I recently enjoyed attending a performance of The National Ballet of Ukraine, held at the beautiful New York City Center. I was struck by the seamless visual melding of the venue’s elaborately decorated Moorish architecture, with the richly decorated folkloric costumes of the dancers. I had previously seen similar and equally striking attire on dancers at the Ballet Folkloric de Mexico, a look that provides inspiration for contemporary fashion as featured in this issue’s “Viva Mexico!” trend pages.
In Kids à la Mode #14, we’re highlighting some fantastic brands hailing from around the globe, including two countries represented in our magazine for the first time: Selini Action’s hand-crafted decorated beachwear from the isles of Greece; and the vibrant, travel-inspired artwork of Hebe Studio, based in Australia. Other articles in this issue include: profiles of two outstanding girl’s sportswear brands, Maan and INDEE-- both from Belgium; the 70th birthday celebration of Djeco, a famously creative French toy company; and an inside look at the London design studio of the fabulous Stella McCartney Kids. We touch on both coasts of the USA, from a retail report of Just Jake’s in Brooklyn, to an exclusive photo essay shot in Los Angeles by international kid’s photographer Emily Kornya.
It’s fun to see the overlapping of elements and influences from various cultures and countries, as this “blending” helps create the very best in design. Our cover picture is from Holi & Love, a company founded by a Belgian woman living in India, based on wood-blocked printing and artisanal skills found there. Our cover shows the success of this venture!
But some things are universal… and we are quite sure that our cover model’s expressive charm and attitude will delight everyone, everywhere.
Best wishes,
Janet A. Jacobs, Editor-in-Chief
KIDS À LA MODE
www.kidsalamodemagazine.com
Kids a la Mode kids_a_la_mode 57 Lincoln Ave. Little Falls, NJ 07424 USA
Janet has been involved with almost every aspect of children’s fashion. Graduating from Fashion Institute of Technology, New York with a degree in Fashion Design, she has been working in the children’s wear industry ever since. Janet has designed kid’s apparel and products for a wide range of clients. As a photo-journalist, she has written and photographed for major fashion and trade publications, traveling the world to follow the latest design trends and current news. Janet also enjoys teaching swim classes for children and adults.
Maggie Roemig Layout & Graphic Design
Maggie is a freelance graphic designer, artist, and creative thinker working in Chicago, Illinois. An artist since her childhood in Iowa, she received a BFA in printmaking and metalsmithing from the University of Iowa, and has thrived in creative rolls ever since, including floral design, jewelry design, and creative direction for a start-up. She loves home improvement projects, hiking, art museums, road trips, boots, gardening, vegetarian food, breweries, and coffee shops.
Studio Toebosch
Layout & Graphic Design
Studio Toebosch is a graphic and surface pattern design studio based in Amsterdam. Studio Founder Marie Claire Toebosch graduated from ArtEZ University of Arts with a degree in Fashion Design. She has extensive experience in the fashion industry as designer, graphic artist and art director. Studio Toebosch works on projects for magazine design, graphic design and creating print patterns for textiles, interiors and wallpaper.
David Jacobs Contributing Editor
David’s love of literature started early and continues to this day. He is the author of over sixty published novels and works of nonfiction, covering diverse genres as action/ adventure, true crime, science fiction and especially American Westerns. David brings his expertise and unique writing style to fashion publications as a copywriter, proofreader and contribuing editor.
Carly Michelson Layout & Graphic Design
Carly is a New Jersey based photographer and graphic artist. She studied art and art history at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. She currently works as a product photographer, while also shooting landscapes, family portraits, and events. In her spare time, Carly volunteers with local animal welfare group New Jersey Strays, contributing her skills in photography, design and social media marketing to this worthwhile cause.
THE MAGIC OF US!
Photo: Foque
export@pazrodriguez.com
14 18 20 22 28 32 34 38
STELLA MCCARTNEY KIDS
Meet the team behind the iconic, eye-catching fashions from this world-famous designer.
VIVA MEXICO!
A fiesta of fun, color and culture.
PITTI BIMBO
The season’s opening international trade show for Spring/ Summer ’25 collections.
TRENDS
Six fashion stories to set the tone for the new season.
INDEE
A colorful sportswear collection with a modern message for today’s girls and teens.
PLAYTIME PARIS
A winning selection of exceptional Kid’s fashion and lifestyle designs.
DJECO
Celebrating 70 years of a famous family-owned, delightfully reative French toy company.
COLOR TRENDS
Directional palettes inspire apparel, accessories and more.
INDEE
Stella McCartney Kids
MAAN
Fashionable and fun sportswear created in Antwerp, home of great Belgian design.
SHOW UP
Artful collages display superb designs for toys, gifts, décor and lifestyle.
MODE FABRIEK
“Color your Day” at this forward-looking Dutch design showcase.
HEBE STUDIO
Meet the talented artist and entrepreneur behind brightly beautiful artwork.
L.A. VIBES
Sunny West-Coast locale is the setting for exclusive photoshoot by Emily Kornya.
SELINI ACTION
The romantic history of a beachwear brand hand-made in Greece.
Located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Mini Jake is a modern children’s and baby’s store featuring furniture, toys, strollers, clothes, sleepwear, books, cribs, bedding, diaper bags, mattresses and more. The twenty-year old store has been in its current location for 16 years. Store manager Bernadette Conte says of the neighborhood,” When I came here in 2009, there was nothing here-- it all empty lots.” Today the area is a thriving, trendy and highly desirable place to live and raise families.
Although modest from the outside, the store’s interior is very spacious and feels like a special little world of its own. High ceilings, natural light, lots of wood fixtures and exposed brick walls are the perfect setting for the expertly selected merchandise, which is all arranged by kids’ ages as well as categories. The store’s strongest sales are in baby gear, followed by toys and clothing. “Our customers are a real cross-section, and we have to pick and choose our selection carefully,” says Bernadette. Their wide-ranging clientele includes sophisticated shoppers from around the world, as well as a local Hassidic community who tends to favor more traditional styling. Since Mini Jake offers such a full range of merchandise, it’s a popular place to select baby registries which can include everything from the smallest toy to strollers and furniture. And the somewhat closed-off furniture section offers a private and peaceful place to nurse or rest, and to get refreshed for more shopping ahead!
Chatting with the design team of Stella McCartney Kids, a sustainable luxury line that inspires a world of eco-conscious imagination.
Where Is your design studio located? Is it near to Stella McCartney’s adult design studio?
It’s the same team, Kids, it’s designed directly in London into Stella headquarters. How much influence and design direction do you get from the adult’s collection each season, and from Stella herself?
The Kids collection perfectly reflects Stella’s own vision for dressing children and beyond. It embodies the brand’s and the founder/designer’s philosophy, emphasizing sustainability as much as style.
Your prints, graphics and appliques are fabulous—so bold, colorful (of course), playful and fun! What inspires the artwork? How many designers and artists do you have on your staff?
We work with a range of individuals, though it’s challenging to quantify them precisely, as in many cases, we engage in seasonal collaborations. For these, we invite various international artists or designers, as we did last season with the Japanese artist Nara.
It seems that certain motifs are especially important to your look, such as rainbows, flowers and animals. How do you come up with the season’s special themes?
An essential part of our brand is always linked to a playful and colorful element. The brand’s background is built on prints, colors, and animals. Inspiration primarily stems from the idea of how we envision children dressing—playfully, without taking themselves too seriously.
What are key themes, motifs and trends for Spring/Summer 2025?
Stella McCartney Kids is sprinkled with fairy dust, for Spring/Summer 2025. Dive into a whimsical wilderness inspired by the magic of nature and wildlife, meet Stella’s friends from the animal kingdom and join them on captivating adventures. A familiar, bucktoothed ocean critter and picnic pals explore alongside both feline and froggy friends, navigating their way across skatepark, enchanted forest and garden tea party motifs. What’s more, the collection is crafted from 94% eco-conscious materials-- a noteworthy accomplishment.
It’s so refreshing to see bold color and humor in boy’s wear designs. What percentage of your line is boys? Is it a growing part of your line?
The Boys segment, particularly for juniors and teens, is certainly not the primary focus, as the brand is largely perceived as
catering to women and girls. However, this segment will undoubtedly grow in the future with the addition of new products.
Do you do an athletic wear line for kids? Shoes and accessories?
No Adidas to it... we have sportswear, but non athletic.
I know that Stella McCartney herself has always represented a strong concern for the environment, and that she is very outspoken on ecological and ethical matters. How does this affect the designs of your brand? How does it influence the choices of fabrics, production, and the subjects of your prints and graphics?
Sustainability is the main focus of each Stella McCartney Kids collection and every season we have different characters to represent the Designer’s love for nature. The collection is developed using the 93% of sustainable fabrics-- the research of sustainable materials is a never-ending process, and it also affects the choice of the suppliers and packaging. We’re working very hard in order to create and maintain very high sustainable standards along with a competitive retail price.
What can we look forward to for your Fall/Winter 2025 collections?
The prints will be inspired by the world of nature, dreams and imagination. The next collection will be an invitation to discovery and creativity. We use soft and comfortable fabrics, with cuts that guarantee maximum freedom of movement. Our brand is constantly evolving. We listen carefully to our customers and their needs, to always offer innovative and quality products. There will be no shortage of graphic and funny elements to stimulate the creativity of the little ones. Our clothes are designed to accompany children on their daily adventures.
Afiestaoffun,colorandculture.
Djeco
Piccoli Principi Swimwear
Kitch Kitchen
Illiana
Global Affairs
Molo
PITTI IMMAGINE BIMBO
The theme of summer’s Pitti Immagine trade shows was PITTI LEMON -- an evocative reference to sunny Florentine skies, tangy fruit, and a burst of energy. With yellow being a trendy fashion color this season, the lemony theme flowed easily from the exhibitors’ stands to the show’s art and decor, both inside and outside of the Fortezza da Basso pavilions.
As Pitti Bimbo was the season’s opening kid’s wear show, Spring/ Summer 2025 collections were seen for the first time at sportswear, special occasion, and swim wear lines from international companies and Italian brands. Lemons inspired color palettes, print motifs and decor throughout the show, such as yellow ruffled dresses from A Lapage, to lemon print styles at Australia’s Alex & Ant, to fun outdoor displays like the bright yellow “vintage” phone booth -- the perfect prop for photo opportunities. Exhibitors ranged from such well-known designer labels as Dolce & Gabbana and Aigner; to full-range collections at AO76 and Gingersnaps; to Mediterranean-inspired embellished swim wear and block-print dresses at Selini Action and Poupette St. Barth.
Fun & Fun
Dolce & Gabbana Aigner
photos by Emily Kornya
Added attractions such as “Lemon Connect: Time to Meet” used speed dating as the format for an event where buyers, press and exhibitors met and exchanged information before moving on to the next mini-meeting. The evening’s outdoor Pitti party featured a band with kid musicians, informal modeling sessions and refreshing lemon-flavored drinks.
Pitti Bimbo 99 recorded a final attendance of nearly 1,200 buyers, with 48% coming from abroad representing 50 countries. Among the top foreign markets at this edition were: Great Britain, China, Spain, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Belgium, United States and Saudi Arabia. Kids à la Mode looks forward to the next show in January when Pitti Bimbo will celebrate a fantastic milestone: the 100th edition of this unmatched and beautiful fashion event.
Selini Action
Poupette St. Barth
Haidaendsik
A Lapage
Alex & Ant
Paint-Pourri
Color vibes come alive.
Wynken
Haidaensik
H Love
Djeco
Imperial
Molo
Pepa Lani
Knit Knock-Outs
A yarn for all seasons.
Stella McCartney
Manilla Grace Philosophy
Gingersnaps
Haidaensik
Chambray & Stripes
Crisp and classic summer fabrics.
Newness
Boboli
ToBeToo
Dixie
Holi & Love
Maan
Team Up
Sports-inspired styles score big.
Dixie
Molo
Wynken
Gingersnaps
Town Pride
Fifth
Snack Bar
Treat yourself to fashion fun.
Stella McCartney
Eat My Socks
Djeco
Billieblush
Oilily
Musli
On the Wing
Bird motifs are taking flight.
Wynken
Billieblush
Melange
Boboli
Djeco
Paade Mode
INDEE is a colorful sportswear collection with a modern message for today’s girls and teens. Kids à la Mode sits down with Marketing
Responsible Laura Wilford to know more.
This is such an original brand! Does the name INDEE mean independent? Is encouraging girls to “be themselves” part of the INDEE philosophy?
Yes, the name INDEE indeed comes from “independent.” Our brand philosophy centers around empowering young girls and women to be themselves. Through our collections, we aim to instill confidence and inspire the younger generation to embrace their individuality.
Is the collection primarily for teens and older girls?
We initially focused on teenage girls, but we are now expanding our target audience to include young women as well. However, our most popular sizes remain XXS, XS, and S, which typically cater to the 14 to 18-year-old age group.
Do you also have an adult women’s line?
We currently only have the INDEE brand, which is designed for both teenagers and young women.
Please tell us more about INDEE.
The company was founded in 2016, with our first collection launching in the summer of 2017. We are a small company consisting of just three people, and we collaborate closely to design each collection. Our production is mainly done in Italy and Tunisia, with a small portion in China.
Your designs are so strong, colorful, and graphic. Do you usually prefer abstract designs and stripes?
We love color, mix-and-match patterns, and bold designs. Our collections always include a balance between timeless pieces and those with strong, bold designs.
What fabrics do you use? Mostly knits or woven fabrics?
It depends on the piece. We have a wide selection of knitwear, but also a significant portion of woven garments. A complete collection requires a mix of both.
Is the U.S. an important market for INDEE? In what other countries is INDEE available?
The U.S.A. is becoming a significant market for our brand. In Europe, INDEE is primarily available in Belgium and France. We also have a B2C website, making us truly international.
We love color, mixand-match patterns, and bold designs. “ ”
THE PERFECT POLO
Contrast-color plackets perk up a perennial shirt classic.
Gingersnaps
Paade Mode
INDEE
The Sunday Collective
The timing of Playtime’s summer edition could not have been better. With the Olympics only weeks away, Paris was buzzing with anticipation and excitement. The Tour Eiffel was decorated with Olympic rings, many landmark buildings were freshly cleaned, public swimming pools offered special Olympic-sized lanes — and the world’s most beautiful city looked even more radiant than ever.
Playtime made the most of this historic event by featuring sports as an ongoing theme throughout the show. The staff at “Team Playtime” all wore white shorts and pants, striped socks and sneakers, and colorful visor caps. Show décor and displays played up sporty styling, and the seasonal mood wall, created by various contributing publications, was inspired by all things athletic.
Team Playtime
Paade Mode
Oilily AO76
Maison Mangostan
The show brought together nearly 3,700 professionals for three days of trend directions, meetings, networking and of course, commerce. International and French buyers viewed Spring/Summer 2025 collections of 240 brands representing apparel, lifestyle, foot wear and parenthood products. With more than 3,418 visitors coming from 67 different countries, this edition noted the presence of mostly European buyers, along with an increased number of visitors from Asia and the Americas.
The Olympic sports feeling was reflected in the colors, fabrics, trim and styling of many top fashion collections. AO76 presented a strong coordinated line featuring lots of white mixed with clean, very bright colors; Tumble ‘n Dry showed dynamic print tee shirts including a new take on racer checks; Liewood’s lifestyle brand highlighted a basketball theme on apparel and accessories; badge motifs and star patterns were featured at Gingersnaps and Oilily. Wide stripes, color blocking and athletic detailing were clear trends this season-- an homage to the winning mood created by the extraordinary Paris Olympics.
Tumble ‘n Dry
Liewood
Planet Sea
Gingersnaps
This French family-owned toy business is celebrating a major milestone birthday of 70 years! Since 1954, Djeco has continued to expand their delightful universe of highly creative, mostly educational toys, games, books, arts and crafts and more. Kids à la Mode congratulates Djeco on this happy occasion! We spoke with Roselyne, head of Marketing, to get the full story of this fantastic brand.
Who started the company in 1954, and why?
Behind Djeco, there’s a strong and beautiful family story. In 1954, in the heart of Paris, Véronique Michel-Dalès founded “les jeux du Djeco”. At this time, few women and mothers ventured into entrepreneurship! Creative and bold, she designed educational, yet fun games. The adventure begins: letters and numbers are learned through her colorful dominoes. Then she invented illustrated educational games such as “Le Loto des 4 jeudis” and “L’autorallye” for boys and girls, which were very successful. Her talent was recognized with four Toy Oscars in the 1960’s!
What role did the founder’s son, Frédéric play in the company’s growth? Is he currently still involved in the company?
In 1989, Frédéric, Véronique’s son, took over the family business, which had been dormant for years. His childhood was nurtured by his mother’s wonderful imagination: chief tester of her mother’s inventions, he grew up with the magical idea that working is playing. Frédéric first traveled around the world in search of unique toys and games to import to France, then his imagination inspired him to create products that couldn’t be found anywhere on the market; he simply had to create them! He remains currently at the head of Djeco, leading the Creative
Direction, guided by his creative sensibility and surrounded by a team of 70 enthusiasts.
The products’ artwork has a bold, unmistakable and completely adorable look! Is one illustrator responsible for the look, or do you have many artists?
Our unique artistic approach truly lies at the heart of Djeco’s creative process. At the origin of each product, there is an idea, carried by our creative team: they play very seriously but without taking themselves too seriously to invent smart, design-led toys and games. Whimsical, poetic, and delicate artworks enhance each product. Today, Djeco collaborates with over 200 established and emerging artists
who bring that distinctive artistic touch to each of our products. Enchanting children while introducing them to art is what sets Djeco apart in an industry still largely dominated by conformity.
In 2011, Frédéric and Barbara Michel-Dalès created a collection of children’s illustrations with the desire to share their passion for this world. The aim of the collection is to support artistic creation and exhibit works by young contemporary artists, mainly from France.
This unique collection was unveiled to the public in 2018: young and old were able to admire it at the ‘C’est pas du jeu!’ exhibition at the Musée de l’Illustration jeunesse in Moulins, in central France.
What are the categories of products? Which categories are most popular?
With almost 1,600 products, including 300 new items every year, Djeco offers games, toys and activities to support children’s development as they grow, from 3 months to... 99 years.
Among the most successful ranges are a number of Djeco innovations that are often copied: silhouette and observation puzzles, board games for toddlers from 2 ½ years old, artists’ creative workshops, musical instruments with impeccable sound, chain reaction circuits.
We offer our collections through 3 catalogues:
•Toys & Games catalog features wooden toys for toddlers, puzzles, educational games, dolls, pretend play and construction sets, small cars, board and card games.
•The Arts & Crafts catalog offers a broad spectrum of creative activities for all ages, allowing exploration of various artistic techniques such as decalcomania, magic sand, pastels, painting, coloring, and scratch cards, enabling the creation of true little masterpieces.
•The Life Style catalog includes decorative items, accessories, watches, and stationery, perfect for adding a touch of magic to children’s rooms!
In how many countries is Djeco available? Are the booklets and games translated into many languages?
Children on all five continents play with Djeco. We export our products towards 66 countries. And that’s not all that surprising, since we’ve translated all our products into ten languages since 1993, to ensure they have an international reach.
What type of store carries the line? Are Djeco products shown in museum gift shops?
Over the years, a long-term, trust-based relationship has developed with our retailers. Our products can be found in traditional toy stores, concept stores, and bookstores that share the same values as Djeco. Djeco’s creations are also present in prestigious museums around the world, such as the Louvre in Paris, the MoMA in New York, and the Tate Gallery in London.
It’s a rare pleasure to see a full range of toys not made of plastic! How are the products made regarding concern for the environment?
In fact, the vast majority of our products are made from wood and cardboard. And to ensure that these raw materials come from sustainably managed forests, Djeco has been committed to FSC® certification since 2010. By 2024, 79% of Djeco’s wood and cardboard products were FSC® certified, and this percentage is rising every year. At the same time, since 2021, singleuse plastics inside and outside product packaging have been eliminated and replaced by paper alternatives.
Are there certain characters and items that are consistently customer’s favorites?
As our products are all different, we don’t have an iconic character which would be declined on several references. However, we are very proud of the success of our recent Crazy Motors collection featuring over 20 crazy drivers and their iconoclast cars. It could be the beginning of a long and wonderful story.
Who is the Djeco namesake character?
Djeco evokes the gecko, the little lizard that is known as symbol of happiness in Asia. Now, you know why this little animal is part of our logo!
RAINBOW INFUSION
An airy mélange of light pastels.
Molo
Boboli
The Sunday Collective
AO76
Djeco
Stones and Bones
Billiblush
Angels Face photo by Emily Kornya
Fun Fun
Beatriz Montero
CUPCAKE COLORS
Sweet icing toppings are festive and fun.
AO76
Tumble ‘n Dry
Poupette St. Barth
Eat My Socks
Oilily
Fun Fun
Vilebrequin
Maan
Eat My Socks
Tumble ‘n Dry
Holi & Love
Global Affairs
REGATTA
Sailing flags signal clear, bright hues ahead.
Bobo Choses
Illiana
Jeckerson
Vilebrequin
Djeco
Indee
Ligne Noire
Poupette St. Barth
Dixie
Sticky Lemon
Manila Grace
RefrigiWear
The Nice Fleet
Known for artistic, refined, and always-appealing designs, Maan has been making highly fashionable kid’s wear since the millennium year of 2000. Kids à la Mode welcomed the chance to sit down with company founders Vicky Vinck and Evelyne De Brock at Playtime Paris.
Based in Antwerp, well-known as the home of the best Belgium designers, Maan is exactly one year younger than the famous “Six of Antwerp,” a group that includes world-famous designer Dries Van Noten. Before then, Evelyne and Vicky were already working together on a line of children’s sleep wear. Evelyne explained, “Vicky was pregnant with her son and working for Zero per Zero. She decided to use shirting fabrics for kid’s pajamas. We started with sizes 3 months -- 8 years.” Creating this collection was a smart way to ensure that Vicky had great looking pajamas for her soon-to-be born baby!
Outstanding fabrics, both woven and knit, continue to be a key feature of Maan. Fabrics are sourced mostly in Spain and Italy, and Maan also produces some of its own fabrics such as garment-dyed. The print patterns are designed specifically for Maan, with some designs drawn by Vicky and Evelyne’s children. Maan’s silhouettes are straight-forward and comfortable: trousers, loose dresses, boxy shirts, jackets and iconic pleated skirts (newest in metallic fabrics). Maan’s special beauty comes from the way pieces are put together into outfits. Sophisticated combinations of colors, fabrics, textures, prints, checks and stripes are what makes the brand uniquely recognizable. Asked about inspiration for the beautiful color palettes seen every season, Vicky says, “It all starts with the fabrics we find each season. We shop for fabrics first. Then we put the fabric swatches on the table, make mood boards, and our color palettes start to evolve.”
Maan’s seasonal photography is a perfect showcase for the line. Artistically shot in lovely locales, the many ways to pair clothes and accessories are suggested on active kids in fun poses. It’s always a treat to see Maan’s new seasonal photo shoot, spotlighting this ever-superb brand of chic Belgian design.
Evelyne De Brock and Vicky Vinck
BL MING
DELIGHT
You don’t need a whole bouquet, a single flower will brighten your day.
Molo
Illiana
A selection of superb designs, seen at the top Dutch showcase for toys, gifts, home décor and lifestyle.
Photography and page layout
handcrafted Dutch stacking candles
LUMINLIQUE
handmade ceramic plates RICE
melamine cups RICE
ceramic vase and mug RICE
salt & pepper shakers DOIY
papercraft ASSEMBLI
burger candle DOIY
Studio Toebosch
ceramic vase RICE
vase pretzel FLUID MARKET
vase milk FLUID MARKET
rodeo ceramic vase DOIY
fries & burger salt & pepper shakers DOIY
donut candle holder DOIY
vase DOIY
fun-shaped socks! EAT MY SOCKS
bags from MIMI & LULA
greeting card
STUDIO INKTVIS
STUDIO FLASH
STUDIO FLASH
STUDIO BERTHA
earrings
BIBI * CAMILLE
bags from ROCKAHULA
rosette MIMI & LULA
necklaces and bracelets
papercraft
plush bears CHARLIE BEARS
night lights DHINK
plush bears CHARLIE BEARS
toilet brush DHINK
korean artprints WARMGREYTAIL
caps - socks - boots MAXIMO
Photography and layout by Studio Toebosch
MODEFABRIEK
Amsterdam’s summer edition of Modefabriek was all about the future. Not only the future of fashion, but also such weighty issues as the future of entrepreneurship, apparel brands, retailers and the entire fashion field. Their unifying philosophy says that in a world filled with worry and instability, we must embrace the new and unknown. A well-attended program of professional talks stressed this all-encompassing message: Unite and Embrace Change! Another growing trend they cited is Maximalism-- to let your imagination run wild and combine everything in a whole new way. This tied in nicely with the motto of world-renowned trend analyzer and Modefabriek speaker Lidewijk Edelkoort: “Always be a fantastic dresser!”
Oilily
Oilily
Asportuguesas
Sticky Sis
Ruben Jurriens Hampton Bay
Zilch
The beautifully displayed Trendforum, visualized by the team of VIEW, showcased Spring/Summer themes, colors, silhouettes, fabrics and must-have items for the season. Even vintage clothes were represented in a special “Best of Vintage” shop where one could buy second-hand clothes, vintage treasures and collector’s items.
The show’s lovely selection of exhibiting companies included clothing, shoes, bags and accessories, all seamlessly coordinated in flower-filled displays. It was a treat to see the adult collections of well-loved children’s wear brands as Oilily and Sticky Lemon. The neon signage at Dutch designer brand Zilch really summed up the Modefabriek Spring/Summer ‘25 experience: COLOR YOUR DAY!
Zilch
Oilily
Rhi James, artist and creator of Hebe Studio, shares her story with Kids á la Mode.
Discovering your art on Instagram several years ago certainly brightened my day! Please tell us how you started your business, and what you did prior to that.
Thank you, that’s so lovely to hear. I went travelling around New Zealand and India when Covid hit, and ended up spending the rest of my money on an emergency flight back home to Australia. I lost all my freelance work (due to Covid), but I was feeling so inspired by my travels I started painting in lockdown and sharing it online. It grew very quickly from there! Before that I was a fashion print designer in London, and had just quit my job to go freelance when we moved to Australia for my now-husband’s work.
Your love of travel is obvious in your paintings. Do you have a favorite country to visit? An especially memorable trip?
Yes, travel is definitely the biggest influence for my paintings. India will always be special to me as it was the trigger for starting the business, and we actually went back this year with my family (although I was 14 weeks pregnant and not feeling my best this time round). Greece has also always been one of my favorite places, in particular Kefalonia, it’s one of the only places I go back to time and time again. I also loved Japan when we went last year! So hard to pick just one favorite.
Where did you grow up? How does living in Australia now influence your work?
I grew up in the Cotswolds in England, lived in London for almost 10 years, but moved to Perth, Australia in 2019. I don’t know if living in Australia influences my work but I do think that if I hadn’t moved, I wouldn’t had had the courage to start my own business.
Rhi James
The colors of your paintings are so clear and luminous. What type of paint do you work with, watercolors, tempera, or oil paint? Do you mix your colors or use them unmixed?
I work with watercolors; I love my Winsor and Newton palette. I sometimes mix a bit of gouache in with the watercolors to get a more saturated color
How do you sell your products? To what countries? Any plans for expanding your sales?
I sell my products through my website and through Etsy and I sell all over the world. I have a pretty big customer base in the US, UK, Europe and Australia which still seems wild to me. I have new things I want to work on to hopefully expand my sales, but also having a newborn might mean that takes a while to implement — ha ha.
Congratulations on the recent birth of your baby girl! Obviously, this was the inspiration for your new collection of paintings, decor and other products for babies. Please tell us all about it.
Thank you! Yes, I loved creating the nursery collection whilst I was pregnant, it was a great way to combine nesting with creating for the business. The reason I started the collection was that I found that all the kids and nursery stuff out there was either very beige/ neutral or a bit too childish for what I was looking for. Not that there is anything wrong with those things, but it wasn’t what I was going for. I created the artworks and milestone cards that I personally wanted to use and I guess hoped that there were other people who would like them too. So far, the response has been really good, which is great!
With Los Angeles being host city for the 2028 summer Olympics, it’s a nice time to get to know this special locale. Photographer Emily Kornya was in L.A. for Glam Z Gala and other events, and she organized an exclusive photoshoot for Kids à la Mode magazine.
rom left to right: Charlotte - Outfit/Hair/Necklace: Tia Cibani, Purse: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, McKenna - Outfit: My Little Cozmo, Hair bow: Halo Luxe, Shoes: Melissa, Ayla - Outfit: Andy & Evan, Hair bow: Halo Luxe, Purse: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Liza - Outfit: Le er to the World, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Bonnie - Outfit: Andy & Evan, Hair clip: Tia Cibani, Purse: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Haven - Outfit: My Little Cozmo, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Laquenna - Outfit/Clip/Scrunchy: Tia Cibani, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals
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Beautiful sunny weather and the laid-back elegance of Rodeo Drive make an ideal setting to showcase Spring/Summer ‘25 fashions. It certainly looks like a fun time was had by all!
From left to right: Haven - Dress: Bonmot, Hair bow: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, McKenna - Outfit: Le er to the World, Shoes: Melissa, Bonnie - Dress: Appaman, Hair bow/Purse: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Laqueena - Outfit: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Ayla - Outfit: My Little Cozmo, Hair bow: Halo Luze, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Liza - Outfit: My Little Cozmo, Purse: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals, Charlotte - Outfit/Hairband: Abel & Lula, Shoes: Salt Water Sandals
Styling by: Emily Kornya
Production by: Glam Z Gala
Showrooms:
AB Spoon: Bonmot,Le er to the World, My Little Cozmo
Lynn Meyers: Abel & Lula
All toys and suitcases by: Oliiella
Hair & Makeup: Haven/Bonnie/Liza by Julia Shugla
Ayla/Charlo e by Kristina Timoshuk McKenna/Laqueena by Aleksandra Ivanova Dog is Kobi
The history of Selini Action, a lovely brand of hand-made children’s swim wear, has all the romance of a fairy tale. When company founder Eleni Balerba was a young girl, she vacationed at the beaches of her homeland, Greece. She began to decorate her own swim wear with the little stones, shells and seaweed she had found. Soon her friends wanted her to do the same for them. Later on, after marrying a sea captain, Eleni and her husband gave tours around the Greek Isles in a typical Greek boat called “Les Enfants de Piree”. They embarked on many adventures and had countless experiences introducing people from everywhere to the gorgeous seas of Greece. Eleni continued to collect little treasures from the beaches and used them to embellish swimsuits. In 1997 she decided to make her creative hobby into a profession, and Selini Action was begun.
Eleni Balerba
To this day, Selini Action is always hand-made in Greece: all the beading, embroidery and detail work is hand-done by women in their homes, and all of the garments are made exclusively in Greece. The unmistakable charm of the brand’s designs often feature fabulous embellishments such as flowers, bows, beads, shells, butterflies, tassels and pom poms. All of the trims are original, exclusive and not available on the market. Other hallmark design elements include crochet, ric-rac, ruffles, polka dot and floral prints. Needless to say, girls of all ages find these creations irresistible!
In addition to swimsuits, the collection also includes caftans, sandals, bags and hats — both cotton and straw. Down to each detail, all accessories are perfectly coordinated to the swim wear. They also offer some women’s swimsuits that match the kid’s styles. In every Selini Action piece one feels the inspiration and connection to the sea, beaches, and flora of the Greek islands that Eleni Balerba uniquely and intimately knows and loves.
