Prior to becoming a mother to a darling little girl, childrenswear wasn’t an area I was particularly versed in, though it is something I am now pleasantly finding myself learning more about and realising there is a great scope available to us here in New Zealand, from well known retailers to smaller independent labels.
Organic Patti suit $49.95 from Nature Baby (left), Tree Run romper $59 from Le Edit (center) and Big Bear Little Bear romper $62 from Noah and Bowie (right).
A young baby’s skin is so delicate and there are a number of companies that recognise and cater to this by using certified organic fabrics. Perhaps the most renowned is Nature Baby who was founded on the ideals of producing children’s goods made from all natural and chemical free materials. From season to season they release a range of quirky custom designed prints for their clothing and bedding to go alongside a wide range of plain and striped basics, and for this upcoming summer we love their blue daisy print pictured below in a sweet little jumpsuit. Le Edit is a label that creates unisex designs with a minimalistic nod using organic cottons and merino, seen here is their ‘Tree Run’ print romper, designer Bianca Acke has also cleverly crafted a jumper in her range that must be checked out as it can be worn three ways-on its own, with a removable frill collar and a detachable pompom on the back (more for the girls that one, we think!). Noah and Bowie by designer Mandy Duncan was inspired and named after her children and her unisex pieces are always infused with a touch of cool, such as this charming ‘Big bear little bear’ bodysuit.
Merino wool pants $38 from Buck and Baa (left), Paisley Bay dress $69.99 from Dimples (center), and Lace dresses $49 from Jamie Kay (right).
Buck and Baa is produced both locally and offshore with a focus on ethically produced organic cotton and merino wool designs. Their merino pants are a best seller and are available in a number of colourways; here they are pictured in a beautiful shade of grey. Dimples is entirely New Zealand made and boasts a large collection of clothing and accessories from booties, bodysuits, cardigans, dresses, pants, pyjamas, tops, swimwear and more, and this summer sees the introduction of a pretty paisley design, modelled here in pink. Jamie Kay was once most known for their beautiful cot blankets, since expanding their range to include beautiful children’s wear, and in the few short seasons of doing so have created a cult-like fan base with their delightful designs and marketing campaigns. Pictured above on the right is their lace trim muslin dress in milk, golden, and rose smoke.
So frilled set $49 from Little Trelise (left), Frilly Dee Dee top $65 and Save the Tiers skirt $75 from Little Trelise (center), and Blue penguin leotard $79.90 and Flax snail skirt $99.90 from Carbon Soldier (right).
For those after a designer flair for their mini-me’s, Trelise Cooper has reintroduced children’s wear to her repertoire with Little Trelise, and the designs are exactly what you would expect from the designer – fun, colourful and bold. Our top picks are this pink frill set, adorably modelled and accessorised on the left and the very fashion forward yellow ensemble pictured in the centre. Carbon Solider work on focusing their stunning designs with the highest quality material and manufacturing, and have established themselves as a globally recognised children’s fashion label, you can see why in this design of theirs below, a grey leotard and organza skirt topped with oversized bows. Famed women’s wear designer Juliette Hogan also releases a few romper and bloomer pieces perfect for your little one in the same seasonal prints as in her mainline.
Images supplied.