakable replicas of our original designs.

The irony of this situation rests in the history of design recognition. In 2019, our Little Ben Wall Clock received two of the most prestigious international honours both within and outside our industry: Japan's Good Design Award and Germany's iF Design Award. In an uncomfortable twist, Beams was founded in Japan, and Braun was founded in Germany. No amount of effort in calling out these giants for stealing from an independent brand has resolved the issue. This reality is deeply disheartening, as it directly undermines the principles of creativity and innovation that we hold dear.

What Will They Copy Next?

It has become a common occurrence to find direct copies of PUPUPULA designs online. From the architectural lines of our beds to the specific proportions of our iconic Little Ben Clocks, the imitations span across our entire portfolio. Even our exact colour palettes, textile storage bags, and modular drawers are routinely replicated. Over time, we have developed a quiet, albeit bitter, sense of calm regarding the situation. 

But if a brand simply clones an exterior silhouette, what is the actual value to the consumer? 

Throughout design history, creators have always observed and learned from one another to push boundaries and build superior objects. The true purpose of any brand is to provide families with better, safer, and more meaningful choices. True progress happens when we elevate the standard of the industry together.

Form Without Understanding Can Be Dangerous

Seeing identical shapes on the market is frustrating, but seeing design details applied without structural understanding is genuinely concerning.

Braun and Beams copied our internal layout and colour logic exactly, replicating the clear numbers and the Montessori-inspired, colour-matched system we built to help young minds grasp hours and minutes intuitively. Yet, by stripping away the structural utility that made the clock a successful learning tool, they proved they were copying a visual trend rather than designing for children.

Most family clocks are hung at adult height, forcing a child to constantly tilt their head uncomfortably to read the face. We engineered a smart, 10-degree downward tilt into the Little Ben Wall Clock to bridge this eye-level gap, ensuring little learners get a clear, unobstructed view from any height. The Braun and Beams replica completely omitted this crucial ergonomic tilt, not attempting to resolve the viewing hurdle or improve the daily reality for a child.

This pattern of copying forms without function repeats across the industry. We frequently spot replica storage units with sharp, unrounded corners, or bedside accessories utilizing heavy, unbuffered metal panels. We choose not to share images of those specific furniture pieces here, as we have no desire to direct traffic toward them.

Every brand should possess its own unique design DNA. To the copycats who look at PUPUPULA and recognize the value of our work, we invite you to look deeper. If you take the time to understand the foundational needs of a child instead of just copying a drawing, you will naturally build better products.

Waiting for Better Competition

Saying that we wish we had someone to learn from is a bittersweet irony, but it reflects our genuine hope for the market. We protect and cherish our original designs, but we care just as deeply about raising the collective standard of children's environments.

True inspiration occurs when brands challenge and energize one another through authentic creativity. Replicating the work of others is not how a brand establishes its right to exist.

We are waiting for the day when these manufacturers discover their own creative voice and create something original and excellent enough to set a new benchmark. To the makers who continuously look to PUPUPULA for inspiration, we know you read our updates. We look forward to the day we can stand as peers, engaging in a real conversation about how to design better tools for families.