Industry expert Fiona Coleman shares some of her highlight collections from Pitti Bimbo SS25.

 

Anja Schwerbrock

Anja Schwerbrock is the owner and creative director of the Anja Schwerbrock women’s and kids’ brand (pictured above) based in Antwerp. With a well-established womenswear collection, Anja Schwerbrock showed her first baby and kids’ collection in 2012. Being creative as a fashion designer, she is on the constant search for wearable expressions filled with freedom and individuality, taking inspiration from ballet, circus and art. The exclusive use of natural, high-quality materials and an edgy city look contrasts with a magical dress-up style to give the collection a very personal and unique look. Futuristic Dreams is the title of the s/s 25 collection. There are unisex separates and special dresses for girls that coordinate and layer. We love this season’s colour palette of pistachio green, ice blue and pale pink paired with white and Schwerbrock’s signature monochrome city neutrals. The collections use recycled and sustainably fabrics manufactured at local companies using less water and green energy. Production takes place in small studios in Europe to support local companies, working directly with ateliers and paying fair wages. To slow down the industry, the brand has also introduced a permanent collection of timeless models – it would be good to see more of this in the industry.
Contact: sales@anjaschwerbrock.com / @anjaschwerbrock

 

 

Naturino by Falc

This year Falc celebrates its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1974 in Civitanova Alta, Italy, the Falc Group broke into the children’s footwear segment with the Naturino and Falcotto brands during the 80s. Over the decades, it expanded its portfolio with the Voile Blanche, W6YZ, Flower Mountain and Candice Cooper brands for adults. The company is planning more exclusive collaborations with like-minded, high-profile brands, such as the recent Barbour/Flower Mountain capsule. For s/s 25, the Naturino footwear range has an ever-wider selection of shapes, nuances and materials that put wellbeing and comfort as the top priority. The Cocoon First Steps line, an icon of the brand, is recommended by paediatricians for its technical characteristics for growing feet. In the new collection, Cocoon is presented with natural, soft materials in many new patterns that take inspiration from fruit and animals, with colours ranging from pastel tones to brights. The Barefoot line, which allows flexibility of movement and reproduces barefoot walking, completes the range of first steps. Accompanying the Flower Mountain for Naturino line this season is a range of unisex clothing for 2-16 years, featuring Japanese symbolic motifs such as koi carp and dandelions in casual fabrics and oversized fits.
Contact: info@naturino.com / @naturino_official

 

 

Needle & Thread

A British contemporary womenswear brand by Hannah Coffin, Needle & Thread added mini-me looks for girls in 2020. Though it specialises in tulle, embellishment and embroidery manufactured by specialists in India, its fabrications are constantly evolving. The brand employs a permanent team in the region to oversee and manage production. This regular presence in its small network of factories allows the brand to closely monitor the quality of the collection and how it is produced. Sustainability is a core value at Needle & Thread, with over 90% of the kidswear collection featuring recycled materials. As a result, it has been awarded The Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury in acknowledgement of its shift towards responsible sourcing. The new collection is an ode to romantic florals, soft pastels and dusky neutrals, with styles designed to match the women’s ready-to-wear collections. We love the bestselling cape dress available in colours as well as white – perfect for weddings and ceremonies. Dresses retail from £150-£450 and are available for ages 3-12 years.
Contact: wholesale@needleandthread.com / @needleandthreadlondon

 

 

Alex & Ant

Created on the shores of Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia, Alex & Ant is quintessentially Australian. Established in 2009 and a well-known brand in Australia, New Zealand and the west coast of the USA, this edition of Pitti Bimbo was the brand’s first trade show to launch itself into the European market. The aim is to create pieces that will become favourites; ‘lovingly grown out rather than outgrown’. Alex & Ant designs high-quality, wearable shapes, each manufactured individually and hand-finished using sustainable production processes for less environmental impact. The ranges cover baby girls from 0-2 and ‘little miss’ from 1-10. The s/s 25 collection, The Garden Of Dreams, features a mix of natural fabrics: soft crinkle cotton, broderie, micro gingham and tulle. Unique hand-illustrated prints range from refreshing lemons to vibrant summer blooms alongside embroidery. We love the delicately drawn, whimsical picnic print that features in styles across baby and girls.
Contact: caterina@alexandant.com.au / @alexandant

 

 

Pangolini Kids

This brand offers a line of premium quality children’s clothing for 2-8 years made of high-quality, 100% organic fabrics. Founded in Georgia in 2022 by two childhood friends who were part of the art industry, the name Pangolini Kids was chosen because the pangolin is a rare mammal, symbolising the uniqueness of the brand. With a blend of classic influences and contemporary styles, garments are produced in limited quantities with embroidery being an important part of the concept. The summer collection has fun icons, such as the favourite tennis dress, while the spring collection is dedicated to the animal world. Furthermore, each garment embroidered with an animal image is accompanied by an educational card with details about that animal. We love the oversized collar detailing and eclectic colour palette of these modern and unique dresses.
Contact: pangolinikids@gmail.com / @pangolinikids

 

 

Petite Amalie

Based in Australia, Petite Amalie is a reflection of the designer’s classic style using beautiful fabrics, embroideries and trims, to create timeless fashion pieces that can be cherished for years to come. The s/s 25 collection, Le Jardin, takes inspiration from the allure of forgotten gardens and the charm of blooming meadows. It features intricate floral prints on tulle and silk linen bases in a palette of soft and natural hues reminiscent of sunlight filtering through leaves. Butterfly and flower appliques feature on sleeves and belts, with vintage-inspired lace trims and doily applique details lending a nostalgic charm. Voile, light-as-air linen, tulle – in print or with delicate lace detail – are all key fabrics for the main collections. French lace and embroidered organza are used for the exclusive collection of gowns for the Gold Label collection. In addition to the extensive dress styles, there are also blouses and skirts for the girl who prefers to have the option of wearing an outfit in multiple ways.
Contact: sofia@vida-kids.co.uk / @petiteamalie

 

 

Moalie

Looking to expand into the UK, first-time exhibitor Moalie is a Dutch brand specialising in clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. Founded by a neonatal nurse with over 25 years of experience, the brand brings a unique blend of professional expertise and a deep understanding of babies’ needs to every piece of clothing. Its goal is to become a go-to brand for families seeking high-quality, comfortable and stylish products for their children, supporting both local production and sustainable materials. A standout feature of Moalie baby clothes is the commitment to quality. Made from the finest cotton, each piece is designed to be gentle on a baby’s delicate skin. This focus on high-quality materials also ensures the clothes are durable enough to withstand the adventures of active infants and toddlers. While Moalie baby clothes are crafted in Turkey to high standards, they remain affordable and priced to be accessible to a wide range of customers without compromising on quality. Moalie’s extensive collection includes a variety of clothing options suitable for different seasons and occasions: versatile pieces that can be layered for year-round use. Attention to detail is evident in thoughtful features like adjustable straps, easy-to-use snaps and elasticated waists. We love the brand’s blend of comfort and style, ensuring every item is practical as well as aesthetically pleasing.
Contact: sales@moalie.nl / @moalie.nl

 

 

Olga Valentine

Already stocked at Childrensalon, Australian swim and resort brand, Olga Valentine, is looking to expand into more luxury retailers in the UK. The label is designed by Natasha Nowak, a Sydney native and mother of three. After spending many years on the tropical Indonesian island of Bali, she developed a fun and vibrant range of swimwear, clothing and accessories that are durable, sustainable and designed with sun-safety in mind. Collections blend unique patterns and details with UPF-rated sustainable fabrics that kids will outgrow long before they wear out. All this while making a conscious effort to reduce environmental impact and keep children’s skin safe in the sun. The Italian-made swimwear fabric has been carefully selected for its environmentally conscious properties. Made from 84% recycled polyester and 16% elastane, it is soft and comfortable with a four-way stretch and is printed with earth-friendly dyes. It’s also chlorine-resistant, pilling-resistant, fully lined and durable, so each piece of swimwear can be confidently passed on through generations. The brand also designs pieces to transcend trends so that they can be worn again and again.
Contact: hello@olgavalentineswimwear.com / @olgavalentineswimwear

 

 

Poupette St Barth

Presenting luxury resortwear since 1995, Poupette St Barth is now a worldwide brand distributed in more than 220 retailers, including its own boutiques. Founder Poupette Giraud, a free spirit and self-taught designer, travelled around the world on her sailboat and fell in love with St Barth when she discovered it, hence the brand’s name. The style is boho chic, uniting an expression of freedom with an easy-wearing joyful elegance. This spirit continues in Poupette St Barth’s kids’ collection. Dressing up is made fun for little ones, with comfortable cuts and colourful designs. Breathable materials and eco-friendly cotton and viscose are prioritised, allowing children to move freely throughout the day. Featuring a palette of bright colours, eye-catching, hand-printed designs use traditional Balinese techniques. Key summer items for girls include the Amaya kaftan, Cindy top, Rachel shorts and Sasha dress – an iconic piece from the Poupette wardrobe with an embroidered neckline and ruffled sleeves.
Contact: catherine.lacombe@poupettestbarth.com / @poupettestbarth

 

 

Choose Kind

This kids’ accessories label from India caught our eye for its lovely muted colour palette and playful use of graphics and quirky characters. With sustainability as its core, this was Choose Kind’s first time at Pitti Bimbo, having previously shown at Playtime Paris. The designs create a language of colours and shapes free from gender and seasons. The brand wants to encourage creative play and for children to freely express themselves. Seasonless products are made with Khadi Denim, a special hand-spun and hand-woven organic cotton fabric. Using dyes from natural extracts and with a zero-waste process, Choose Kind considers the health of the planet throughout the entire production process. In addition, it uses 90% less adhesive and less solvent than traditional construction in shoes and bags, considered one of the biggest pollutants in the industry. Currently, products are 75% recyclable, with the aim to become 100% recyclable in the future. Upcycling waste fabric into shoelaces and using recycled paper packaging are the first forays into a bigger goal of becoming circular.
Contact: friends@choosekind.in / @choosekind.in

Pitti Bimbo 100 will take place on 22-24 January 2025. For further information, please click here. You can also visit Fiona Coleman’s Instagram here.