Season's Greetings

Baublicious

The Kids Company charity Christmas bauble auction has begun, featuring decorations created by Matthew Williamson and a number of artists, actors and designers including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sienna Miller.

The auction runs until Sunday with all proceeds donated to the London-based charity.

To bid for a bauble and for more details click here. 

All Hail Corby Tindersticks!

Hot off the Welsh screen-printing press is the all-new Corby Tindersticks road atlas. Young Tinderstickers can now partake in the joys of negotiating congested city traffic.

Corby creation Mr Blaze is sold with each atlas, along with five modes of transport: a hot air balloon, a Pendleton bike, a triple-decker bus, a black cab, and his clapped out first car that reaches a top speed of 17mph in just 30 seconds. 

Also new is the weather map of Japan, charmingly illustrated with aliens, sailboats and Corby himself.

Super Furry Animals

Bring a little animal magnetism to your store with the help of Bubble London’s latest signings.

1. Wild Things Funky Little Dresses – We can’t get enough of this new clothing label which puts the fun in funky.

2. Molo – This unique and urban childrenswear brand is designed with everyday durability and playful patterns in mind.  

3. Powell Craft – See the latest beautifully appliquéd cord dresses from British company Powell Craft.

4. Rockabye-Baby – Returning to Bubble with a roar, Rockabye-Baby presents kids fashion with attitude.

5. Love Frankie – Scandinavian-inspired homeware with a retro twist, all made on home turf in the UK.

6. Littlechook  –  A colourful, fun and quirky collection designed and hand printed in London.

For the latest news and signings for Bubble London go to bubblelondon.com

WIN! A three-night family stay with Kid & Coe In London

Brand new family vacation rental website Kid & Coe is offering a three-night stay in London for a family, to coincide with the next Bubble London show. 

The lucky winner will stay in Kid & Coe’s beautiful residence in Baker Street, Marylebone from Friday 24 January until Monday 27 January 2014.

For a chance to win, enter the code BUBBLE when you sign up to Kid & Coe. Join the Club! 

And to earn money from your property while you're away: Why not join Kid & Coe as a host? it's as easy as ABC.

Introducing Xenia Joost

By Jennifer Cattaui of Babesta

Having shown on runways from Moscow to Milan, Estonian fashion designer Xenia Joost is known for her high style women’s collections, but this season she tries her hand at kidswear. From our recent chat, it’s clear Joost is having fun in this new market and eager to make her mark in children’s fashion.

Why did you decide to bring your line from adult fashion into children's fashion?

Fashion is not a job for me, rather a lifestyle—and it’s not only for me, but for my family as well. In 2008, my first daughter Aleksandra was born (she quickly hopped on the fashion train too), and came to work with me, touched the fabrics, cut and crafted. We picked fabrics together and I sewed little dresses for her. My friends saw these designs and wanted the clothes for their children also! A whole collection grew from one dress.

Tell me about the materials – they are so soft and luxurious!

Because it is so important to me that my company produces as few clothing scraps as possible, I try to use the fabrics that are left from the women´s line for the children’s collection. Then I make one-of-a-kind pieces that match the women´s clothing with very luxurious fabrics: cashmere and silk, for example. At the same time I know how important comfort is and that the fabrics have to be easy to take care of. The childrenswear main line has a lot of elastine and materials that are easy to clean.

You're a mom of two girls– how do they influence your fashion? 

My family and children influence my clothing a lot. I wear my own creations because I want to understand better how my designs feel, if they are comfortable and how I can take care of them better. The same is true with childrenswear. My kids wear my designs and give me feedback so I know what to do better in the following collection.

Last year, after I made sketches of my Charlie collection, my daughter Aleksandra drew her own interpretation of Charlie Chaplin. I loved her picture so much that I put the design on a T-shirt as a print. That design ended up on Italian Elle’s website, and as a result I was invited to Milan Fashion Week

What three words or concepts are at the heart of Xenia Joost Kids?

Mother and daughter in harmony through style, comfort and fun.

What's up for next season? How are you planning to grow the line?

Currently I am creating my a/w 14-15 collection. I am always very excited when starting a new season. I have the mentality that the best collection is the collection I am starting work on. The theme and colours are in place, and I’m choosing the fabrics that support my ideas. I plan to grow the Xenia Joost brand into a lifestyle brand. Every season I do a bit more. From the next season on, I plan to add new products to the children´s line such as knits and more elastine clothing.

Who is Xenia Joost?

Xenia Joost is a dreamer, who is fond of the concept of a journey and the people she meets on the way to her dreams. I still play with dolls in my imaginary world and invite everyone to be a part of that.

The Bear & The Hare

We can’t get enough of this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad and we know we're not the only ones.

Created entirely in 2D stop animation, The Bear & The Hare harks back to the days where cartoon animation was key to story-telling, and is sure to delight kids and parents alike.

Click here to check out an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this masterpiece. 

Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens…

The skies may be grey but we’ve got plenty of favourite things at Bubble London to brighten your day and bring a little Winter warmth to your store. 

1. Cottonbaby – A handpicked selection from elegant girls’ dresses to colourful vintage kids’ lifestyle pieces.

2. Lilly et Louis – Cool luxury from Germany in the finest organic materials such as merino, cashmere and cotton. For boys and girls up to six years old.

3. Poppy – Poppy designer Bryony Richardson has combined her love of books and illustrations with her fabulous storybook dresses depicting the adventures of Poppy and her dog Fred.

4. Tutto Piccolo – Quality and style from Spanish childrenswear stalwart Tutto Piccolo.

The next edition of Bubble London takes places on 26 & 27 January 2014 at The Business Design Centre. 

Isabel Marant pour H&M

The wait is almost over! The Isabel Marant for H&M collection hits stores on Thursday.   

The French designer has put together an eclectic wardrobe of must-have pieces for mums, dads and teenagers. 

The bohemian and rock-n-roll influences will certainly appeal to the younger crowd, while the affordable prices will be appreciated by parents.  

They’re creepy and they’re kooky

Scare yourself silly with these homegrown spooky Halloween-inspired treats from Bubble London. 

 

1. Ilovegorgeous – The perfect Halloween collection for girls, pretty and practical for beating the chill this autumn.

2. Beau Loves – A unique unisex collection made and printed in Britain.

3. Cute Graffiti – Inspired by street art and graphic design, this British unisex collection is perfect for little rebels.

4. Wild Things Funky Little Dresses – Handmade with love in Britain, this fun new label for little girls debuts at Bubble London in January.

The next edition of Bubble London will take place on 26 & 27 January 2014. 

For your free ticket to the show, register online. 

Painted Pumpkins

By Jackie Beale from chi.qui.ti.tos, you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest.

Halloween is literally just around the corner and I couldn't be more excited to be back in the States to celebrate! Of all the holidays that we Americans go all out for, this is probably one of my favourites and one that I missed dearly living abroad. 

Don't get me wrong, the Brits are starting to catch on which makes me really happy... and I did notice glimpses of Halloween here and there, but trying to find pumpkins big enough to carve in the city was a struggle. And in case you've ever tried, carving a little pumpkin is a lot more effort than it's worth. So I decided to try an alternative, so you and your little ones can join in on the festivities too! What's my easy-peasy solution you may be wondering? 

With painted pumpkin of course! This is just one way of painting your mini pumpkins, but really the sky and your imaginations are the limit so go nuts!

Supplies: 

·    Mini pumpkins (white one's work best)

·    Circle stickers (experiment with other stickers too)

·    Kid's non-toxic paint (any color you wish)

·    Paint brush

Directions: 

•  Give the mini pumpkins a good rinse and let dry for a few hours.
• Making sure the pumpkins are really dry, start placing your stickers in whatever pattern you like. There's no wrong or right way!
• Make sure to press down the edges of the stickers good to avoid paint from getting under.
• Paint the pumpkin with it's first coat of color and let dry. Don't worry about painting over the stickers.
• Paint your second coat and let dry. Feel free to do more or less coats depending on how saturated you want your pumpkin to be.
• After the paint is all dry, carefully remove the stickers to reveal unpainted polka-dots and enjoy!

Happy Halloween! 

Young Soles London

One of the most exciting children's footwear brands around will make its debut at Bubble London on 26 & 27 January 2014. 

Young Soles London will showcase its Autumn/Winter 2014 range consisting of designs for both boys and girls, made from soft supple full grain leathers, suede and classic patents, using traditional methods and tooling.

Images by Flannery O'Kafka

Bedtime

We can’t get enough of the new bedding range from Beau LOves. Super soft cotton with bold graphic prints which will not look out of place in any design-conscious household.

If you’re anything like us, you will also appreciate that the entire collection is made and printed in the UK.

Don't miss Beau LOves at Bubble London on 26 & 27 January 2014.

Woo Waddler!

These new images from Waddler are a real breath of fresh air.

Living up to their motto of “fun and freedom”, the Autum/Winter 13 collection from the British brand was shot in Sajama, Bolivia and all the clothes are still made from 100% baby Alpaca.

The new collection is available online. 

When We Were Little

Born out of a desire to create beautiful, ethical and comfortable childrenswear with a story. When We Were Little celebrate mischief, good old -fashioned fun and childlike naughtiness. 

The first collection called 'The Savannah Stories' will be unveiled at Bubble London on 26 & 27 January 2014.

Like a Fairytale

Feast your eyes on these spectacular windows from Le Bon Marche created by Sofia Coppola.

The film director has lent her cinematic vision to the design of 10 fantasy windows at the iconic French department store. 

Giant hearts, neon balloons and cherry blossoms share the spotlight with a playful young deer until 26 October. 

Which one is your favourite?

Creative Family Home

Shop owner, designer and now published author, Ashlyn Gibson has unveiled her latest project entitled Creative Family Home.

The highly-anticipated book celebrates "modern family life, where children, from babies to teens, are given the freedom to express themselves and to develop their individuality within the context of an imaginative and creative family home."

Creative Family Home is available at Olive Loves Alfie.  

Images taken from Creative Family Home by Ashlyn Gibson, photography Rachel Whiting © Ryland Peters & Small rrp£19.99