KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Miki

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Following on from yesterday’s coverage of Vintage Kit, today I continue to showcase some of the standout vintage/retro-inspired design collections from Bubble London 2009.

Powell Craft

Harking back to a gentler time, the Powell Craft range is an excellent example of the ‘vintage for comfort’ trend currently emerging. A family business, Powell Craft sources many of its materials in Kashmir, which are then used to create handmade classic clothing and homewares which have a comforting, nostalgic mood.

The Powell Craft collection includes ranges for ladies (the traditional nightwear is delicate and feminine), the home and of course, for children with crisp embroidered cotton pyjamas, pretty party dresses and soft knit layette pieces featuring.  There is also a nursery bedding range of cot quilts embroidered with traditional designs in exquisite detail.

Powell Craft do not currently have an Australian distributor, but a good selection of their range can be purchased from Mad Molly.co.uk who ship to Australia.

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Rachel Riley

Founded in 1994 by French-based English designer Rachel Riley, this line of clothing and accessories has since gone from strength to strength. The beautiful collections for women, girls, boys and infants quickly gained popularity due to the vintage feel deliberately created by the use of traditional needlecraft: smocking, French seams, ricrac, bias and mother of pearl buttons variously feature in the designs.

The prints are also traditional but with a hint of whimsy, and include conversational prints such as flamingos, balloons and large-scale florals, along with polka dots, ginghams and stripes. Only high thread-count cotton is used, which adds to the luxurious feel of the clothing. However the clothes are designed for modern living: most are machine washable, easy to wear and leave children free to run and play.

Rachel Riley also design and manufacture children’s leather shoes in vintage styles to complement their clothing line.

A celebrity following is firmly in place, with Elle Macpherson, Nigella Lawson and Thandie Newton all counted on the customer list.

Rachel Riley clothes and shoes are available through their two stores in London and a third flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York. Australian shoppers can buy through the Rachel Riley website.

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Hansel & Gretel Knits

Irish designer Aine Clarke created Hansel & Gretel Knits when she found herself constantly complimented on the clothes she had hand-knitted for her own and friends’ children. Initially a small, home-based business, the orders continued to flood in until Clarke made the call to concentrate more fully on her growing line.

Using a combination of Irish traditional and contemporary techniques and designs, and a wide range of yarns and embellishments, the pieces have a fun, retro appeal. In many cases there are also coordinating hats and booties available. Perfect for active children, toddlers and babies, the knits are colourful and quirky and feel comfortably soft – no hint of scratchiness to bother sensitive skin.  All designs are machine washable and generously sized, adding to their practicality.

Chunky knits characterise the Winter ‘09/’10 collection while finer, more delicate yarns are being used for Summer ‘10.

At present Hansel and Gretel knits are not available to Australian shoppers, but we will be sure to update this as and when it changes.

Please check individual sites for postage and shipping details.