CWB Schoolwear

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November/December 2013

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37: News 38: Cut your losses Transforming the traditional name tag into a Smart Tag using QR Technology 40: Innovative add-ons for school School accessories with a little added extra 41: Fitting into the schoolwear sector AlvaKids – the UK’s first mobile and online application to help consumers buy “best fit� schoolwear

MARATHON SCHOOL SUPPLIES

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November/December 2013

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Kathryn Shuttleworth has been appointed commercial director for leading school uniform and sportswear supplier David Luke.

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Over the last 12 years, Shuttleworth has built up extensive, first-hand experience of the company’s various departments. For the last four years, she has been based in the finance department. While retaining those responsibilities, she has most recently been working alongside David Luke’s sales director, Richard Moody.

Independent schoolwear retailer Brenda’s is relocating its Farnborough shop in the New Year.

Established in 1949, the business, which has two stores, is merging into one premises. Brenda’s Farnborough, therefore, is closing to be amalgamated into the retailer’s much larger – and more spacious – Camberley store.

Due for completion on 2 January 2014, the Camberley store will provide increased stock-holding capacity, two spacious custom-designed floors, eight changing rooms, four till points and customer parking to the front and rear.

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Despite retiring, in order to ensure she remains part of company policy decisions going forward, Mary Fawcus will adopt the role of non-executive director, assigning one to two days per week to Blue Max Banner business development and customer liaison.

Blue Max Banner will remain a family business at heart, with Fawcus’ husband David continuing in his full-time role as Blue Max Banner chief executive, her daughter as purchasing director, and her son-in-law continuing to manage the marketing and export side of the business.

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Utilising her overview of the business, Shuttleworth’s initial tasks as commercial director are overseeing an upgrade to the company’s computer system and developing the David Luke Eco range, including stock flow and planning for demand.

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Building on its activewear range for adults, fitness brand Spiro has launched a junior range for school PE lessons.

Using the same highly engineered performance fabrics as the adult collection, the children’s range offers wicking and windproof properties, and is held in stock all-year-round.

Nottingham school uniform and sportswear supplier Price & Buckland is teaming up with SPC Printers to kit out the GB Freestyle Kayak Team in its latest range, PB Sport.

Garments available include a lightweight, Junior Quick Dry T-shirt with performance-base layer available in sizes 5-6 years to 11-12 years, with matching Junior Bodyfit Base Layer Shorts in a micro-stretch soft athletic fabric. To complete the look is the Junior Skort. Available in black or navy in sizes 5-6 to 11-12 years, it offers an alternative to traditional sports skirts and gym pants and includes a reflective Spiro print logo.

Initially looking for knitwear for a local school, Kevin Parsons, director of SPC Printers, was so impressed with the samples from Price & Buckland, which included its new sportswear PB Sport, that he subsequently presented them to the GB Freestyle Kayak Team.

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Price & Buckland has provided 24 kits to the team, consisting of a new sport tracksuit top and bottoms, as well as matching polo shirts, all decorated with the Team GB logo.

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November/December 2013

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Each set of Smart Tags carries the user’s own individually designed QR code, specific to

them. On registering contact details, an individual QR code is automatically generated and the Smart Tags are processed.

Lost items bearing a Smart Tag can then be scanned, and an automatic email notification and/or SMS text is delivered to the registered owner. In terms of cost, the end user pays for the number of Smart Tags they need, and included in this price are the first 10 SMS text notifications. If the 10 SMS texts are used, further texts can be purchased.

However, all email notifications are free of charge and the system is free for the affiliate to use.

continues. “The system is browser-based, free for the school to use, and we provide the necessary hand scanner. We also make a donation of ÂŁ1 to the school for every pupil that signs up, and therefore we are also able to contribute financially towards the schools in our community. We recently donated ÂŁ385 to Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, for instance, which subsidised a new set of goalposts.â€?

“In essence, we have updated the traditional school name tag to a Smart Tag using QR technology while also utilising a polymer-based material,� says company director Gareth Davies, who joined Find My Kit in April 2013. “The result is an extremely durable name tag – a similar process to that employed by Nike and Disney for labelling purposes.

On purchasing Smart Tags, parents register their contact details with Find My Kit. When a lost item is found by an affiliate of the network – be that the child’s school, a train or bus company, a sports club or, more commonly, another school after a sporting fixture – it is scanned. An automatic email and or SMS message is then sent to the parent advising them of the lost item, the location and point of retrieval. This means, therefore, that Find My Kit has to establish a wide network of affiliates, beyond schools, to further secure chances of recovering lost items.

“We currently offer the Smart Tag in both iron-on and sticker format, but we also have keyrings and bag tags available, too,� he

“Of course, a high percentage of property is lost while travelling to and from school, so our relationships with local bus companies

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November/December 2013

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 

   

and sports clubs enhance the potential for retrieval,” says Davies. “It also solves the issue for those companies, too, who can tailor their personal message so items can be picked up within a certain time frame.”

Find My Kit currently has 35 schools and organisations signed to its service – that’s 2,000 users resulting in 400,000 tags potentially in circulation – and it is in conversation with a further 43. Cost is a huge issue in schools. But, as the service is free for affiliates to use, and the tags themselves are no more expensive than the traditional on a tag-for-tag basis, the main stumbling block for Find My Kit so far has been attaining the right contacts within the schools to promote the product. Once connected with the right people, however, the company has experienced a reassuring 95 per cent take-up of the system.

In terms of growth for the business going forward, Find My Kit is actively targeting schoolwear independents to offer Smart Tags as a bolt-on product in-store and promote the service within their client base on a commission-per-pack-sold basis. Davies sees this as the quickest route-to-market, with the retailers having established often long-standing relationships with their schools. Essentially, the retailers already have a foot in the door.

“We are engaged in several conversations with independent outfitters at the moment, one of which is Ian Margetson of The Schoolwear Centre in Margate, which is about to offer our Smart Tags in-store. We feel this structure is the least complicated and, given the relationships, he has already established within 75 schools, it will give us penetration of the market that would take us several months to achieve.”

Having designed and manufactured tags for the next generation, taking the traditional name tag and developing it into a Smart Tag, the next move for the company is launching a Find My Kit app. This will extend the service further by allowing an “authorised” individual, for example the head coach of a local Judo club, access to scanning, thereby greatly increasing the points of “retrieval”.

For security reasons, only registered organisations are able to scan the tags and, if scanned by a member of the public, they will be directed to Find My Kit’s homepage.

Undoubtedly, school children have more high-value belongings on their person than they may have done in past generations,

therefore raising the need, in some cases, for a more “high-tech” and reliable system for retrieving belongings. The son of Find My Kit’s co-founder Andrew Britton, in fact, lost a school blazer containing keys – both locker and house – his catering card, bus pass and, unbeknown to his sister, her iPod. It is a clear example of how the cost of lost school belongings can escalate easily beyond the cost, in this instance, of a replacement blazer, to all the added cost related to items in the blazer. Equally, given the prevailing economic climate, it was very apparent to Davies that today’s financial constraints mean replacing lost items is becoming more difficult for parents and, in some cases, parents are unable to replace items, with children having to “go without”.

Find My Kit’s answer to the next generation’s lost property problems is, therefore, the Smart Tag. www.findmykit.com

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November/December 2013

ď€œď€€ď€†ď€‡ď€…ď€„ď€‰ď€ƒď€ˆď€€ď€œ

ď€ƒď€Šď€‚ď€›ď€—ď€€ď€•ď€‘ď€Œď€’ď€€ď€”ď€?ď€€ď€—ď€Œď€?ď€”ď€”ď€“ď€€ď€‹ď€Œď€Œď€Žď€—ď€—ď€”ď€–ď€‘ď€Žď€—ď€€ď€™ď€‘ď€˜ď€?ď€€ď€‹ď€€ď€“ď€‘ď€˜ď€˜ď€“ď€Žď€€ď€‹ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€€ď€Žď€šď€˜ď€–ď€‹ď€

WILLIAM TURNER

ONYA BAGS Onya Bags’ reusable lunch bag, Onya Lunch, is made from recycled bottles and comes in a choice of five colours. Complete with a name window and a Velcro fastener, Onya Lunch offers a waste-free and sustainable alternative to cling film or tin foil and also doubles up as a mat to eat over. It is adjustable and will accommodate both large and small lunches. www.onyabags.co.uk

William Turner is the manufacturer and distributor of the Backcare Active Backpack, which is the only bag endorsed by BackCare, the charity researching children’s back health.

Designed with back protection in mind with its patented, curved underside, the Backcare Active Backpack helps spread the load, with ergonomic carrying straps, a lightweight profiled back panel and carrying advice printed internally. The backpack, which comes in sizes small and large, is available from stock in black and navy and is suitable for print and embroidery. For every bag sold, a contribution goes to BackCare. www.unicol-schoolwear.co.uk

TOUGHEES Toughees’ non-polish leather school shoes take the effort out of caring for footwear due to a coating that provides extra protection and shine, requiring just a wipe with a damp cloth to keep the shoes shiny. Manufactured in South Africa since 1954 and introduced to the UK market four years ago, the mid-priced leather school footwear brand currently sells more than four million pairs of school shoes a year. Toughees is distributed in the UK by New Brands. www.newbrandslimited.co.uk

STAMPTASTIC Stamptastic offers a new solution to labelling school uniform, sportswear and belongings with an easy-to-use, personalised name stamp that can be accurately positioned and printed on any surface including fabric, wood, plastic or metal. Stamptastic stamps can be personalised with names up to 22 letters long, and the ink is designed to endure repeated washing, wear and tear. Intended as a one-off purchase, each stamp and ink pad is designed to last for years. www.stamptastic.co.uk

CARIBEE Caribee’s Ice Breaker school bag includes a host of useful features including a cooler compartment in the front pocket to keep sandwiches fresh and drinks cool, and a Predator whistle for added safety. Constructed to withstand the rough and tumble of daily school life, the bag also has an action back extreme harness system, an organiser panel and a dedicated audio pocket with cord port. www.caribee-uk.com

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ď€§ď€€ď€‰ď€…ď€ˆď€‡ď€‰ď€‹ď€€ď€§

ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€™ď€Žď€‘ď€›ď€¤ď€œď€€ď€‘ď€?ď€?ď€•ď€™ď€˜ď€€ď€™ď€’ď€€ď€?ď€? ď€? ď€ ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€›ď€‘ď€–ď€€ď€œď€•ď€Łď€•ď€˜ď€“ď€€ď€?ď€˜ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€&#x;ď€?ď€˜ď€™ď€˜ď€€ď€–ď€?ď€žď€˜ď€?ď€?ď€? ď€?ď€&#x;ď€‘ď€–ď€™ď€šď€—ď€‘ď€˜ď€?ď€?ď€œď€€ď€„ď€–ď€&#x;ď€?ď€?ď€œď€€ď€?ď€šď€šď€ ď€€ ď€?ď€&#x;ď€?ď€‘ď€œď€€ď€œď€•ď€Łď€•ď€˜ď€“ď€€ď€›ď€‘ď€?ď€™ď€—ď€—ď€‘ď€˜ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€•ď€™ď€˜ď€œď€€ď€’ď€™ď€›ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€›ď€‘ď€˜ď€¤ď€œď€€ď€?ď€?ď€”ď€•ď€˜ď€“ď€€ď€™ď€˜ď€–ď€•ď€˜ď€‘ď€€ď€™ď€› ď€•ď€˜ď€‚ď€œď€?ď€™ď€›ď€‘ď€ƒď€€ď€†ď€˜ď€™ ď€˜ď€€ď€?ď€œď€€ď€„ď€–ď€&#x;ď€?ď€?ď€œď€€ď€’ď€™ď€›ď€€ď€Šď€?ď€”ď€™ď€™ď€–ď€€ď€Œď€˜ď€•ď€’ď€™ď€›ď€—ď€œď€ ď€€ď€?ď€”ď€•ď€œď€€ď€–ď€?ď€?ď€‘ď€œď€?ď€&#x;ď€‘ď€›ď€œď€•ď€™ď€˜ď€€ď€™ď€’ď€€ď€?ď€”ď€‘ď€€ď€œď€‘ď€›ď€&#x;ď€?ď€‘ď€€ď€•ď€œď€€ď€?ď€”ď€‘ď€€ď€Œď€†ď€¤ď€œď€€ď€’ď€•ď€›ď€œď€? ď€šď€”ď€™ď€˜ď€‘ď€€ď€?ď€˜ď€?ď€€ď€™ď€˜ď€–ď€•ď€˜ď€‘ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€?ď€•ď€™ď€˜ď€€ď€?ď€?ď€™ď€˜ď€œď€žď€—ď€‘ď€›ď€œď€€ď€Ľď€Žď€žď€˘ď€€ď€Žď€‘ď€œď€?ď€?ď€Śď€€ď€œď€? ď€?ď€›ď€ƒď€€ The new schoolwear app from global apparel sizing and fit expert Alvanon is the result of years of research worldwide into real human shapes and sizes. Most recently, the company analysed the 3D body shape scans of 2,500 children aged between four and 17 in England, Scotland and Wales as part of the Shape GB children’s sizing survey, a collaborative project with survey specialist Select Research. This data, combined with Alvanon’s existing database of UK children’s body scans, has enabled the company to develop its AlvaKids app for school uniforms.

The AlvaKids app for children’s fashion was launched in November 2012, and in trials at New York department store Cookie’s Kids, 97 per cent of parents surveyed said they would “recommend others to use the app�, 90 per cent said they would be “more confident to shop for childrenswear without their children�, and 72 per cent said they would “share their children’s profiles with family and friends to enable them to buy the right sized clothes for their children�.

AlvaKids is available to consumers as a free download app from the Apple Store and as an online widget to major childrenswear high-street and online retail groups, with the Android version available in mid-December.

The widget will allow retailers and brands to create brand-specific sizing recommendations for consumers in-store and on their e-commerce websites.

The principle of AlvaKids is that parents build a simple body shape profile for each child by entering key data points in the AlvaKids mobile app, or through a retailer’s e-commerce website. The data is used by AlvaKids proprietary algorithm to create a personalised sizing recommendation for any of the brands contained in the database, although users will also be able to suggest new brands to add to the system. A key feature of the app is that once the child’s profile has been created, the personal data in the profile will grow automatically with the child, so accurate size recommendations can be accessed both now and in the future.

Now, Alvanon is including school uniform in its remit, following the company’s debut at this year’s Schoolwear Show held at Cranmore Park, Solihull, in October. Alvanon previewed one of its latest projects, AlvaKids for School Uniforms, which is the UK’s first dedicated garment sizing mobile phone and online application for school uniform.

Alvanon’s director of research and development, Jonathan Wang, heads the

company’s newest consumer mobile and e-commerce applications, including AlvaKids for School Uniforms, and was in attendance at the Schoolwear Show to present the application and gain direct feedback from those working in the schoolwear sector. “During the show we met over 200 schoolwear professionals,� says Wang. “The discussions we had with them significantly enhanced our understanding of this specialist sector, and confirmed that our AlvaKids product has a crucial role to play in delivering a better fit experience for schoolwear retailers, brands, parents and of course their children.�

Visitors to the Schoolwear Show were privy to live demonstrations of AlvaKids for School Uniforms throughout the show but, essentially, the application is designed to help consumers buy the right size school clothing for their children, either in-store or online via a mobile phone, computer or tablet. The process is simple – consumers obtain AlvaKids for School Uniforms as a free download app from the Apple Store, input their child’s – or children’s – birthday, height, weight and body shape into the app, which results in a recommendation for the “right size� garment to buy for that child. The application aims to save consumers time and enhance the schoolwear shopping experience by recommending the right size to buy from the UK’s most popular uniform names, with AlvaKids for School Uniforms being launched as an online widget to major schoolwear suppliers, later in the year. “The schoolwear retailers and suppliers, even the schools, understood the AlvaKids

concept and recognised that by offering the app or widget to their customers, they could reduce the time and frustration that so often accompanies a visit to the school uniform outfitters,� says Wang. “They also liked the idea that the fit aspects of the online widget would facilitate more accurate ordering and reordering, while also significantly reducing costly postal returns due to ill fit. The ‘look’ of the app was also popular, and the feedback was that it is a ‘simple’ and ‘engaging’ device to use.�

The pull for schoolwear retailers is the benefit from increased customer satisfaction and fewer garment returns due to ill-fitting items. Improved confidence for shoppers helps increase customer loyalty, leading to increased conversion sales, decreased product returns due to wrong sizing, as well as enhanced insights into consumers. “We are currently in ongoing talks with around 30 independent schoolwear retailers,� says Wang. “The first step will be for interested parties to test and pilot the AlvaKids app in their own unique retail service environments – and we are in those preliminary discussions now.�

In terms of how AlvaKids will evolve, it was always the intention of founder, and father of Jonathan, Dr Kenneth Wang that access to the correct fit should be ultimately controlled – and led – by the consumer. “AlvaKids is a consumer product, and our focus is to get as many consumers using the AlvaKids app and online widget as possible,� says Jonathan Wang. “The app is free to consumers from the Apple Store, and if retailers and brands also incorporate the online widget as part of the website experience, they will achieve better engagement with their customers. For our part, we will continually renew the list of schoolwear suppliers so users can access their fit across any brand.�

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REVOLUTIONISING THE AUTOMATED PAPER CARRIER www.dempson.co.uk 01622 727 027

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ď ƒď€€ď€›ď€&#x;  ď€&#x;ď€€ď ƒ

ď€˜ď€Śď€€ď €ď€?ď€?ď€€ď€‚ď€ąď€ľď€Ťď€‡ď€€ď€ˇď€ ď€ˇď€ƒ ď€ťď€şď€šď€ąď€Źď€­ď€€ď€˜ď€Śď€€ď €ď€‘ď€Œď€€ď€‚ď€ąď€ľď€Ťď€‡ď€€ď€ˇď€ ď€ˇď€ƒ ď€&#x;ď€–ď€¨ď€•ď€€ď€ ď€€ď€Ľď€°ď€­ď€€ď€¤ď€Ťď€°ď€śď€śď€łď€˝ď€­ď€Šď€¸ď€€ď€•ď€šď€šď€śď€Ťď€ąď€Šď€şď€ąď€śď€ľ ď€´ď€­ď€´ď€Şď€­ď€¸ď€šď€€ď€ąď€ľď€€ď€˜ď€Śď€€ď €ď€Šď€?ď€€ď€‚ď€ąď€ľď€Ťď€‡ď€€ď€ˇď€ ď€ˇď€ƒ ď€&#x;ď€–ď€¨ď€•ď€€ď€ ď€€ď€Ľď€°ď€­ď€€ď€¤ď€Ťď€°ď€śď€śď€łď€˝ď€­ď€Šď€¸ď€€ď€•ď€šď€šď€śď€Ťď€ąď€Šď€şď€ąď€śď€ľ ď€´ď€­ď€´ď€Şď€­ď€¸ď€šď€€ď€śď€ťď€şď€šď€ąď€Źď€­ď€€ď€˜ď€Śď€€ď €ď€?ď€ˆď€€ď€‚ď€ąď€ľď€Ťď€‡ď€€ď€ˇď€ ď€ˇď€ƒ

 ď€„ď€Œď€Œď€€ď€‚ď€ˆď€ƒď€‰ď€Œď€?ď€Œď€€ď€?ď€Œď€Žď€ˆď€Žď€‘ 

A: Alvanon 020 7792 5977 www.alvanon.com : Angel’s Face 01732 823700 www.angelsface.co.uk B: Bamboo Baby 07771 933045 www.bamboo-baby.com : Barbour 0800 009 988 www.barbour.com : Blue Max Banner 0845 230 0888 www.bluemaxbanner.co.uk : Bob & Blossom 01273 679497 www.bobandblossom.com : Bonnie Baby 01273 227779 www.bonniebaby.co.uk : The Bright Company www.thebrightcompanyonline.com C: Caribee 0131 554 5555 www.caribee-uk.com : Clockwork Soldier 0844 482 1775 www.clockworksoldier.co.uk : Craghoppers 0161 749 1300 www.craghoppers.com D: Daisy Roots 01604 880066 www.daisy-roots.com : David Luke 0161 272 7474 www.davidluke.com : Didriksons 01275 390451 www.didriksons.com : Djeco 01332 987097 www.djeco.com : Dot & Co 01274 592647 www.dotandco.co.uk E: Emile et Rose 01509 881300 www.emile-et-rose.co.uk F: Find My Kit www.findmykit.com : Frugi 01326 558462 www.frugiwholesale.com G: Grubbies 07909 017664 www.grubbies.co.uk H: Hunter 0131 240 3672 www.hunter-boot.com I: ISBJÖRN of Sweden 07733 301345 www.isbjornofsweden.com J: Jennie Maizels 01794 368006 www.jenniemaizels.com K: Kaloo www.kaloo.com : Karen Brost London Baby 020 8987 8313 www.karenbrost.com : Kissy Kissy 01442 248099 www.finestforbaby.co.uk : Kite 01202 733222 www.kite-kids.co.uk : Kitsch Kitchen 07968 145440 www.lemonsherbetagency.co.uk L: Label Lamb 07930 577605 www.labellamb.com : Lelli Kelly 0039 05834311 www.lellikelly.it M: Mayoral 01277 227427 www.mayoral.com : Minene 020 8458 7764 www.minene.co.uk : Mitty James 01442 289898 www.mittyjames.co.uk : Molo 07718 987756 www.molo-kids.com O: Onya 07791 835829 www.onyabags.co.uk P: Pigeon 01865 379230 www.pigeonorganics.com : Piupia 07508 879237 www.piupia.co.uk : Price & Buckland 0115 964 0827 www.price-buckland.co.uk R: Ricosta 0116 259 7427 www.ricosta.co.uk : Rowlinson 0161 477 7791 www.rowlinson-knitwear.com : Ruby Rockette 01525 237557 www.jumpcreations.com S: Scotch R’Belle 020 3137 3503 www.vida-kids.co.uk : Scotch Shrunk 020 3137 3503 www.vida-kids.co.uk : Stamptastic 020 8332 1728 www.stamptastic.co.uk : Sunproof 01460 258040 www.sunproof.co.uk T: The Black Rabbit 07866 467710 www.theblackrabbit.co.uk : The Bright Company www.thebrightcompanyonline.com : Toughees 01202 707461 www.newbrandslimited.co.uk : Tutto Piccolo 0034 965546899 www.tuttopiccolo.com V: Villervalla 020 8672 2391 www.impkids.co.uk W: William Turner & Son/Unicol 0161 480 8582 www.unicol-schoolwear.co.uk Z: Zoocchini www.zoocchini.com

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

          

Laura Turner: What’s the story behind Karen Brost London Baby?

Karen Brost: I’ve always been inspired, and somewhat enamoured, by kids’ clothing. I’m also a big kid at heart, so it proved to be a rather easy transition. It wasn’t until we had our first child, Coco, a bonafide miracle after seven rounds of gruelling IVF, that I was officially granted permission to fully fall down the rabbit hole of the kiddie world of retail. I wanted to come up with an alternative concept for a baby line and, more specifically, re-invent myself as an illustrator and textile designer versus the clothing designer who just made pretty new shapes each season. I had always enjoyed the illustration part of my womenswear job, but only found tiny amounts of time to do it.

LT: Your children are obviously a key source of inspiration.

KB: Yes, absolutely. Coco seems to gravitate towards both girly and boyish things. For example, being dressed as a fairy princess and playing with a fire engine – hence one of my a/w 14 groups is called Fairies and Fire Engines. It serves as the perfect catalyst for a group that appeals to boys and girls. I don’t find children are naturally gender-specific, but I must recognise that gift-givers, who comprise more than 50 per cent of sales in the baby market, are extremely sensitive about buying the “appropriate” image and colour.

LT: What does the debut collection comprise?

KB: Our first, exclusive launch collection for Liberty of London and Fred Segal Los Angeles is 10 limited-edition illustrations for both boys and girls on babygros. For this capsule delivery we’ve also introduced our timeless and classic style, the Ballet Tee, with all prints available on this style available in either short or long sleeve.

LT: What are your key considerations when designing childrenswear?

KB: One of the cornerstones of our brand is to create imagery that appeals not only to the child wearing it, but also the child within us.

Our aim is to create a slightly more sophisticated and imaginative look in our graphics. Of course, there are the other practical factors of making our product in the most ethical and safe fashion. All our screen prints are done using organic water-based inks. We source the finest combed and ring spun cotton, and our monogrammed poppers

are lead-free. We’ve also paid extra attention to details such as the swing tag, which doubles as the gift card.

LT: What is the brand mission?

KB: To create a “textile-driven” lifestyle brand to include several product extensions such as home, accessories, toys and educational books featuring our characters and signature graphics. We’re also planning to do a related Yummy Mummy range.

LT: What is your favourite design from the collection so far?

KB: That depends on which day you catch me.

My standard answer is always the Flamingo Royale, as it’s the most girlie, sophisticated and on-brand. But, I must admit, I’m rather partial to the Monkey Business or the Cheeky Ginger Giraffe design, which are just joyful.

LT: Which other childrenswear collections do you admire?

KB: I’m obsessed with Mini Rodini at the moment. It is one of the best examples of authenticity in design.

LT: Are there plans to expand the collection over time?

KB: Yes, for our international launch at Pitti Bimbo in January we’ll be introducing a full range of style options including Coco’s Cardie, Tee Wee and BabyGlow. As for the signature prints, we’ll be offering three a/w 14 deliveries of four bespoke prints per delivery.

I’m also keen, as a part of our long-term strategy, to include interesting bespoke collaborations with key international retailers – from Barneys to H&M if I’m given the chance.

I like the challenge of creating something unique for different customer tastes and incomes.

I’d also love the opportunity to design for children with special needs and dynamic charities.

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