Ciao Bella

We're off to Florence for Pitti Bimbo...

See you next week!  

image via Design Sponge

Doing It For The Kids

We felt very privileged to attend Kids Company’s reception at Draper’s Hall last Thursday.

Thanks again for all your generous contributions at the latest edition of Bubble!

Providing practical, emotional and educational support to more than 17,000 children across London, Camila Batmanghelidjh and her team are an inspiration to us all.

Pure Babies and Children

This season, Bubble London is delighted to welcome Purebaby to the show.

Established in 2002, the Australian label offers unique, organic clothing for babies and children.

All products are designed and manufactured with love and respect for the world in which we live, the world where our children will grow and play.

Don't miss  Purebaby  on stand E13. 

sara.levy@purebaby.com.au
Tel: +44 (0)207 586 5993
Mob: +44 (0)7973 960 177

Win, Win!

Indikidual have just been crowned winner of the 2012 Stand Out competition.

Many thanks to our 4 judges: Bianca Wessel from Little Scandinavian, Suzanne Peters from Kids Style Junkie, Laura Turner from CWB Magazine and Jane Wiles from Notsobig.

Special mentions to Little Troll and Rock N Regal. 

Daddy and Me

Happy Father's Day to all the papas out there! We've been snapping some doting dads with their children around Bubble London today.

Ivica Mitevski from the shop Mila and Moo in Wimbourne with son Luca, who turns three in August. Sporting a Boys & Girls t-shirt, Frugi trousers and running around in Mayoral shoes.

Sid Hanif from Simply Stripes checks out Bubble London this Father's Day with Freya, age 7 and 3 1/2 year old twins Isla and Ada.

Craig Marshall from the Little Soles store, stop for a cookie break with Eden, age 8 and 6 year old son Archie.

Don Dowden and 4 year old daughter Julie make time for a Father's Day cuddle, taking a break from rocking those Crawlings!

Sneak Peek

Life is bubbling away here at the Business Design Centre, Islington as all our exhibitors gear up for showtime on Sunday and Monday for the s/s 2013 edition of Bubble London.

As always, Bubble and Speak bring you a sneak peek at what you can expect from this season's show, before we open up the doors tomorrow via our new Instagram

.... and what a show we have in store!

Bubble London bags by Frugi

Forwalls will be sticking around for s/s 2013

Little Trolls have the fashion scoop

Lemonade treats at the Frugi stand

Toby Tiger samples, ready to roar!

Custom made Bubble Homegrown boxes.....

......especially for delicious cookies from Eurphorium Bakery, Islington

Place your one lump (or two) on a Holly Palmer tea cup stool

or knitting fans can take a seat on a Melanie Porter chair on the plaza

Native Belle Boutique teddy bears are waiting to say hello 

So what are you waiting for?

See you tomorrow!

Registration is still open, or get your badge on arrival at the BDC

Behind The Scenes with Grubbies

Bubble Homegrown showcases labels that are designed and manufactured in the UK, with an exclusive installation to be unveiled at the show, highlighting the quality and style synonymous with British design and production.

One of the brands involved in the Homegrown initiative is Grubbies, showing exclusively at Bubble London for s/s 13.

Keeping their allegiance to Britain, Grubbies most recent summer shoot took place on the unglamorous, but much loved, beaches on the Essex Estuary coastline. We just love these behind the scenes shots for their four ‘models’ aged between 2 and 4 braving a strong April breeze and and having plenty of fun.

Grubbies is all about kids doing what kids have always done. With designs drawn from the team's own childhoods and local landscape rather than anything more aspirational. With dungarees that look like they could have been worn by children at any time in the last three or four decades - they always seem to appeal to children of the sixties, seventies and eighties like us!

Register now at at the entrance to the BDC for your free ticket to Bubble London this weekend.

Q & A with Julia Boggio

By Shoshana Kazab - Fuse Communications

I caught up with renowned family and fashion photographer, Julia Boggio, to chat about her work, baby, and photographing the Queen. Julia is the creative director at Julia Boggio Studios, regular columnist for Photo Professional magazine and will be running a pop-up studio on Monday at Bubble London.

Tell us a little bit about your background?

I grew up in New Jersey, but moved to the UK a couple years after graduating from University. Fourteen years later, I now live in Wimbledon with my lovely Welsh husband and baby daughter.

Before photography, what did you do?

I studied Marketing and Creative Writing at University and then worked for 8 years as an advertising copywriter. I retrained as a photographer in the year 2000 after falling in love with photography while travelling in South America.

What type of camera do you shoot with?

I shoot my lifestyle work with a Canon 5D Mark II and my commercial work on a Hasselblad.

What sort of photography do you offer at Julia Boggio Studios?

Our motto is 'portraits for the famous at heart', meaning that we create magazine-standard images that capture your inner shining star. We photograph newborns, babies, children, families, and pregnancy. We also do 16th birthday fashion shoots for teens, which are very popular. We are also internationally renowned for our Vintage BoudoirTM pin-up photography and people come to us from all over the world for our couple shoots in London.

What inspires you when photographing portraits?

I’m inspired by the person sitting for the portrait. When their friends and family look at the image, I want them to think, 'Oh! That’s so them.' With children and babies, I think the trick is to create a situation in which they can be themselves and enjoy being in front of the lens.

How would you describe your own style?

Fun, stylish and timeless.

You launched a baby blog last year – what made you start the blog?

I started my baby blog, http://www.icarriedawatermelon.co.uk/, for a number of reasons, but mostly to connect with other mothers out there. I’ve always enjoyed writing and wanted to get back to writing for fun. It’s also a great way to introduce our studio’s work to a new audience.

What are the different challenges in shooting a newborn versus a toddler?

Newborn photography is a very specialised area and should only be done by photographers like us who understand the gentle care required for handling a newborn. Toddlers and children need us to be more than a photographer; they also need us to be a playmate.

You've photographed both the Queen and Sir Richard Branson. What was that like?

Both were amazing experiences. It was a great honour to photograph the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour to Merton. My husband, James, also got to meet her and I think he wants to print a huge picture of him shaking her hand for our living room wall! As two-time winner of Entrepreneur of the Year in Merton, I am a big fan of Sir Richard Branson and have absorbed all of his books. It was a fast and hectic shoot, but I enjoyed it all the same.

I have to mention your Dirty Dancing wedding dance as it’s not very often I chat to a You Tube phenomenon. What was that like?

It was pretty awesome and unexpected. Little did I think when I was planning my film-themed wedding that I’d end up dancing on The Oprah Winfrey Show with Patrick Swayze because of our first dance. It all felt extremely surreal.

Julia Boggio Studios
Unit 5, The Apprentice Shop
Merton Abbey Mills
Merantun Way
Wimbledon
SW19 2RD


Website: http://www.juliaboggiostudios.com/

Blog: http://www.icarriedawatermelon.co.uk/


0207 042 9777
shine@juliaboggiostudios.com

Bubblin' Around

This weekend's Bubble London marks the start of the s/s 13 season with over 250 collections of the coolest children's fashion, footwear, accessories and interiors.


Can you afford to miss it?

1. Maximise the potential of your business with our free seminar programme covering everything from social media to stock & cash handling.
Click here for the full schedule.

2. Celebrate brands that are designed and manufactured in the UK with the launch of Bubble Homegrown.

Click here for the full list of Bubble Homegrown brands.

3. Take a break on Melanie Porter and Holly Palmer ’s unique designs filling the Bubble Plaza, before trying your hand at finger knitting with Pinkyknits.

4. See behind the scenes of a CWB fashion shoot orchestrated by stylist Fran Lee and photographer Jay Hunting.

On Monday, strike a pose for our guest photographer Julia Boggio who has most recently taken portraits of the Queen.

5. Treat yourself to a free breakfast from 9.30am -11am in the Travis Designs Breakfast Lounge. Simply take your voucher to The Good Food Café to pick up a coffee and a croissant.

Also keep an eye out for Euphorium Bakery's bespoke cookies dotted around the show.

6. Take advantage of the discounted subscription rates on all our partner publications at the Media Kiosk on stand G42.

7. Look out for the Bubble blog team capturing those special father and child moments in celebration of Father’s Day on Sunday. Keep an eye on the blog to  see if you've been spotted.

8. Congratulate the winner of our coveted Stand Out competition awarding the most unique and creative stand.

9. Grab one of our complimentary Bubble rickshaws and join us for a post-show drink at Browns from 6pm to 7pm on Sunday.

10. Continue to support London-based charity Kids Company which provides practical, emotional and educational support to vulnerable inner-city children by making a donation when picking up your complimentary show guide.

 

Register now or at the entrance of the show for your free ticket to Bubble London

Strike A Pose

Does your little one love being in front of the camera? If so, why not pass by Bubble London pop-up studio on Monday where the highly regarded children's photographer, Julia Boggio, will be snapping children and parents alike.

Having most recently taken portraits of The Queen during a visit to St Mark's Academy in Merton, this is an opportunity not to miss!

Please visit us tomorrow for an exclusive Q & A with Julia Boggio.

Tea Time

In addition to Melanie Porter's knitted furniture this June, you can also take a tea break on one of British furniture designer Holly Palmer's Tea Cup Stools.

Inspired by one of the most famous tea parties from children's literature, 'Alice in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll, the tea cups gain a new purpose as a piece of furniture Alice might have been able to use.

Whether you are teeny or life size, place your one lump (or two) on a Tea Cup Stool on the Bubble London Plaza, this weekend - 17 & 18 June, BDC Islington.

Cookie Treats

Just a few minutes walk from the Business Design Centre, Euphorium Bakery is our guilty pleasure.
Carrying the best of British baking, they use almost entirely seasonal, locally British-sourced ingredients, and authentic and organic products.

Sample some Euphorium Bakery’s delicious bespoke cookies distributed at Bubble London on 17 & 18 June.

79 Upper Street, N1 0NU
Tel: 020 7288 8788


202 Upper Street, N1 1RQ
Tel: 020 7704 6905
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7am – 10pm and Saturday & Sunday 8am – 10pm

Pop Stars

Get stuck in this weekend with Bubble GUM at Bubble London. With over 25 of the most glorious, unique and marvellous collections waiting to be discovered, Bubble GUM is a veritable selection of delectable delights.

Pictured: 1. Little Creative Factory 2. Corby Tindersticks 3. Tutu du Monde 4. Native Belle Boutique 5. Atticus & Gilda 6. Forwalls 7. Organic Babies 8. Little Troll 9. Monstres 10. Boolems 11. Moochic Baby

 Register now for free entry this weekend and discover the best childrenswear collections from the UK and the rest of the world.

Support The Kids

Bubble London is pleased to be supporting children’s charity Kids Company once again this summer.

Founded by Camila Batmanghelidjh in 1996, the London-based charity offers help by providing a safe, caring, family environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual.

Voluntary donations will be gratefully received at the entrance to the show with all proceeds helping to support vulnerable inner-city children and young people.

Green Goodies

Bubble London is excited to welcome back Green Baby and Green Kids at the show, as they unveil their spring/summer 2013 collection for boys and girls.

The organic, fair trade label for newborns and children up to age eight, are sure to put a summery spring into a step, toddle or crawl! With paisley prints, striking stripes and glorious gingham, the new collections promise to add a little luxury to lazy summer's days.

Green Baby will also be supplying their handmade, organic toiletries within the bathroom facilities at Bubble London 17 & 18 June at the BDC, Islington.

Sweet Dreams

When we launched Bubble London, Le Marchand D'Etoiles was one of the first brands on board.

Four years later, we're delighted to welcome back the French label with its gorgeous collection of nightwear and underwear.

Register now for your Bubble London ticket and discover the best kidswear collections from the UK and the rest of the world on 17 & 18 June.