Fiona Coleman, a colour and trends consultant for fashion and textiles, shares her favourite childrenswear collections from Pitti Bimbo AW23/24.

 

C’era Una Volta

C’era Una Volta (pictured above) is a beautiful, timeless Italian brand for newborns through to 10-years. C’era una volta means ‘once upon a time’ in Italian. A simple phrase we often hear during childhood when parents read stories to their children. Although the company’s roots are based in Italy, the founders have lived globally. The collections, therefore, show the influence of a mix of cultures and experiences. Founder and creative director Emanuela Nurra is now living in Tokyo once again, and so it is to Japan that we look to for the a/w 23 collection, ‘Feeling Home Again.’ Wrap details, quilted fabrics, 3D textures and voluminous silhouettes reflect the Japanese spirit of modern aesthetic, deep culture and reverence towards quality and artisan workmanship.
Contact: info@ceraunavoltabambini.com /@ceraunavoltabambini

 

Appulu

Based in Jaipur, this was Appulu’s first time at Pitti Bimbo, presenting its first a/w collection after launching for s/s 23. The brand has the desire to create seasonless ranges for a more sustainable way of working. This is alongside using finishes and details with heirloom appeal. Designed and handmade in India for global children, it uses the craft traditions of different regions. With kids and mothers in mind, Appulu creates each garment using natural fabrics and easy silhouettes for practical play. I love the blurred floral prints and patchwork coat in bright colours.
Contact: appulu.india@gmail.com /@appulu.co

 

The Little Blazer Company

Proudly British, The Little Blazer Company’s collections are made in the UK. By sourcing and making locally, its carbon footprint is as small as possible. Its factories are based in the UK with the highest ethical standards and its luxurious fabric is entirely sustainable. Crafted from Harris Tweed®, UK-farmed 100% pure new wool, the blazers are then lined in vegan satin. These heirloom garments are made to last, with the hope that each blazer supports many a story as it’s lovingly passed down through generations. Gender neutral in finish, comfortable, versatile and effortlessly cool for everyday wear and any occasion. Now open to wholesale partnership opportunities, the brand loves individuality and recognises every child’s need for self-expression. Each vibrant piece from the collection features an expression of character, empowering mini trailblazers with the confidence to be themselves.
Contact: contactus@thelittleblazercompany.com /@thelittleblazercompany

 

Petite Amalie

Designed in Melbourne Australia and born out of a love for heirloom timeless pieces, the Petite Amalie collection takes us on a magical journey through childhood fairytales. The theme for a/w 23 is ‘A Cinderella Story’ – layers and layers of tulle, silk organza, and also intricate lace and embroidery details. New for a/w 23 is a more casual denim-based collection with the same signature handwriting and aesthetic as the mainline. This has already been welcomed by existing customers in the soft launch last season, so there is now an eagerly awaited full collection. The palette mixes toffee, misty rose and dark indigo with washed black and blue denim. The unique prints take inspiration from nature. Fabrics, meanwhile, include cosy baby cord, faux shearling, chambray and denim. I love the wonderful attention to detail and vintage-inspired trims with a modern twist.
Contact: alex@petiteamalie.com /@petiteamalie

 

Bianca&Noè

A sustainable children’s fashion brand, Bianca&Noè hails from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Created in 2020 by Erika Di Rocco, the cornerstones of the collection are Italian sartorial tradition, minimalism and ecology. Targeting 2-9 years, sizing is generous to cover two or more years of a child’s growth, with many items also being gender-free. For a/w 23 the theme is ‘Concert for Trees,’ a tribute to the special unspoken bond between children and nature. Colours, as well as prints, take inspiration from northern forests, bears, wild birds, pine trees and frozen lakes. I particularly love the use of plant-derived fabrics. In addition to organic cotton, the brand uses hemp, Icelandic seaweed, mint, nettle and mulesing-free wool. Furthermore, in honour of the ‘Concert for Trees’ collection, there is a fabric derived from beech wood: a very soft Tencel.
Contact: wholesale@biancaandnoe.com /@bianca_and_noe

 

The Sunday Collective

First-time exhibitor at Pitti Bimbo and also showing at Playtime Paris, this New York City premium childrenswear brand believes in quality, timelessness and sustainability. For children aged 3-12 years, clothes are designed with the intention that each is passed down from one generation to the next. The a/w 23 collection, ‘Build Your World,’ takes inspiration from the limitless imagination of children and their ability to create magical realities around them. It blends smooth modern architectural features with rough organic qualities of nature to create both structured and free-flowing shapes. The collection’s workwear-inspired pieces bring a smart and elevated aspect to children’s clothing. Elsewhere, pleated skirts and tiered dresses make soft elements for everyday life. Corduroy, velour and quilting add unexpected textures. High-quality fabrics include cashmere, Italian merino wool and Peruvian alpaca, which are layered to last through the transitional and cold weather seasons. Adjustable hems, waistbands and sleeve lengths also allow for both functionality and comfort.
Contact: wholesale@thesundaycollective.com /@thesundaycollective_kids

 

Riffle Amsterdam

A GOTS-certified brand for 0-6 years, Riffle Amsterdam exhibited at Pitti Bimbo for the first time this season. Sold at several stores in the Netherlands, and working with agents in Japan, the USA, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and the Middle East, the brand is now looking to partner with a few UK stores for its a/w 23 collection, ‘Another Me.’ Nature, textures and colour are important to a Riffle collection. Looking inwards and finding out more about ourselves; who we are, our family tree and our ancestors. Layered items offering comfort and warmth in subtle prints and textured jersey, with colours reflecting autumnal nature, demand you to look closer. I love the simple mono-prints and micro-textured yarn-dye knits.
Contact: hello@riffle.amsterdam /@riffle.amsterdam

 

Anja Schwerbrock

A designer children’s collection for 2-14 years, with a separate baby collection for 0-2 years. Based in Antwerp, the German-born designer Anja Schwerbrock takes inspiration from the world of ballet, urban life and art, which she mixes up in her unique way. Showing her first baby and kids’ collection in 2012, she has an ongoing commitment to using soft and environment-friendly fabrics. For instance, undyed alpaca yarn and organic and recycled fabrics. The brand is manufactured at local fair wage companies using green energy and less water together with recyclable packaging. Anja is looking to slow down the trends cycle, with many timeless styles in the permanent collection. The a/w 23 collection, ‘Winter Flowers on Stage,’ combines dreamy dark-based florals, recoloured animal prints and genderless checks and stripes alongside technical fabrics and details.
Contact: sales@anjaschwerbrock.com /@anjaschwerbrock

 

Tia Cibani

Having led the creative direction of Ports 1961 for several years, Tia is an industry veteran in designer womenswear. She applies her deep knowledge of high craftsmanship to make heirloom-quality childrenswear. Believing that good design should be inventive, uplifting and functional, Tia Cibani creates collections for boys and girls from baby to age 16 years. Each season presents a myriad of textures in cotton, wool, silk and linen, which are developed in collaboration with artisans and mills. For a/w 23, we journey into the Canadian wilderness. A collection inspired by Tia and her daughter’s journey to her first sleepaway camp. I love the contrasting textures of tumbled corduroy, teddy fur, tulle and eye-catching all-over print.
Contact: info@tiacibani.com /@tiacibani

 

Infantium Victoria

Dinie and Julia, the founders of Infantium Victoria, started in 2014 with the mission of making the most sustainable kidswear possible. Believing that transparency, quality and sustainability are key ingredients for a successful fashion brand, they aim to offer their customers a truly one-of-a-kind collection. They are well into this journey; there is so much to learn about Infantium Victoria’s ethical stance on children’s fashion, that I invite you to discover more on their website. The signature print for the a/w 23 collection, ‘It Takes a Village,’ is a celebration of people in the textile industry. The design showcases plants that create organic plant-based textiles. The print also features simple tools used for sewing garments, symbolising the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each piece. To further emphasise commitment to sustainability, the brand uses deadstock fabrics from its previous collections and is a GOTS-certified company.
Contact: julia@infantiumvictoria.com /@infantiumvictoria

For further information on Fiona Coleman and to visit her website, please click here.