Fiona Coleman, a colour and trends consultant for fashion and textiles, shares some of her favourite baby, accessories and lifestyle collections from Playtime Paris SS24.
Kidding Studio
In today’s fast-paced world, children’s textiles have evolved from being merely functional to becoming a canvas for creativity and imagination. Kidding Studio (pictured above) is a sleepwear, bedding and home textile brand founded by parents, and created and ethically made in Georgia. Central to the brand’s ethos is the belief that clothing should be an extension of a child’s imagination and personality. With this in mind, whimsical prints take centre stage, featuring delightful illustrations using vibrant colours, bold images and mixed patterns. “We believe that by embracing creativity and imaginative play, we can inspire a new generation to explore, dream and discover the magic in every moment.” Supporting local production and using non-toxic inks and GOTS certified organic cotton are all important elements for this emerging brand.
Contact: info.kiddingstudio@gmail.com / @kidd_ingstudio
Cam Cam Copenhagen
Founded in 2012 by architect couple Sara Giese Camre and Robert Warren Paulsen, Cam Cam Copenhagen creates quality, timeless and tactile designs for children. Contemporary Scandinavian simplicity combines with classical architectural heritage, poetic prints and a delicate colour palette. The Cam Cam Copenhagen universe fulfils both the wishes of child and parent. The overall design focus is on sustainability, organic production and enduring design and material qualities. The brand offers enriching environments for families, from small everyday essentials to furniture meant to last a lifetime. “We believe that there is a need for calm and harmonious products for children and babies as a gentle contrast to the modern-day life for children, which is full of distractions. Our products support the peaceful, restful and contemplative moments for children.” New print collections for s/s 24 include Sea Garden, a delicate hand-drawn design celebrating the natural wonders of the sea. Also Berries, a soft vintage-inspired floral inspired by Art Deco wallpapers at French boutique hotels.
Contact: info@camcamcopenhagen.com / @camcam_cph
Riffle Amsterdam
A Dutch brand covering ages 0-6 years, Riffle is committed to producing fun and sustainable GOTS certified baby fashion. Garments showcase its love for craftsmanship, with unique prints designed in-house. There is a mix of poetic simplicity, fine detailing and comfort, using natural organic fabrics that are mindful of both babies’ skin and the planet. Garments are designed with freedom of movement and play in mind and can be mixed and matched in several combinations. Colour is an important element of any Riffle collection, and it was the simple palette of eye-catching summer shades that caught our eye at Playtime Paris; mustard yellow, royal blue and apricot orange. The theme for s/s 24 is rooted in nature. Exploring the forest with binoculars and magnifying glasses, gathering seeds and studying what happens next. We love the simple grid dragonfly and boat prints appearing across both the jersey and swim ranges.
Contact: hello@riffle.amsterdam / @riffle.amsterdam
Snug
It all started in Porto, Portugal when a designer’s passion met the vast experience of Portuguese textile company Hall & Ca, SA., a family-run business since 1981. A new brand – Snug − was born from this synergy, with a clear goal of creating and developing a new, unique and affordable line of baby products for up to 4 years. Hall & Ca, SA. produces entirely in northern Portugal with a strong network of partners within 50km of its headquarters. Snug believes in a less disposable and more sustainable world. Its Born Green range materialises its pledge to do its best for the planet. The brand extends that pledge to all packaging and communication, too. It always opts to support recognised sustainable origin and easy recycling or repurposing. However, sustainability doesn’t end with materials or the production process. It’s also about durability and the lifecycle increment of everything related to consumption, from marketing and communication to sales and packaging. For s/s 24, we love the use of nautical-inspired rope as a detail for knotted straps and appliqué placements.
Contact: snug@hall-ca.pt / @snugbyportugesehands
Mabli
Mabli is a family-run brand based in Wales specialising in natural knitwear for children as well as an ever-growing offering for adults. The brand celebrates slow fashion with an eclectic and vintage-inspired aesthetic. Its signature style always includes re-interpretations of traditional Welsh tapestry blanket patterns contrasted with simple and versatile ribbed layering pieces. The brand uses beautiful Italian-spun yarns such as 100% extra fine Merino wool, linen and organic Pima cotton. Garments are made with trusted suppliers in Wales, Scotland and across Europe. For s/s 24 the focus was to create a collection in keeping with changing buying habits. This means something either has to be more special or essential – or both. Also, a shift to more fun and joy. So, with that in mind, the season starts with cotton/cashmere, mixing spring freshness with lace detail and butterfly sleeves and a little cosiness from the cashmere. For the main drop, there is a fun mix of styles in the signature Welsh tapestry jacquard pattern combined with Breton stripes and 80s colour blocking to mix and match. Finally, for summer, Mabli’s fine 100% linen proves that knits can be as practical for summer as winter, with a beautiful light yarn full of tones of rainbow tweed in muted ice-cream shades on relaxed easy shapes.
Contact: sales@mabli.co.uk / @mabliknits
Hänska
Hänska is a bag brand for adults and kids who strive for a more sustainable lifestyle. A tight-knit team is an invaluable aspect of the brand’s creative approach, with constant communication allowing new ideas to flourish. Most products are designed, sampled and made by the team at the brand’s studio in Berlin. Higher volumes are produced in Portugal. Bespoke production allows for small runs and a flexible range of accessories using renewable and ecologically sound materials. The main collection can be ordered all year round, with stock items shipped within one week. We love that custom colours can also be combined, making selections unique to customers. Made-to-order is understandably on a much longer lead-time. Ikasi is the newest edition to the Hänska family, a small, light rucksack perfect for younger children. The fabric is a durable, water-repellent cotton, woven dyed in Germany. The padding is 100% wool felt, also made in Germany.
Contact: sales@haenska.com / @haenska
Yaarn
Yaarn creates crochet fashion, accessories and toys with a contemporary and playful approach and a focus on detailed design and quality. A mother-and-daughter team from Belgium is at the heart of the company, which was founded in 2018. The idea came from treasured memories of crochet blankets passed down by grandmothers – heirloom pieces to be passed on for generations to come. Anne is now a true crochet specialist; she makes all the prototypes and designs all the patterns. Hannelore, meanwhile, has a fashion business background. She also lived in India for two years where she developed a great affinity for the country and all the local crafts. They found a collaborative partner in Godavari Co-operative Society in Narsapur, India and have taken an ethical responsibility to purchase from a manufacturer that supports fair working conditions. They travel there a few times each year to put new styles into production and teach the local women the new patterns. “As mothers, we find it very important that these women are able to combine their work and household, all in their own time, working on our products from home.” There are two sides to the collection that evolve rather than change every season. The more muted classics and a fun, colourful fashion collection with crochet squares making up tops and bottoms as well as accessories. Furthermore, all pieces can be mixed and matched in endless combinations.
Contact: info@yaarnhandmade.com / @yaarn.handmade
Garbo&Friends
Launched in 2012, Swedish-based Garbo&Friends − its name is a homage to Greta Garbo − is unmistakably Scandinavian in design, with hand-drawn prints in soft muted tones. Initially focusing solely on interiors, the brand more recently introduced a complementary fashion collection using soft natural fibres and prints. Produced in Portugal, the company uses Oeko-Tex fabrics throughout its collections and also prioritises the use of recycled fabrics. The theme for s/s 24 is Before It’s Gone, taking inspiration from the Nordic archipelago. It captures the islands’ magic of late summer; flowers in bloom, salty sea air, and beaming sunshine. The interior collection takes inspiration from traditional Nordic summerhouses. Distinct gingham checks and oversized geranium floral prints – the prominent floral of Nordic summers. For warmer evenings, there is bedding in soft cotton muslin. Sateen also features throughout filled products for added durability. The Garbo&Friends swimwear collection with a UPF 50+ rating protects skin against UVA and UVB rays. New for s/s 24 is the athleisure range in structured waffle jersey.
Contact: enquiries@vida-kids.co.uk / @garboandfriends
Nobodinoz
Nobodinoz creates a complete universe for babies and kids, including both hard and soft materials for nursery decor, bedding, toys, furniture and accessories. Designed in Barcelona and locally made in Europe, the company oversees all processes, from design to production. The textile products are woven, dyed, printed and sewn in Spain. The wooden toys and accessories, meanwhile, are made in France and Germany. Organic cottons and recycled textiles are hypoallergenic due to their eco-textile processes. The use of biodegradable tints and pigments also means that they are kinder to the environment. From the s/s 24 collection, we love the ‘wabisabi’ range. Also the appliqué quilts, which this season include an on-trend horse design with a tactile mane.
Contact: web@nobodinoz.com /@nobodinoz
Pehr
Pehr creates thoughtfully designed and sustainably made clothing, nursery and essentials for newborn to five years. The female-founded, female-led company was launched by Jen Kelly and Becca Perren when they struggled to find a brand that could accurately reflect their shared approach to both style and motherhood. Ranges are produced in partnership with craftspeople and ethical manufacturers with a focus on capturing the magic of childhood. Pehr also aligns with like-minded groups such as Care & Fair and Good Weave, organisations dedicated to providing educational opportunities for women in developing countries. “An element of ‘playful sophistication’ was, and continues to be, the lens through which all of our products come to life. Nothing good gets done in a hurry. So, we spend a lot of time sweating the details. From fabric to fit, palettes to prints, our design process is slow and steady to ensure we bring the best to you and your babe.” We love the brand’s simple signature stripes in organic cotton.
Contact: sales@pehr.com /@pehr
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