Apparently Suri Cruise’s wardrobe is worth $3m… These days a simple t-shirt just won’t cut it with style-savvy youngsters. Lauren Felicity Steventon picks the best SS10 ranges for children who like to keep it chic.
Whether you’re child is a mini fashionista like Suri, an indie kid like Shiloh or a rocker like Gwen Stefani’s Kingston, they’re going to have an opinion about their wardrobe, and more and more parents are looking for chic, stylish – but still childish – clothes for their toddlers and teens.
According to Alex Theophanous, who founded children’s clothing site Alex and Alexa (a kind of net-a-porter for kids) with wife Alexa in October 2007, “customers are style-savvy and discerning, and they get it. They shop for prestigious labels for their own wardrobes and want the same quality service and product when shopping for their offspring.”
As a result, Spring/Summer 2010 sees “bursts of neon brights, candy ice cream shades and funky prints dominating the collections with a key feature – child-proof fabrics!” And there are plenty of names to choose from: “We are stocking 12 new brands for Spring/Summer 2010, including Little Marc Jacobs, Chloe, DKNY, Hugo Boss and Fendi, which sit alongside some of the most exciting children’s wear brands, such as Bonnie Young, Torres, Scotch & Soda and RARE the kid.
www.alexandalexa.com
OVALE
Fashion can start at any age, and Ovale proves that even babies can be better dressed than their parents. The collection caters for babies up to 18 months, with soft wools and cashmere for cooler days, and cute linen pinafore dresses, denim dungarees and light cotton tops for the summer.
The colour palette is very natural, featuring whites, browns and creams to keep it unisex and chic. The softest toys and warmest rompers are perfect for bedtime, while shoes and accessories can be personalised with names or dates.
Some of the most beautiful items on offer are the christening dresses. Co-founder Gilles Neveu was a couturier at Dior, before leaving to design christening dresses. His designs use delicate lace and embroidery to create unique dresses that will be kept for generations.
This isn’t just a spot for parents to kit out their own children, Ovale has a lovely selection of gifts and jewellery to suit any occasion. Our favourite was the Ostrich Wish Egg… A real ostrich egg with silver tips is filled with notes from friends and family when baby is born. When they reach their 18th birthday, or any landmark celebration, the egg can be cracked and the notes read out.
www.ovale.com
CAREMEL BABY AND CHILD
Caramel Baby and Child is all about beautiful clothes that look smart, feel comfortable and combine the formality of continental Europe with the laid-back atmosphere of quirky Englishness.
Founder Eva Karayiannis trained as a lawyer, but always loved the intricacy of well-made children’s clothes. She wanted to provide something “relaxed and understated, with no logos, and conferring no spurious status, but as useful and beautiful as I could make it. I wanted to create a sanctuary from big fashion: somewhere for clothes you couldn’t find in any of the high street chains… I spent two years tracking down hand-crafted knitwear from Peru or artisan clothes from small designers in London or the Cotswolds.”
Her attention to detail and love of quality children’s clothing comes across in the collections, which feel formal but functional. The Shakespearean names of the clothes gives them a fun side: the Perdita skirt, in print and plain patterns looks peasant-like with a twist, while the Juliet striped knitted dress is super cosy. The boys’ Othello jacket with its sweater waistband will suit an urban or smart occasion, and the Lear stripe peasant shirt is perfect for a little artist.
www.caramel-shop.co.uk
With collections this cute who could blame Tom and Katie Cruise!
