magazine Spring/Summer 2016 Issue 06
The
Flower Issue
Summer is coming. YAY!
Photograph by Binky Nixon
On the cover
Hello!
As the blossom starts to appear and the birds start singing, we are feeling the first flutterings of joyful spring in the air. As much as we love snuggling up in our winter warmers, there’s something super special about throwing on a t-shirt and sandals and playing in the sunshine. So we are celebrating summer in this issue with beautiful flowers, cool sportswear and funky interiors. Plus we look at the spring/summer 16 trends, the cutest baby wear, fantastic toys and must have accessories. We also interview a selection of awesome brands to give you an insight into their background and inspiration behind their ranges. We hope you enjoy our sixth issue of Little Flea Magazine. Lots of Love, Anna
x On the cover Photography: Sharon Cooper Floral crown: The Basement Florist
Contents 8 What’s hot The Summer wish list 16 Flower Power Sharon Cooper photographs our botanical fashion shoot
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Beanie & Bear
We ask Noya of Beanie & Bear how her cool swimwear brand came about
34 Trend Pages What trends are emerging this Summer? 46 Mama Flea We reveal the exciting new addition to Little Flea... 50 The Knockout Binky Nixon shoots our rad sports wear inspired fashion pages 68 What’s new... Accessories We hunt out a selection of gorgeous accessories for the little ones 71 10 of the best... Swimsuits, bikinis and swim shorts 72 Toy Town Super cute toys for super fun play 74 re-be Donna Tweedle interviews re-be to find out about their design process 80
Sunshine Baby
Summertime goodies for babies
Pippa wears green leaf print dress & leggings, Agatha Cub. White flower print sneakers, Step2wo. Photo: Sharon Cooper
82 Ruby Loves In this issue, Ruby hits the skate park in ABC123me’s cool clothing 86 Pippa’s Picks Pippa is in nail heaven when she tries out Miss Nella’s gorgeous nail polish 92 The Gallery Lovely cards and stunning prints for kids 94 Kids Rooms Donna Tweedle styles our interiors shoot. Photographed by Hayley Willis 106 Little Mashers Donna Tweedle asks what’s in the pipeline for this cool brand
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Do you dream big?
Jess from Rosita Lollipop reviews
two inspiring books from her beau tiful store.
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We love...
We pick out a few awesome finds
from the summer collections
Listings page
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Links to all the Little Flea brands 120 Olive Loves Alfie We take a look at this amazing store owned by Ashlyn Gibson
Funky Feet Donkey: Winner mybaba.com favourite product gold award 2016 #mybabahub #funkyfeetfashions
www.funkyfeetfashions.co.uk for funky kids footwear, accessories + much more
www.pandaping.com
What’s hot
What are we lusting after this summer...
Engel The fabulous collection by Engel. includes gorgeous party ware such as colouful bunting, party hats, plates, pom-poms and balloons. They also have a new bag collection. With function and sustainability in mind and drawing inspiration from children and colour, these products are to be enjoyed time and time again. 8
Lapin & Me We have always been a fan of the gorgeous dolls and lamps from Lapin & Me. These fantastic woodland dolls have the cutest little faces and would make the perfect addition to any child’s room. Why not collect them all?
Indikidual The new spring summer 2016 collection by Indikidual is a fun and colourful range of easy to wear pieces that your children will love. Made using 100% organic cotton for ages 3 months to 7 years, your little ones will be able to play all day . Indikidual encourages mixing and matching and layering up in these fabulous unisex pieces.
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Naif NAÏF has babies and kids covered with a new SPF50 Protecting Sunscreen (£14/100ml) that has been expertly formulated for little ones sensitive skin. The preservative-free, mineral-based and ultra-hydrating formula contains natural UV filters that physically deflect the sun’s rays for optimum protection together with the best ingredients nature has to offer and nothing else. Definitely one we’ll be packing on our holidays.
Papu The inspiration behind the summer collection by Papu is of the sweet mess that is left behind after a child’s party! The popcorn, the sausages, the straws... every parent knows the devastation right? It’s a true reflection of the joy and good times had by all. Papu’s range is all about fun; mixing and matching of prints, lots of colours and ease of movement. The perfect clothing to dance in!
Young Soles We can’t get enough of this amazing footwear brand and each collection just gets better and better! The addition of the cute soft baby shoes and the fab sandals mean summer footwear is 10
Beanie & Bear We can’t wait for the sun to appear, not least so we can put on our swimmers and head to the beach. The swimwear of choice has got to be Beanie & Bear. Fabulous fabrics and designs make this the perfect swimwear and whats more all products are ethically sourced and made in Britain. Yay!
Sproet & Sprout This hip, cool and fun collection by Dutch brand Sproet & Sprout brings a touch of the tropics to summer 2016. Cute and funny prints include Tilly the Toucan, Tigo the Tiger and the banana loving monkeys! You’ll find no tropical colours here though as Sproet & Sprout stands for Black and White so the collection is in a simple colour palette of greys, blacks and whites. From age 3mths to 2yrs, these pieces bring style and fun together and we think they’re fab! 11
I dig denim If you’re after simple laid back style and cool denim pieces, then look no further than I dig denim. From babies to big kids , you’ll find cute jumpsuits, casual tees and simple sweats plus a wide selection of denim pieces. This is the go to brand for understated cool.
Knit Planet
The S/S collection by Knit Planet is called “A day in summer”. it captures the best joyful moments of playing in a bright summer day together. Made from the softest 100% organic cotton, this machine washable knitwear is easy to wear, bright, natural and modern.
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Gugguu Gugguu is a Finnish children’s brand producing high quality, comfort and stylish clothing allowing kids to be kids! Gugguu combines simplicity, style, bravely fresh colors and small colorful details in its collection for 0-12 year olds.
Petite Pearl Lowe The wonderfully playful dress up style from Petite Pearl Lowe will make all your fairytale dreams come true. Gorgeous sequins, delicate embelishments and sumptious fabrics marry together to create a truly magical collection. Styles include a Queen of Hearts dress and jester suits!
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Rockahula Kids The new collection from Rockahula Kids includes gorgeous floral necklaces, alice bands, rings, fruity clips, tassles and bags as well as cute summer hats with pompoms all in an icecream palette of pretty pastels.
Darlo Darlo is more than just a super soft organic babywear brand, it also has a serious ethical conscience. It’s founders set up a food program with Mumbai based charity Project Crayons and each sale of a Darlo product provides at least one weeks meals to a child in need in India. So now you can shop and give at the same time! This season introduces the tiger print sleepsuit and we are in love!
My Baby’s Name Is East London brand, My Baby’s Name Is, is a collection of high quality design led sleeping bags for the style conscious parent. The super soft eco-friendly cotton exterior and organic jersey interior means baby’s comfort is paramount while the simple bright and clean colour palette ensures style is at the forefront. Coming in a range of colours and togs, these ethically sourced sleeping bags are a must. 14
Panda and Ping Panda and Ping is a British sleepwear brand that creates beautifully soft pyjamas, bedlinen and blankets in fun and colourful prints. Designed and made in the UK, Panda and Ping use soft and cosy 100% cotton jersey, ecologically sourced from British manufacturers. Their unique prints are all Panda & Ping original designs with colours that are equally appealing to both boys and girls.
Dotty Dungarees These super duper dungarees and dungaree dresses by Dotty Dungarees were started by two friends who wanted to design something long lasting, practical, comfortable and fun. The dungarees have adjustable shoulder straps and rolled up legs so that each pair last a full year. Ingenious! We love that every pair of dungarees or dress has the trade mark dotty fabric. The perfect play all day attire.
Party Ark There is such a huge choice of party goods over at the Party Ark website, from Disney themes to Star Wars and Science parties to Pony parties - you’ll be sure to find something to suit every little boy or girl. We love this new Unicorn range that will make any little dreamers party extra magical. 15
Flower Power Pretty florals or cool botanicals? whichever you choose, you’ll look blooming lovely!
Photos by: Sharon Cooper Styling: Anna Cascarina Make-up: Liza Mead Models: Alfie May & Pippa 16
Alfie May: Pink leaf print playsuit, JETPAQ. Cream lace dress, Ebabee. Pippa: Blue floral ‘Enjoy’ t-shirt, Soft Gallery. Green stripe trousers, Bobo Choses. Floral crowns by The Basement Florist
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Alfie May: Floral dress, No Added Sugar. Blue shoes, Chapter 2. Blue sunglasses, Sons & Daughters at The Mini Edit. Pippa: Green leaf print vest, JETPAQ. Black floral trousers, Molo. Floral sneakers, Step2wo. White sunglasses, Sons & Daughters at The Mini Edit. Bird mobiles, Willa & Bobbin
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Alfie May: Blue chambray suntop and blue floral shorts, Olivier Baby & Kids. Checked sleep mask, Atticus & Gilda. Gold wellies, Hunter at Step2wo. Pippa: Grey floral playsuit, JETPAQ. Blue floral sleep mask, Atticus & Gilda. Silver wellies, Hunter at Step2wo.
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Alfie May: Blue floral long dress, Michiko & Me. Black & cream boots, Chapter 2. Blue necklaces with yellow flower, Rockahula Kids. Pippa: Yellow flower sweatshirt, Doodle Do. Blue leaf print shorts, JETPAQ. Blue pizza espadrilles, Step2wo. Liberty print bird mobiles, Willa & Bobbin. Overleaf: Floral stripe sweat, Molo. Flower crown, The Basement Florist.
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Alfie May: White jumpsuit, Scotch R’Belle. Floral kimono, Michiko & Me. Floral crown: The Basement Florist.
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Alfie May: Floral jumpsuit, Olivier baby & Kids. Red cardigan, Bobo Choses. Blue shoes, Chapter 2. Flower hairclips, Rockahula Kids. Pippa: Grey vest, JETPAQ. Black floral shorts, Soft Gallery. White flower sneakers, Step2wo. Floral headband, Rockahula Kids.
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Pippa: Green leaf print t-shirt, Doodle Do. Pink long skirt, Scotch R’Belle. Floral sneakers, Step2wo. Alfie May: White scalloped top, Olivier Baby & Kids. Green floral bloomers, Michiko & Me. Black and cream shoes, Chapter 2. Socks, stylists own. Floral crowns: The Basement Florist.
Alfie May: Blue spotty dress, No Added Sugar. Blue shoes, Chapter 2. Pippa: Green leaf print dress & leggings, Agatha Cub. White floral sneakers, Step2wo. Liberty print flower bird mobiles, Willa & Bobbin.
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Pippa: Green cactus print sweat, Molo. Mint green knitted pinafore, Doodle Do. Silver wellies, Hunter at Step2wo. Alfie May: Green leaf playsuit, Scotch R’Belle. Pink cashmere cardigan, Olivier Baby & Kids. Gold wellies, Hunter at Step2wo.
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Alfie May: Blue floral dress, Question Everything London. Blue sunglasses, Rockahula Kids. Blue shoes, Chapter 2. Socks, Donna Wilson. Pippa: Green stripe jumpsuit, Bobo Choses. Flower bomber jacket, Molo. Pizza espadrilles, Step2wo. Floral bird mobiles, Willa & Bobbin
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Beanie & Bear
We talk to Noya Bebawi, the founder of the MUST have kids swimwear brand, Beanie & Bear about her background, holidaying in Ibiza and of course, the inspiration behind this fantastic brand. 29
Can you tell us a bit about your background? I started of as a childrens’ Illustrator which was brilliant, but ultimately quite lonely and extremely badly paid, so when the internet kicked off I moved over to illustrating childrens’ websites and ended up designing for the BBC until I had Beanie in 2006. I decided to stay at home
once she came along and go freelance. I think I’d find it hard to go back to a 9-5 after 10 years off! What made you start Beanie & Bear? We spend our summers in Ibiza and Spain as my family live there, and I had one holiday too many looking at badly fitting wet saggy bums! I couldn’t find any swimwear that I really loved and that could go the distance, making it through a summer still looking great and fitting well. By this time Bear had started school and it seems the most natural thing for me to do. My husband Antony takes the photos, the kids model and I do the rest. It is a bit of a juggling act, but it means that I can still illustrate funny little things and play around with pattern and colour - which is heaven for me - and we get to go to really fab places to take the pictures! Win Win! Everybody’s happy! Where does the name come from? Beanie & Bear are the nicknames for our kids. They are the inspiration behind the brand so it
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made complete sense that it should be named after them. Tell us a bit about the products and why they are special? They are fun and happy pieces designed to be loved by parents and their kids alike! They are made from UPF 50+ material, so they keep your kids safe in the sun whilst still looking fab. The fit is great and they are super durable meaning that they last. All our garments are made with a neon trim which helps you spot them a mile off, preventing that lost-child-on-beach moment, which is every parents nightmare! The pieces are all sold separately so kids (and parents!) can really express their individuality and work out what suits them best. We have almost as many girls as boys wearing the shorts with little bikini tops, which was a surprise!
What’s new for spring/summer 2016? We’ve gone a bit rainforest this season, with toucans, butterflies and big tropical flowers! We’ve also got lots of beachy colours and a Japanese inspired wave print. It’s all still sunshine funtime inspired with a whole bunch of neon of course! We have the new PALOMA swimsuit, which I am really excited about. We’ve now got all bases covered. We’ve also included a few colourways in the MILO BUM boxer style shorts that will appeal more to the girls, given they seem to have taken such a shine to them! We can’t wait to see the new collection! Thanks so much to Noya. To see more of the collection visit the Beanie & Bear website
Paloma swimsuit, Milo tropical shorts and Milo yellow shorts. All from the new S/S 16 collection 32
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Leggings & top, Gugguu
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Graphic lines
T-shirt, Raspberry Plum
Grid print t-shirt, Papu
Green padded gilet, Indikidual
Knitted shorts, Doodle Do Socks, Bobo Choses
Ferm Living rug, Lullabuy
Origami birds print, Ingrid Petrie Design Play mat & storage bag, Play & Go
Pyjamas, The Bright Company
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Banana t-shirt & trousers, Sproet & Sprout
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Fruit & Veg Pineapple plate, Party Ark Apple backpack, Engel.
Cherry trousers, Soft Gallery
Watermelon shelf, Lullabuy
Pear light, Rosita Lollipop Aubergine rattle, The Wee Department Store
Shorts, Scotch R’Belle
Strawberry romper, Question Everything London
Fruit skirt, 4funkyflavours Fruit hair clips, Rockahula Kids
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Paint brush tee, skirt & socks, Bobo Choses
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Artistic Vibes
Art college jumper, Bobo Choses
T-shirt with peplum, Soft Gallery
Floaty dress, Lucypeachslice
Yellow bag, Bobo Choses Brush stroke romper, The Wee Department Store
High neck top, Soft Gallery
Cushion, Southwood Stores
Mini Masterpiece set, Party Ark
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Cactus print jacket, Little Indians
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Cool Cacti Tiger and cactus t-shirt, Molo
Cactus tray, Southwood Stores Cactus poster, Lullabuy
Balancing cactus game, Toyella
Cowboy & cactus storage stool, Sally Nencini
Cactus vase, Rosita Lollipop
Cactus baby vest, Indikidual Knitted cactii, Rosita Lollipop
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Fish swimming costume, Amaia Kids
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Water Creatures
Turtle t-shirt, 4funkyflavours
Seal cushion, Lullabuy
Turtle romper, Doodle Do
Octopus cushion, Lullabuy
Lobster t-shirt, Scotch Shrunk
Shark t-shirt, Molo Frog trousers, Doodle Do
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Mama Flea launches We are so excited to announce that the Little Flea website has expanded to include a new section called Mama Flea. In here you will find a whole host of awesome brands especially for those rad Mama’s (and Dada’s, Nana’s, Grandpa’s...) out there! Mama Flea introduces you to ultra cool brands that were made for superstar parents just like you. Read on to discover what brands we are featuring and the story behind each one. Tiba + Marl was created by two London mothers, Anna Tizard and Lydia Barron who spotted a gap in the market for cool, contemporary, trend inspired parent changing bags. With a background in accessory buying and designing, Anna and Lydia set about providing a range of cleverly designed, super functional bags for cool Mums and Dads. Combining modern graphic prints, premium and high tech materials and a heavy dose of style, their award winning collection breaks the mould to give modern parents practical and super stylish bags in unisex designs. Inspired by catwalk and street style, Tiba + Marl, is the go to bag for new parents.
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Mère Soeur is a lifestyle brand dedicated to celebrating motherhood while giving a nod to self-care. Mère Soeur was created with the core belief that positivity, kindness to ourselves and strength in sisterhood makes a difference. Inspired by pop culture, bikes, babes, 70s vibes, the blood sweat and tears we put into the hardest job in the world and the heights we can reach when we support ourselves and each other. From the practical to the purely decorative, all items are designed to encourage and empower mums.
Cult of Youth was created in 2011 by London trained silversmith, Kelly Seymour. Her newest collection was designed during Kelly’s first pregnancy and she was inspired by how becoming a mama made her feel like a superhero! ‘If you can grow a human, you can take on whatever the universe has to throw at you’. Every single Cult of Youth piece is made in the UK, by hand, by Kelly and with custom orders available too, your Cult of Youth jewellery can be tailored just for you!. 47
Don’t Buy Her Flowers sell thoughtful gift packages for new mums and anyone in need of some TLC. Steph Douglas started the business after having her babies and receiving more flowers than she had vases for: ‘People were very kind and generous, but as I sat on the sofa it dawned on me that receiving another thing to care for at this particular time is a bit crackers’. From indulgent truffles and cashmere socks to more practical products like dry shampoo and Thermos mugs, the gifts are ALL about making someone feel loved and looked after. COOK food vouchers can be added to any Don’t Buy Her
Flowers package, giving new parents and anyone feeling below par delicious, prepared food delivered straight to their door.
Designed to appeal to the hoardes of stylish Mums (and Dad’s) now leading the Uk’s blogging and Instagram communities, the collection by Parent Apparel launches with three unisex designs. ‘School Runnings’, ‘Good Yawning’ and ‘Are We There Yet?’. This fresh and vibrant clothing brand is designed by parents for parents who wanted to bring a bit of humour and colour to the everyday challenges of parenting! We love the high quality and slouchy style of the sweats. Perfect for everyday parenting! 48
Hayley Southwood is a mum and a wife and a serial and often accidental entrepreneur. After losing her mum to cancer, she bought a vintage ice-cream van and started Vintage Scoops in 2010. After 3 years, Hayley wanted her weekends back so alongside her photographer friend, started a blog called ‘Breathe Happiness’ which was an instant success. Whilst blogging Hayley was racking her brains trying to come up with another business idea that could draw on the experience and knowledge she had gained. With a passion for styling and a love of the creative world Hayley decided to curate a collection of quirky home-wares and clothing that you couldn’t find on the high street. In August 2013 Hayley announced through her blog that she was going to launch Southwood Stores. With a gorgeous slection of homewear, clothing, jewellery, stationery and kids products, this online store will have you browsing for hours!
So there you have it! Awesome brands for super cool parents! Mama Flea showcases contemporary, quirky, fun and mama friendly brands, with a super fresh cool vibe. Each brand delivers exciting products that offer something a bit different and unique along with a positive message to all new and seasoned mums and dads. We are so excited to welcome every one of these awesome brands to the Mama Flea family and we hope you enjoy browsing through their incredible collections! 49
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The Knock-out
Punch your way into the summer with cool sweats, simple tees and comfy all in ones. This clobber means business! Photography: Binky Nixon Styling : Anna Cascarina Models: Beau and Lauren
Lauren: Black jumpsuit, I dig denim. Stripe headband, Bobo Choses. Beau: Grey & navy t-shirt and grey shorts, Cotton Sparrow.
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Beau: Black slogan tee, Someday Soon. Grey shorts with black running tights attached, Molo. Lauren: Black & white t-shirt, Mainio. Spotty tracksuit bottons, Soft Gallery.
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Beau: Blue bomber jacket and grey shorts, I dig denim. Grey star socks, Molo. Black skate shoes, The Mini Edit. Lauren: Grey hooded short sleeve sweat, Scotch Shrunk. Silver skirt & black star socks, Molo. Silver trainers, Step2wo.
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Lauren: Stripe swimsuit, Bobo Choses. Mint green shorts, Soft Gallery. Beau: Grey net shorts & t-shirt, Someday Soon. Black studded skate shoes, The Mini Edit.
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Lauren: Black & white vest, Mainio. Stripe sweatpants, Bobo Choses. Trainers, New Balance at Step2wo. Beau: Camouflage tracksuit, ABC123me. Grey socks, Molo. Black skate shoes, The Mini Edit
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Lauren: Blue jumpsuit, Cotton Sparrow. Blue cap, The Mini Edit. Beau: Grey sweat vest and black denim shorts, I dig denim. Camo cap, The Mini Edit.
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Lauren: Yellow zip up sweat, Bobo Choses. Pink shorts, Soft Gallery. Trainers, New Balance at Step2wo. Beau: Grey hooded top with black skin layer, Molo. Navy speckled athletics top, Soft Gallery. Yellow long shorts, Mainio
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Beau: White ‘make art not war’ tee, The Fableists. Teal tracksuit bottoms, ABC123me. Lauren: Grey wolf sweat, Soft Gallery. Orange stripe shorts, Bobo Choses. Black star socks, Molo. Trainers, New Balance at Step2wo.
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Lauren: Black jumpsuit, I dig denim. Silver trainers, Step2wo. Green stripe headband, Bobo Choses. Beau: Grey and navy t-shirt and grey shorts, Cotton Sparrow. Black skate shoes, The Mini Edit.
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What’s new?
Leopard print rucksack, Tiba and Marl
Tassle sandals, Young Soles
Pineapple necklace, Pop Cutie
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Russian Blue necklace, A Mini Penny
Pussy cat slippers, Funky Feet Fashions
Gold Egyptian cat, Animalesque
Bear socks, Ebabee
Sandals, Hug & Hatch
..Accessories We’ve cherry picked the cutest accessories for your little ones!
Stripy sleep mask, Atticus & Gilda
Silver star necklace, Velvet Parsnips
Ghettoblaster temporary tattoo, Tattoofab
Elvis boots, Chapter 2
Tights with top to toe terry towelling lining, Braveling
Backpack, Tulipop
Cinammon high tops, Amy & Ivor
Beanie, Elodie Details
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10 of the best...
Surf tee & bottoms, Soft Gallery Bikini top & bottoms, Beanie & Bear
Bikini bottoms, Beanie & Bear
Swimwear Get your surfing vibe on in these cool new swimmers. We’re looking forward to a fun filled summer!
Bikini bottoms, Amaia Kids
Body suit, Molo
Baby swim nappies, Little Bou
Swim shorts, Beanie & Bear
Swimsuit, Molo
Swimming costume, Bobo Choses Swimsuit, Sproet & Sprout
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w o T T y o n Knitted dolls, Sally Nencini
Teddy bear, Bear Good
Bioblo blocks, Toyella 72
Magnetic play clock, Rowen & Wren
Musical mobile, Elodie Details
Lulla sleeping companion doll, Roro
Dumye dolls, Ottie & the Bea
Rain cloud, Moluk at Toyella
From soft knitted dolls to playful puzzles, there’s a world of toys for all ages in the Little Flea Toy Town!
Wooden city, Pinch Toys
Gorby toy, Lullabuy
Baby Oscar & Wanda, Pinch Toys
Mobile, Bisou de Lou
Balance bike, Toyella
Transformbot, Little Lulubel
Puzzle, Tulipop
Isadora & Riceturnip, Noodoll 73
re-be
Anything vintage and home-made has me hook line and sinker. Learning about how re-be take discarded clothes or unwanted fabrics and give them a whole new lease of life, is music to my ears. We spoke to Rebecca, one of the creators of re-be, to learn more about their ethos and design process. Words by Donna Tweedale
Using waste textiles from merchants is such a resourceful idea. Is maintaining this ethical approach to sourcing materials at the soul of re-be? ....Do you get excited with each delivery for what materials you’ll have to work with? It really is! The deeper into the world of upcycling we get the more important it becomes. We could create our deigns using responsibly sourced and ethically produced materials and processes, and we are delighted that more and more de74
Image by Binky Nixon for Little Flea.
Tell us about how you two creatives signers are doing this, but we feel strongcame together to create re-be. ly that for future generations we need to be a bit more like past generations and We first met in our last years at school, use the wealth of gorgeous and beautiand were part of a group of friends who ful fabrics that are already out there. Our have remained very close over the years. fabric focus is cashmere, a glorious, luxBoth of us went off into our own careers, urious fibre that is just too good to be Becca running a successful hotel interior design business whilst I spent some time in the City before retraining and working as a milliner for a well-established London designer and for my own label. The next few years brought children for us both, and a period of illness for Becca. All these factors ended up with both of us living in Bath and looking for a new outlet for our creativity. We played around with several ideas, all driven by our current ‘child-full’ circumstances. Hand-me down clothes and a growing awareness of the world we wanted our children to growup in led us to re-be and a way to create something beautiful from what is already out there, maximizing design but minimizing our impact on the environment.
thrown away because it had a mishap in the washing machine! And yes, we do get very excited when a new delivery arrives. Cashmere really is a very special fabric to work with and it’s very inspiring unpacking each piece and starting to re-imagine it in its new re-be incarnation. Tell us about your design process, Is it a chicken and egg scenario? What comes first to dictate the final outcome; the design or the fabrics? That’s the perfect description of our design process! One of our first and ongoing most successful pieces is our pompom poncho; once we’d cut them we knew we needed to use as much of the leftover fabric as possible so we started to play around with the pieces. Left over arms became our patch-bottom baby trousers; leftover corners and waistbands transformed themselves into the softest Wee Willie Winkie bobble hats and so on. We try and use every scrap, so even if there’s a small hole or mark on the fabric we can cut around it and use it as a piece in our baby booties, or as a square in one of our blankets. Your bespoke heritage range is such a beautiful concept. To have an item of clothing for your child created from a grandparents shirt or a favourite tee. Creating these pieces must give you such a great satisfaction. Where did this idea stem from? Working on the heritage pieces is joyful. It can be very emotional and it’s a real privilege to be asked to create something to pass on from one generation to the next. One of our first commissions was for a newborn baby from a number of her late grandfather’s clothes, ordinary everyday items that his family had photographs and memories of him wearing. We produced a layette for her including a nightshirt to wear at birth, dresses and bloomers for her first and second summers and a little rabbit from the scraps that she’d have forever. As with all things in fashion and design there’s really nothing new in this idea – it’s
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what our grandmothers and their grandmothers did, they used what they had to make something new. The only difference is in our world of plenty it’s not physical necessity we’re meeting by reusing, but something more emotional to tie us to our past.
We’re rethinking our ponchos for summer, and re-working lightweight cotton and linen shirts into kaftans, as well as bringing you a new style pull-on pocketed poncho in our favourite cashmere and neon combos. And we’re working on some new accessories for children (and possibly their mothers, aunts, grannies!) including the From your collection, which are your softest snoods and legwarmers! favourite pieces and why? We love your concept, thank you so I think it has to be our ponchos. Wheth- much for sharing, It’s been a great iner they’re bright and bold in oranges and sight to your brand for us here at Little pinks with turquoise pom-poms or a lit- Flea. We’re looking forward to seeing tle more understated in navy and greys, the new accessories you’re working they make us and it seems everyone who on, It sounds like re-be is heading in an wears them smile and they are a brilliant- exciting direction! ly versatile piece that can be worn with anything from a party dress to jeans to You can find some wonderfully unique pyjamas! pieces for your little ones at re-be. The cashmere booties and hat sets are simAnd lastly, What can we expect to see ply adorable and available in so many from re-be next season? colour ways, they would make the perfect gift for any new arrival.
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Sunshine baby Your baby is gonna look super cute this summer with our pick of the best goodies for the little ones.
Bird mobile, Willa & Bobbin
Tiger romper, Sproet & Sprout
Sunsuit, Olivier Baby & Kids
Cutlery set, Tulipop
Set of 3 Kawaii bibs, Whistle & Flute Elephant, Pinch Toys
Teething necklace and dummy clip, Rosita Lollipop
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Hand knitted romper, Waddler
Orange all in one, Gugguu
Cot bumber, Lulu & Nat
Sleeping bag, My Baby’s Name Is
Highchair, Lullabuy
Unicorn baby gro, Elfie London
Bib, Scamp
Jungle Om-sie, Om Baby
Knitted cardigan, Sophie Ochera
Baby gift set, Little Mashers
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Ruby Loves
The cool unisex style and simple design of ABC123me clothing is perfect for Ruby’s laid back style. Check out her pick of the season from this rad brands new collection.
ABC123me make fuss free, clean line, carefully considered clothing in beautiful colours. Their clothes are super soft and low on branding but high on style, ease and wearability. Based in London this cool brand create unisex clothing that is made to wash and tumble without bobbling or fading. Ruby loves the colours and simple design of the clothing and says they’re super comfortable too. Her favourite piece is the parka with the cute green zip and spacious fit.
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Ruby Loves
Green stripe long sleeve tee, ÂŁ25
Ruby loves the colour palette too. Lots of green, grey, teal, purple and cream with plenty of her favourite colour, Khaki!
For more information on ABC123me and to buy, visit their website 84
Green distressed sweatshirt, ÂŁ35
“ABC123me clothes are really comfy and the colours are great too!”
Green Parka, £110 & holey t-shirt £20
The parka is ideal for Spring. It is fully lined but light and has extra roomy pockets and a lovely big hood. The
bright green zip was a big hit too! The verdict: Super soft and comfy clobber mixed with fab colours and a clean design = a big YES from Ruby! 85
Pippa’s Picks
”I love Miss Nella because the colours are lovely and the polish peels off really easily!” 86
Pippa was super excited to try out these fab nail polishes by Miss Nella. Easy to apply and just as easy to take off again, these non toxic, water based nail colours mean lots of dress up fun for kids! All kids love to play dress up, apply make-up and just have a go at being a grown up, but sometimes it’s difficult for us parents to know which products are safe to use. These fab nail polishes by Miss Nella are made expecially for little ones and come in a rainbow of beautiful colours. The revolutionary formula peels off nails, making harsh nail polish remover a thing of the past. Unlike most nail polishes, the Miss Nella nail polish has a water-based formula, making it temporary and ideal for children. You can choose single polishes, £5.99 or you can select your favourite colours in a mini pack, £15 or a 6 pack, £24.99. Pippa tried out the 6 pack consisting of a range of delicious colours. Much to her delight, the packaging also folds out to reveal a fantastic design to colour in. She had such fun trying out all the colours. Read on to find out.
Miss Nella
Pippa’s Picks
In between trying all the colours, Pippa easily peeled off the nail polish to reveal clean nails with no residue or stainage. It left purely clean nails in order to start applying the next colour. Pippa decided to keep on the Jazzberry Jam for the rest of the day and had a great time colouring in the inside of the 6 pack packaging. Pippa’s verdict? Huge smiles all round! Miss Nella is a big hit.
Blue Bell
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Cherry Macaroon
Jazzberry Jam
Poppy Fields
Sun Kissed
Mermaid Blue
For information on Miss Nella products and to buy, take a look on their website
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This could be your brand!
Would you like to advertise in our next issue? Get in touch for our media pack. hello@littleflea.co.uk
The Gallery Poster, Ingrid Petrie Design
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Poster, Noodoll
Poster, Lullabuy
Poster, Lullabuy
Poster, Ingrid Petrie Design
Card, Ava und Yves
Card, Showler & Showler
Poster, Lisa Jones
Card, Noodoll
The cutest cards to send to your friends and beautiful art to hang on your walls!
Poster, Showler & Showler
Poster, Ingrid Petrie Design
Poster, Lisa Jones
Card, Lisa Jones
Poster, Showler & Showler
Poster, Lullabuy
Poster, Ava und Yves
Card, Little Lulubel
Poster, Tulipop
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Kids Rooms From cushions, toys and prints, we have your kids rooms sorted!
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Photography: Hayley Willis Stylist: Donna Tweedle for where to buy, see page 103 95
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Where to buy • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Big Fox £65.00, Donna Wilson. Diamond Play & Go Mat £24.95, Play & Go. Lollipop Print Bag €24.95 & Felt Confetti Garlands €13.95, Engel. Woodland Doll £15.95, Lapin & Me. Mustard Party Hat £18.00, Elfie. Elephant Print Quilt £48.00 & Polar Bear Cushion £17.00, Lulu & Nat. OMM Robot Nesting Dolls £14.50, The Kid Who. Sleeping Unicorn Cushion £20.00, Love Frankie. Fox Cub Clock £25.00, Lisa Jones Studio. Cactus Print £15.00, Ingrid Petrie Design. Pencil Print and Moon Print £15.00 each, Showler & Showler. Small Albino Whale £55.00, Big Stuffed. Flying Journey Wallpaper £70.00, Sas & Yosh. Vintage Floral Pom Pom Lampshade £38.00, Love Frankie. Circus Of Wonders Black Fabric - price on request, Sas & Yosh. Yellow Diamond Pendant Light £25.00, Love Frankie. Striped Fox Cushion £28.00, Love Frankie. Hand Made Merino Wool Felt Slippers £30.00, Dark Grey Hand Stitched Quilt £81.00, Knitted Merino Wool Blanket £65.00 & House Cushion £36.00, Camomile London. Fabric Ball €49.00, Dreamcatcher €22.00, Kite €22.00, Bisou De Lou. Large Whale £65, Big Stuffed. Wooden Croc Stacking Blocks £38.00, Rowen and Wren. Cat & Mouse Lambswool Cushion £55.00, Sally Nencini. Down The Rabbit Hole Print £40.00, Sas & Yosh. Mint Origami Lamp £29.99, Rosita Lollipop. Pug Candle £12.00, Lola Beau Design. Wild West Lambswool Blanket £65.00, Sally Nencini.
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Be a kinder mum Bioserie baby toys aren’t plastic. Yet they look and behave just like plastic. kinder on baby and kinder on the planet without making any practical compromises.
Visit www.four.toys for more information and stockists
Little Mashers
Little Mashers have a vast range of products of clothes, books and accessories that bring real interactivity to the table. Your little ones.. or not so little ones, can have their say in their outfit. Quite literally! We spent some time chatting with Clare of Little Mashers to hear all about how the idea is developing through their collection. Words by Donna Tweedale
At our studio in Walthamstow we like to experiment with colour, shapes, textures and ink and we thought a chalkboard t-shirt would be a fun idea for kids. After doing a bit of research and experimenting we came up with the Chalk and Tees - (a play on chalk and cheese) - whereas you wouldn’t normally put the two together). It was pretty successful straight away as we launched it in the Oct so it was seen as a great Xmas gift. An item that kids could write and draw what they think. We had a chalkboard wall a few years ago in our house, the kids were obsessed! ... So how did your idea grow Our first range was pretty small but as to bring this concept onto other prod- they grew in popularity we extended the range to include almost 25 designs. We ucts for children? now do adult sizes on request. As the With a lot of our products we want to chalkboard t-shirts were so well received emphasise the fun element for kids and we looked at extending our range into have a more interactive element to some books. As I have a background in graphof our clothes/gifts rather than it just sim- ics /illlustration I had always liked the ply being an item of clothing. We want a idea of designing a book for kids. With playfulness to our range, as we don’t see the I love…. and Travel books they are really simple interactive books that can be ourselves as a fashion brand at all. 106
drawn on again and again. We have samples in the shop for the kids to draw on and they get plastered with writing and drawing each week which is great. I think they have been washed so many times I’ve lost count! They appeal to kids of all ages from toddlers to 7-8 yr olds. I’ve even caught the odd adult having a crafty draw. We are currently designing new titles in this series. As well as the t-shirts and books our chalkboard range now includes, placemats, and our new chalkboard blow football mat, complete with chalks, straws, balls and trophy! There is a clear food influence within your products, Is children's involvement in food something you’re particularly passionate about? Originally when we started the brand, our
kids were very young and we had an allotment. We thought it would be fun to create characters that kids could relate to and to help with the constant worry of getting your kids to eat healthily. Our Junior Masher Chef set range was designed to promote this. We saw it as a way to help kids gain an interest in food and cooking through role-play and by encouraging them to get involved at mealtimes. Your involvement in creating your pieces extends to screen printing tee's yourselves and keeping production here in the UK. How important is it to you to maintain an ethical homegrown product? This is very important, when we initially come up with ideas we like to experiment and iron out any design/colour problems. By keeping the majority 107
of our production within the UK we can oversee any quality issues, and make sure it’s exactly how we want it to be (I am a control freak). With large orders we will outsource but we are very careful to ensure quality is maintained throughout. All our materials (ie cotton panels), bags and packaging are also sourced/printed within the U.K. It means we can keep things pretty tight, with shorter orders and quick turnaround, so we don't have to outlay huge costs for massive orders, which we may or may not sell. This way we can pretty much produce to order with larger orders outsourced if needed. We have a great company that we use for some of our products (especially the Chalkboard book) as it’s so much easier and cheaper to do it that way. I’ve heard so many horror stories where production is poor or very slow and has cost brands dearly. Your cute Frame and Speechmark Sweaters are so effective, what a great way to let children have a creative input into their own style, Where does the inspiration for each design stem from? The Frame t-shirt was specifically aimed at the Tate Modern. We really wanted them to stock our products as we felt it would be relevant in terms of promoting creativity in kids, so I designed a specific t-shirt for them. A frame was an obvious choice, where kids could fill in their own masterpiece or drawing that had inspired them, or one of their own creations. I sent them a sample with information on our t-shirts and they placed an order with us. The speech bubble was designed with the older age range of kids in mind. We thought it would be fun if each day the t-shirt was worn, the wearer could write what they were feeling or what they wanted to say. This was especially fun in terms of our teenage market, we have 108
had some messages sent in that are hilarious, from a simple “Its my birthday” or “I love you,” to slightly more ermm. Imaginative! The workshops you organise sound so fun! Tell us more about them.. We run regular workshops from our studio or onsite at events. The workshops we run within the studio are generally more in depth and we will get the kids to work along a specific theme. For example in Walthamstow there is an annual art trail with a theme for each year. This year it was “Storytelling”. The kids who came to our workshop had to illustrate a favourite book of theirs and then print it using a stencil technique with up to four colour screen printing. With the screen printing they get to know each process from initial design to finished product. The kids get so excited when they print their design onto a t-shirt/bag, panel etc and they see the design coming together. At the end of this workshop we exhibited all of the images as part of the art trail and even held a private view for all the kids with snacks and fruity cocktails! Other workshops are ran off site at specific places or events. These workshops are generally less intensive. Kids and adults are invited to personalise an existing design of ours and print it in one colour (normally in chalkboard ink) onto a t-shirt, bag or tea towel. Such events include, The Big Draw, Walthamstow Garden Party, Apple Days etc. What plans are afoot for Little Mashers in 2016? We have pretty big plans for 2016. The biggest being moving out of London! After 25 years of living here we fancy a change and as we are so autonomous we feel we can move pretty much anywhere, without it affecting our business. As a
lot of our orders are wholesale / online I think it’s not so important being in London anymore and have always hankered after living by the sea. We are moving to St Leonards, Hastings and have purchased a studio/shop down there. There is plenty of space to continue product experimentation, run workshops and operate a shop/gallery space. In terms of product development we are looking at increasing the chalkboard range, introducing more gift ideas like our brand new Tee Light, A T-Shirt you can draw on with light (launching very soon), as well as posters and cards.
The Light Tee sounds so fun; We'll keep our eyes peeled for them! You can find so much variety in the Little Mashers range. Great ideas for your kids to inject their own individuality into their style. Visit the Little Mashers website to see the full range.
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Young Soles
SPRING / SUMMER 2016
www.youngsoles.co.uk ©2016. All rights reserved Young Soles. Photography by Flannery O’Kafka.
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Jess Princeton, owner of Rosita Lollipop is a great lover of books. Her little shop of wonders includes many fantastically unique and beautifully illustrated books that she has sourced from all over the world. Her little shop of wonders is an emporium of fabulous gifts, clothing and jewellery for both adults and kids and can be found tucked away in the beautiful market town of Hitchin. You can also find Rosita Lollipop online. Jess reviews a couple of the books in store and asks the question, ‘Do you dream big’? Read on to discover more... As children’s books are as much about their illustrations as they are about content, I’m often guilty of being immediately drawn to the style of illustration on the front cover and how it relates to the subject, or title. Naturally, a cover may stand out if its overall presentation has a great bit of art and fabulous title and font that all capture the reader’s interest and imagination. So judging a book by 112
its cover encompasses the literary as part of the overall visual eye candy. This being said, although Young Charlotte Filmmakerappealed to me instantly through its artwork, it was this art work and the title that had me looking past the front cover as I love film and found it appealing that the main character is female. I had a feeling this might be an inspirational story! The colours go from sober to
Rosie Revere Engineer is even more inspirational in its poetic language. Through its lilt; it’s rhythmic rhyming phrases will have you savouring every line and anticipating the next. A wonderful device for engaging a young audience. From an aesthetic point of view, who doesn’t love grid paper and beautiful DaVinci-esque style sketches! The message to try and try again is reiterated throughout the book and beautifully summarised and chimed in, “Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only true failure can come if you quit.”
black and white with a bright splash of coral pink here and there for effect. It may appeal to the adult reader that in a male dominated film industry, Charlotte the girl, succeeds as a filmmaker. But without making gender the issue in this story, this tale is more about These are two great books that will making decisions based on what you keep you and your child dreaming big! love, and that although others may not Enjoy! agree, for whatever their reasons may Words by Jess Princeton be, if we pursue our dreams honestly and wholeheartedly the world has a place for us and for them. What I also love about this book is that it presents an opportunity to introduce your child to black and white cinema and help develop their taste for a new aesthetic, surely something a little different than what they may be used to.
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We love... We love... The fantastic range of products and personalised gifts from Scamp. With Mother’s Day coming up this laser cut wooden picture, might just be the most perfect gift. Other items include gorgeous wooden flowers, book marks, mobiles, keyrings as well as lovely cotton bibs and sleepsuits for babies.
We love... The gorgeous new sparrow print from Panda and the Sparrow. With a simple colour palette of white and grey, this cute design is perfect for little ones. This super soft sleepsuit and blanket will keep your little one snug as a bug and the collection also includes a hat and body t-shirt. Love! We love... The amazing new Cub Bags. This fantastic changing bag comes complete with a changing mat and also doubles up as a feeding pillow and carry support so is perfect for out and about with your baby. Made of faux suede, the bag is waterproof, machine washable and hypoallergenic and comes in a variety of colours. With plenty of space inside and roomy pockets, we think you’re gonna love it! Click here to enter our giveaway to win a blue linen Cub Bag worth £169. 114
We love... This gorgeous selection of lamps from Lullabuy. Ultra cute and perfect for a baby’s nursery or an older child’s room, the lamps make the ideal lighting for bedtime. Lullabuy stocks lamps by Lucky Boy Sunday, Ferm Living, April Eleven and House of Clouds. As well as these super cool ones by A Little Lovely Company.
We love... The always beautiful collection from Elfie London. Cute stripes, checks, ruffles and florals create a nostalic range of stunning clothing and accessories for girls, boys and babies. Our favourite is this cute pinafore and stripy baby dungarees.
We love... The gorgeous jewellery for kids by A Mini Penny. The cutest porcelain ballerinas, unicorns, dinosaurs, rabbits and many more hang on either 18ct gold chains or cord making them a gorgeous gift for any child. Our fave is this stunning Pegasus complete with coloured wings and a gold star. Want!
We love...The gorgeous holiday cottages at Barsham Barns. A selection of beautiful barns in Norfolk with stunning interiors sleeping from 2 to 17! Situated close to the Norfolk Coast and Norfolk Broads, The 5 barns can even be booked together to sleep up to 48! Perfect for large family gatherings or parties.
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We love... The most beautiful prints and softest cashmere from gorgeous label, Olivier Baby & Kids. From stunning floral rompers and dresses and cool shirts and shorts to soft cashmere jumpers, cardigans and accessories. These pieces are a touch of pure heaven!
We love... The adorable collection by Amaia Kids. Including stunning dresses, shirts, bloomers & trousers all with a hint of nostalgia. This is beautifully made clothing fit for Royalty. No wonder little Prince George is a fan!
We love... The amazing range of Dumye Dolls from Ottie & the Bea. The collection includes a limited edition range, a petite range and a doll making kit which houses a blank organic cotton doll and all the fabrics and accessories you need to produce your very own customised doll. We are so in love with these stunning creations. 116
We love... The ultra soft and comfy Smalls merino collection. Simple layers that keep your little ones cool in summer and warm in winter. Classic designs that any child will love to wear. Superb!
We love... The super cute range of clothing and accessories from Annaliv. A beautiful range of soft cotton and soft chambray with influences from the designers Scandinavian heritage. This summer’s collection of knapsacks in soft colours are a must!
We love...The fabulous party kits from Feather Grey Parties. With everything you need for 12 guests from plates, straws, party bags, cups, balloons, napkins and even knives and forks. Feather Gvrey ensures your kiddies party will go down a treat! Other kits include baking kits, Mad Hatter kits, Baby Shower kits plus many more. 117
Cult of Youth D
Darlo Don’t Buy Her Flowers
find us on Little Flea
Dotty Dungarees Doodle Do E
Elfie London Elodie Details Engel.
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4 Funky Flavours
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Funky Feet Fashions
Abc123me Amaia A Mini Penny Amy & Ivor
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Gugguu
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Hug & Hatch
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I dig denim
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Animalesque
Indikidual
Annaliv
Ingrid Petrie Design
Atticus & Gilda
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JETPAQ
Ava & Yves
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Karen Brost
Barsham Barns
Kate Hopewell Smith
Beanie & Bear
Knit Planet
BearGood
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Feather Grey
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Lapin & Me
Binky Nixon
Lilly et Louis
Bisou de Lou
Lilly + Sid
Bobo Choses
Lisa Jones
Braveling
Little Bou
Camomile London
Little Indians
Chapter 2
Little Lulubel
Cotton Sparrow
Little Mashers
Cub Bag
Lola Beau Design
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Lullabuy
Re-be
Lulu & Nat
Rockahula
Macarons
Roro
Mainio
Rosita Lollipop
Mere Soeur
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Sally Nencini
Miss Nella
Sas & Yosh
Moluk
Scamp
My Baby’s Name Is
Scotch Kids
Naif
Showler & Showler
Noodoll
Sharon Cooper
Olive Loves Alfie
Smalls
Olivier Baby & Kids
Sophie Ochera
Om baby
Southwood Stores
Ottie and the Bea
Sproet & Sprout T
Stylish Parties
Panda and the Sparrow
Tattoofab
Papu
Tiba & Marl
Parent Apparel
Toyella
Party Ark
The Bright Company
Pearl Lowe
The Fableists
Pinch Toys Piupia
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Tulipop
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Velvet Parsnips
Play & Go
Waddler
Pop Cutie
Whistle & Flute
Quack Quack Moo R
Rowen & Wren
Minimondos
Panda & Ping
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Question Everything Raspberry Plum
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Olive loves Alfie
Olive Loves Alfie is a children’s store in London selling a handpicked selection of imaginative childrens clothing, home-wares, toys and games. With a background in fashion, founder Ashlyn Gibson ran her own label in the 80s and went on to become the Creative Director for Footwear at Britains iconic label ‘Red or Dead’. Travelling around the world has resulted in an address book full of inspiring shops, galleries and flea markets around the world. So putting all her ideas and knowledge together along with the inspiration of new family life, Ashlyn turned her focus in a different direction and opened Olive Loves Alfie. Olive Loves Alfie is a store with a difference as all the products must qualify by their quality and design to have hand me down potential, or to become modern heirlooms. With an exciting selection of home-wares, women’swear and bespoke artist collaborations, it has become the destination family lifestyle store. Olive Loves Alfie has grown into so much more than just a store. Ashlyn regularly holds creative events for children as well as helping designers develop their ideas on a consultancy basis. Ashlyn now has two stores. One in Stoke Newington, N16 and the recently opened Olive Loves Alfie East in E20 near the Olympic Village and Westfield shopping centre.
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If you can’t make it in to a store, Olive Loves Alfie can also be found online here. 121