Best In Show: Kids InStyle Trade Event, Sydney Australia 2011 – Part 2
Posted: February 27th, 2011Post written and photographed by Leah
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The Sydney 2011 edition of the Life InStyle trade-only event, incorporating , Kids InStyle, the baby and kids component of the show, was held at the Hordern Pavilion in Moore Park’s Entertainment Quarter, Australia, last weekend. This is the part 2 of our 3 part reportage.
Read Best In Show: Kids InStyle Trade Event, Sydney Australia 2011 – Part 1 here.
Read Best In Show: Kids InStyle Trade Event, Sydney Australia 2011 – Part 3 here.
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I’m a big fan of 1950s style, so when I spotted the little swimming cap on the model at the Alfie and Nina stand, I had to stop and peruse the wares. I have a squad of water babies in my house, so I am always on the look out for durable yet stylish swimwear which will make a statement on the beack whilst also providing some protection from the blasting rays of the sun. Alfie and Nina swimwear ticks all the boxes.
Alfie and Nina launched two years ago and is the brainchild of Melbourne based Josephine Webster, who named the label after her 5 year old daughter, Nina, and 2 year old son, Alfie. With a background in costume, film and textiles, Josephine understands the importance of colour, lines and detail and has used this to create exclusive prints for her range. The material for all the suits is made and screen printed right here in Australia.
In the upcoming spring/summer collection ready for release in August, you’ll see a movement towards brighter colours including dusty blues and oranges. Zip-up swimsuits are available for boys and girls from birth to 3 years, whilst the rashies, bathers and swimming trunks are available for boys and girls from size 1-7. Prices start at around $39.00. All products within the range are 50 SPF+ and tested chlorine resistant.
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Mothers of tweens listen up: I have found the most glorious line of tween wear for your girls. Henrietta Cheshire has heard your desire to find a range of quality, Australian Made, age appropriate wear for your girls to don for parties, outings and regular fun times. The cut will flatter without being provocative, the colours are stylish, and the designs maintain a pull for girls to actually wear them. Let me introduce you to One Sunday, a proudly Australian made label for girls 8-14.
Henrietta, mother of three gorgeous girls, is one creative mumma (just check out her blog – she put her flair for the unique to good use for her husband’s 40th birthday, hand embroidering him a poem from her own hair!). Having procured a fine arts degree many years ago, then biding her time in interior design, she has put her skills towards creating a range that her girls could wear and stand out from the crowd for all the right reasons.
With a limited run of 40 pieces per design (that’s just 10 pieces per size), your daughter is unlikely to find anyone else within her circle with these pieces. The spring/summer 2011/12 range are names after the places Henrietta would like to visit – find “Bilboa” and “Capri” amongst the group. My favourite – the Bilboa (the red dress above) is made from cotton with metal shot, which means it doesn’t need to be ironed, maintains its shape, and has a real shimmer to it.
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The Seedling range is one of my favourite gift ideas for both my own children and for friends. The idea of learning through play is a philosophy that I hold dear to my heart and this range of kits embraces this very belief with its creation of product kits that utilise real materials and tools for little hands to manipulate and construct.
The Seedling label germinated in 2006 when the production team couldn’t find a meaningful gift for youngsters. The product range started with 4 items and has expanded to over 40 which are now sold throughout the world. Watch out for the new items coming soon including new science experiments (including crystal growing), Artwork kits, Shields, worm farm kit, picture frame kits (great for Mother’s Day) and messenger bags.
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Kids spend over half their time asleep. For this very reason, I invest in quality, durable and comfortable pyjamas every single season. My first port of call is always Snugglebum. For starters, they’re super cute (the sleepers remind me of Michael in Disney’s Peter Pan!), and they always last the entire season and beyond despite ridiculous amounts of washing and wear.
Of course, I had to pop past the Snugglebum stand and grab the Melanie to find out what is coming up for the range. Guess what? Very very soon you will find Snugglebum doona covers that match the very pyjamas that you’re putting on your wee one. Watch this space!
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In 2002, Fabio Cattafi became an Uncle for the first time. This event inspired Fabio, a talented theatre performer, to start kidswear label Zephire Generation. Growing from a market stall at the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne, to a label now produced in the same factory that makes the likes of Alannah Hill and Dangerfield, Zephire Generation can now be found stocked in some of our favourite kids fashion stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Zephire Generation’s pulsating lines of coolness make it just perfect for funky monkeys wanting something to add to their street cred repertoire. A bold colour palette, energetic patterns and a mixture of textures will keep this label at the cutting edge of style for young funksters from 3-14.
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Once upon a time Joanne was happily working as a neuropsychologist. When she became pregnant and gave birth to daughter, Amélie, the experience took her breath away. Amélie became her inspiration and muse and soon after Little Chillies was born.
Heavily influenced by Parisian chic styling and fabrics, Little Chillies is an opulent range of shoes, garments and toys for little boys and girls. A family owned business spanning three generations and over 35 years of sewing experience, each and every item in the range is designed and made right here in Australia support ethical making practices and the Australian textile industry. Me eye was immediately drawn to the Blossom dress in the above picture which comes in two colour-ways “rabbit” (as above) and “pink”, is made from a silk cotton blend with a handmade silk flower addition. The winter collection is available now.
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If you haven’t come across Mae fabric removable, reusable wall decals before you need to know a few things. 1. The fabric is a polyester weave with a water based adhesive which means they have no pvc’s, are bio degradable and are non toxic. 2. They can be used over and over again, removed from the wall, repositioned, reapplied, even stomped on and will STILL stick. 3. You can wash them 4. They stick on almost every surface 5. They’re proudly designed and made in Australia, and 6. They are possibly the most stylish decals on the market.
New items for kids to watch out for: the new pirate ship; circus (including my favourite – the tattooed lady); robots, butterflies and creepy crawlies; and for adults, photo dots; rain clouds; message tiles; and swallows.
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Baobab‘s easy to wear, comfortable, yet stylish, range has all of us here at KidStyleFile beaming time and time again. Durable, easy washing, easy wearing 100% organic cotton shapes sustain their style through the season, and burst of vibrant colours make the pieces statement pieces when needed. Designed by Aussie mums for Aussie mums, the label finds itself included in my kidlets wardrobe each and every season, and I know since previewing the upcoming range that they will feature yet again.
Bold blue with red cuffs, pockets and neck line with a confetti like pattern strewn across it the Baobab Circle Pocket Dress must be the stand out piece for Winter 2011. Also, shhhhh….there are a few sneaky peaks of the ss11/12 collection above.
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Fans of eco and kid-friendly style should not miss Little Armourie, a label whose base philosophy is “Gorgeously safe ~ Practically comfortable ~ Divinely soft ~ Confidently modern”.
All cotton used in the production of garments for the range is 100% organic, is certified by ETKO and has received the GOTS certification. This extends to the dyes used (see here for more details).
Whilst upholding strong ethical standards for the production of the Little Armourie, the girls behind the label have ensured that they haven’t done so at the expense of style. The prints are exclusive to the range, and each design is made to ensure it fits well and stands out. The label is unique, combining thoughtful cuts and silhouettes within a spectrum of pastel colour swatches.
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Bold colours, sleek designs, and robust images: the fusion of materials and the combination of monochrome colour swatches provokes strong flashbacks to visits to the postmodern section of the art gallery. Add an extra dash of quirkiness and you have The Daniella Rosen Collection.
Elephants, hearts, hot air balloons, sewing machine and more in brooch, necklace, hairclip and paperclip form – pick your fancy, they’re all covered in this collection. My favourites? The Penny Farthing brooch and birdcage pendant.
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Please check individual stores for availability and postage and delivery information.
