KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Angela

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Whilst in New York for the Bubble tradeshow in March, I was hugely impressed with US label dan dan – www.dandangoods.com – who design a fabulous range of clothing for babies, and boys and girls up to 6 years. I was instantly drawn to the exquisite fabrics and tailoring, and then I discovered that all dan dan pieces are designed to grow with your child, so you can wear them, and love them, for longer!

I had a lovely conversation with dan dan designer Aiko Decelles (pronounced eye-koh d’sells), and quickly became besotted with her beauty, warmth and energy.

In the course of chatting, an Australian connection was revealed: Aiko spent 4 formative years gowing up in Sydney!

Aiko now lives in New York City with her husband Dan. Aiko enjoys yoga and golf, loves dogs, and colour is her favourite colour. Read on for more…

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Tell us about your background?

I was born in Tokyo, Japan, and in my childhood had the fortune of moving around. At three, we moved to the USA, and just as I’d secured the English language we moved back to Japan. At eight we left our mother country for the great land Down Under! An unforgettable four years was spent growing up in West Pymble NSW where I met my lifelong friends at Gordon West Public School (a shout out to Penny, Anoushka, Nadine, Rowena, Stephanie, Veronica, Leona, Christine, Siobhan!) At twelve, we made a permanent move back to the States where I’ve now been for 21 years.

After surviving two major catastrophes – escaping from the 38th floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center on 9/11, and most recently just narrowly resigning before the bankruptcy of my firm – I was ready for a change from my profession of Information Technology.

While I have no formal background or training in apparel or design, designing for function was my specialty in information technology, so I decided to apply it toward children’s apparel. Why children’s? Why not! It’s got to be the happiest segment of the fashion industry.

Tell us about the philosophy behind dan dan?

“dan dan” in Japanese means ‘gradual’ or ’step-by-step’ (and it also happens to be what I call my husband!)

The concept behind the collection is clothing that grows step-by-step with the child, focused on the common frustration that parents have of kids growing out of clothes so quickly. Our design is about function: wear it for longer and/or wear it more than one way.

Above: Pieces from the dan dan Spring/Summer 2009 collection

Above: Pieces from the dan dan Fall 2009/Australian Autumn/Winter 2010 collection

We’ve also extended our designs to address convenience. For example, our Spring/Summer 2009 collection of Lexi tops and dresses are designed where the front and back are symmetrical.This means you’ll never have the outfit on backwards, a great convenience factor particularly for fathers but also for girls learning to dress themselves!

As you can see in my collections, I tend toward very happy bright colors in the spring/summer, while looking for more refined, subdued and muted tones for fall/winter.

What inspires you?

Every season my design process starts with fabric. Fabric selection is by far what I enjoy most about the design process. My inspiration for silhouettes starts with an excursion to the Fashion District in NYC where I am surrounded by bolts upon bolts of textiles.

Ideas are generated by the combination of texture, color and broad aesthetic of the fabric.

What are your current top 5 products for baby and kids?

I am in love with products that draw out the inner creativity of children. My most recent find is The Little Experience, (2. below) a UK-based company who creates the most wonderful craft kits in equally creative boxed packaging for children across many skill levels.

Others include Land Of Nod (1. below) with a wide selection of arts & craft projects (love the “And Sew It Goes” kit!)

Also, I can’t go past my childhood favorite: latch hook kits! (5. below)

In apparel, I’ve been a huge fan of the sophisticated and simple yet so-accessible clothing for baby and children by Makie (4. below), and more recently discovered an exquisitely designed all-organic line by Tane Organics (3. below).

What’s your idea of a perfect day?

This one’s a no-brainer: my husband, the beach, sunshine and dogs! We recently spent some time on the coast of California south of San Francisco called Carmel. The beach runs for miles and walking alongside Dan with flip flops in hand, two Goldens frolicking up ahead, and the warmth of the sun combined with the cool morning air makes for the most extraordinary feeling of freedom and pure joy.

What is your favourite childhood memory?

My family liked to go camping and experience the great outdoors in rustic style, a luxury that was tough to come by in Japan. The moment we stepped foot in the States, my father purchased a caravan and tent. We would spend long weekends driving into wooded territory, setup our camp and go blueberry picking.

On occasion we’d wake to the ever-so-pleasant smell of skunk who’d raided our garbage through the night, but our trips away were always cherished, and my brother and I would anxiously await the next.

Retailers interested in becoming stockists can contact Aiko Decelles for information. Please check the dan dan website for US stockist information. dan dan is available to buy in Australia from ele-ahbaant.