Founded in 2000, Bob & Blossom is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Best known for its affinity for fun slogans, a contemporary colour palette and great gifting options, the childrenswear brand has established a significant presence over the years. CWB interviews the company’s founder and designer, Kirsten Harris, to discuss the origins of the business and the key factors contributing to its success.
The story of Bob & Blossom began back in 2000 following the birth of founder Kirsten Harris’ son, Manny. Harris notes that there was little in the way of fashionable baby gifts at that time, and the creation of Bob & Blossom was in response to that. Essentially, Harris wanted to produce what she couldn’t find – something she could gift to her new mum friends on the birth of their babies.
“Everything baby was very old fashioned, with cheesy motifs and characters,” reflects Harris. “You couldn’t even buy a plain coloured pram – baby products at that time definitely weren’t fashionable or in any way cool.”
The makings of the brand began with a few screen-printed baby T-shirts, initially just for newborns, bearing sweet words in a modern colour palette. Harris then made little Glassine paper bags to present the T-shirts in, which she finished off with a ribbon and gift tag. Armed with her products, she approached half a dozen shops she felt her T-shirts would sell in, and the response was encouraging.
“Every shop I approached not only placed an order but placed a repeat order the next week,” says Harris. “One of these shops was Selfridges, which at that point was just setting up its first Children’s Department, so the timing was perfect. Selfridges sold so many that I was able to expand the range of styles and colours – and stop making the gift bags by hand!”
It was clear from the start that Bob & Blossom had the potential for significant growth, and the brand has since gone from strength to strength.
What started as a few newborn T-shirts has developed into an extensive collection spanning babywear from newborn to 12 months and children’s items up to age eight years. “We offer super soft babywear – all-in-ones with matching hats – a full collection of cotton Birthday Number T-shirts, soft sweatshirts with fun slogans, including the ever popular Brother + Sister prints, as well as tulle party dresses in a rainbow of colours. Our ethos is still the same – could the item be gifted? Will it bring a big smile?”
The brand’s ‘every day’s a party’ dresses, available in a variety of vibrant colours, are one of its bestselling lines. Similarly popular are the long-sleeved Birthday Number T-shirts, which feature Breton stripes available with the ages one through to five printed on the front. These T-shirts come in an array of colours ranging from Grass Green, Hot Pink and French Blue to more subdued shades such as Palma Violet and Dusky Pink.
Today, Bob & Blossom is available in numerous boutiques worldwide. Since 2004, the brand has also operated its own bricks and mortar shop located on Colombia Road in East London, home to the famous Sunday flower market, which draws a large number of customers to the shop. As well as showcasing the Bob & Blossom collection, the store also stocks a selection of other gift-oriented brands, including Rockahula Kids, Maileg and Jellycat, and will celebrate its 21st anniversary at the end of the year.
So, what’s the secret to 25 years of Bob & Blossom you may ask?
“We have never worked to seasons, that has never made sense to me as a business,” confirms Harris. “We carry stock all through the year and our stockists can order whenever they want to, with no need to forward order. Many shops order weekly or monthly, some a couple of times a year, whatever works for them. We have definitely noticed shops ordering more regularly rather than trying to order seasonally.
“The secret to our success? I guess not working seasonally, offering the customer stock whenever they want it. Also, keeping colours fun and jolly, playful without being wacky, and keeping prices as low as we possibly can – which is obviously getting harder and harder – and helping customers stock what’s right for them and their customers. Ultimately, giving good gifting that keeps everyone happy.”
Bob & Blossom currently fulfils all orders in-house. Harris’ husband, Mark, (sometimes known as Mr Blossom), is now running the distribution side of the business. Due to Brexit, Harris is contemplating setting up distribution in Europe in the future, but currently the brand has a B2B website for ordering. Readers wishing to set up a wholesale account with Bob & Blossom can contact info@bobandblossom.com.
There are undoubtedly lots of contributing factors to Bob & Blossom’s success, but as the brand celebrates a quarter of a century, it is clear that fun, smiles and the joy of gifting are values that will never go out of fashion.