KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Anna

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Well hello dear KidStyleFile readers! Will it freak you out if I tell you that Christmas Day is now only 57 sleeps away?! — Eeek! I know it’s sneaking up on me so fast this year!! — But though I may seem like a scare-monger,  you need not panic, because stepping in to help get your Christmas shopping under way is ele-ahbaant – www.ele-ahbaant.com.au.

To kickstart your Christmas shopping, until 3 November 2009 you can take a fantastic 20% off storewide at ele-ahbaant.  Enter “KSF Summer” at checkout to redeem.  And – yay! – this offer is perfectly timed as it includes already reduced items!

If you are looking for some quality gifts for little people (for a great price!), make sure you start at the The Clearance Rack for some absolutley marvelous bargains! Some of my favourite finds include the Itch Designs Frilled Toucan Hoody and the Daily Tea Mandarin Collar Long Sleeved Tunic.

Accessories always make a great stocking filler.  My favourite of the fantatic range of Taia hairclips stocked by ele-ahbaant is the small dots design.  Or how about putting a selection of these gorgeous hairclips in a Vintage Style Mini Suitcase for beautifully presented gift that can be used as a special spot for storing these and other treasures?

Now, as an Aunty myself, I know part of the appeal of this special role in life is to be the ‘best’ gift giver!  And ele-ahbaant can help you out in this department as well!  Stop by the What’s New? page if you are on the search for a ‘cool’ gift to keep your spot as #1 gift giver!

From this section I love the Alejandra Kearl Flower Dress and the absolutle stand out new stock from Dan Dan, like the Dan Dan Emma Dress in Antique Pink.

So, with the countdown now on, Happy Christmas Shopping!

*Prices quoted in red below, expire midnight November 3, 2009.  See above for discount code.

1. Hoof Hunter Shoe $36.95 with 20% off = $29.55
2. Daily Tea Mandarin Collar Long Sleeved Tunic $37.75 $19.95 with 20% off = $15.95
3. Alejandra Kearl Flower Dress $54.95 with 20% off = $43.95
4. Taia Hairclips Small Dots $8.95 with 20% off = $7.15
5. Itch Designs Frilled Toucan Hoody $49.95 $24.95 with 20% off = $19.95
6. Hoof Livvy Shoe $31.95 with 20% off = $25.55
7. Vintage Style Mini Suitcase Size S, $11.50 with 20% off = $9.20
8. Daily Tea Rooster LS Tee (1 left sz 3-6M) $24.95 $9.95 with 20% off = $7.95
9. Olli & Lime Bedding Set $134.95 $105.95 with 20% off = $84.75
10. Dan Dan Emma Dress Antique Pink $129.95 with 20% off = $103.95

At ele-ahbaant you will find some seriously funky kids clothing from the following brands: Agoo Leghuggers, Alejandra Kearl, Baby Star, Baobab, Blik, Cackleberry Kids, Chase ‘n Sky, Daily Tea Collection, Dotty Spot Designs, egg by Susan Lazar, eight3one, Eternal Creation, Glug Baby, Grasshopper Knitwear, Havoc Denim, Hoof Shoes, Itch Design, Miatom, Nanny Pickle, Olli & Lime, Pink Chicken NY, Red Chalk, Redfish Kid’s Clothing, Taia Hairclips, Three Little Trees and Wonderboy.

ele-ahbaant ship Australia-wide from $8.50 flat rate Australia-wide (Express or Registered Post). Orders over $99.00 ship Australia-wide for FREE! See here for further shipping details.

Today’s post written by Edwina

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Welcome to the first of our new KidStyleFile Mood Boards, which we’ll be bringing to you on the first day every month to get you inspired for what’s to come.

For September, spring is in the air, ready to bring warmer days, lighter clothes and the heavenly scents of early blooms.  To celebrate the change in mood we are sharing with you some of our favourite themes for the season. Fun, freedom, frivolity and exuberance (plus, flowers and our feathered friends!)

Click on the image for a larger view.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Images (left to right, top to bottom)

Flying Hat, Swinging Girl, Acorn Bird House, blooms by Nicolette Camille, Fred Bare Dress, Fred Bare Boys, Baobab boy, Dan Dan dress, more blooms by Nicolette Camille, i love dirt!, Isa Brown Hen, gorgeous boy from Oobi, I Love Gorgeous, Trelise Cooper Kids, Hen Print Dress, two girls from Two Belles

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

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.