Dalston House

Argentine artist Leandro Erlich has been commissioned by the Barbican to create a not-to-be missed interactive installation on Ashwin Street in Dalston.

The detailed facade of a Victorian house lies on the ground with mirrors positioned overhead giving visitors the impression they are standing on, suspended from, or scaling the building vertically.

Dalston House is open to the public until 4 August.

Shiny Little Shop

This week sees the launch of a new online retailer dedicated to all things children. 

From stylish wardrobe essentials, design-led gifts to decorative room accessories, My Shiny Shop offers a curated cast of international brands and designers, almost all of whom, are exclusive to the UK.

Little Creative Factory 

Studio Skinky

Love Mae

Koeka 

Bonnie Doon 

My Shiny Shop

Happy Camper!

If we were lucky enough to be going to Glastonbury this year, here's what we'd be bringing: a FieldCandy tent. 

Offering the ultimate in durability and comfort, these designs are sure to inject colour, creativity and fun into any camping space. 

FieldCandy tents are all designed and manufactured in the UK.

Game, set and Aravore!

With Wimbledon in full swing, we thought our little ones should join in the fun with one of our favourite tennis-inspired ranges. 

Initially launched by Aravore for s/s 12, the collection features playful dresses, tank tops and polo neck tops in bold golden yellow and green.

Shop the collection online.

Punk: Chaos to Couture

By Jennifer Cattaui of Babesta

What I hadn't realised before visiting Punk: Chaos to Couture at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is that the spirit of punk is totally de rigueur in how we live our lives today and what I love about our kids fashion market. 

Punk, for all of its anti-establishment underpinnings (and safety pins), is about independence and personal style.

A movement that started in 1974 on the Bowery, and in parallel at 430 Kings Road in London, it is a tale of two cities that resulted in an explosion of self-expression. Taken together, the hallmarks of the movement include graffiti, paint splatter, destroyed, ripped and torn garments, copious amounts of hardware and “bricalage” or appropriating whatever’s in your environment - to your get up. Tees and jeans were decorated with everything from plastic trash bags, coins and buttons to soap bars, photos, paper plates and spoons. 

The exhibit takes you to the highs and the lows from Givenchy’s white grommeted jacket to Moschino’s trash-bag couture gown and is a must if you visit New York this summer.

Punk: Chaos to Couture at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art until 14 August. 

Spring/Summer 14 at Bubble

With over 250 collections offering the best in children’s apparel, accessories, gifts and lifestyle products, Bubble London cemented its reputation within the international show calendar, as buyers from across the globe once again flocked to the show to welcome in spring/summer 2014.

Brands such as Beau Loves, Frugi, Project Jelly, Sock Belts, Melissa, Rachel Riley, Indikidual and Name It all reported an increase in overseas opportunities, with buyers from emerging markets in particular taking an interest in this season’s show. 

As well as orders from across Europe, brands also forged commitments in countries such as Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Russia. Jess Reed, wholesale co-coordinator for Ilovegorgeous said: “Bubble is always a fixed date in our calendar. It is the only show where we know that we will see all of our existing contacts as well as new faces in one place, and so it is a really productive show for us.”

Bubble London also saw several newcomers to the show make a big impact this season. Over 80 brands attended for the first time.

Magaly Jacquard, UK sales manager for Spanish brand Castell said: “We chose Bubble to launch our children’s sandal range as it seemed like the perfect platform to break into the UK market and we have not been disappointed. Big retailers seem to love our product and we would not have been able to make such an impact without this show.”

The autumn/winter 2014 edition of Bubble London will be held on 26-27 January 2014 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

Behind the Lens

photo by Peter Tainsh

 

London-based photographer, Sonya Hurtado is famous for portraying children in often dreamy and surreal surroundings.

Her passion for photography and working with children has helped develop this unique style.

Her work has been featured in publications such as Babiekins, Chalk Magazine, La Petite Magazine and Teeny Weeny magazine to name but a few and you can see her work in the new Bubble London campaign.

Rising Stars

Milk and Rock was crowned the Rising Star of tomorrow at the spring/summer 13 edition of Bubble London. 

Judges Laura Turner from CWB Magazine, Molly-Meg, Cathy Olmedillas from Anorak Magazine, Nicola Eyre from Cissy Wears and Sarah Archard from Archie's Boutique unanimously agreed on the quality of branding and commerciality of the Portuguese brand's first collection.

Milk and Rock on the cover of the June/July issue of CWB Magazine

Milk and Rock will receive a 4m2 stand at the next exhibition on 26 & 27 January 2014.

Footwear labels Skribbies and Project Jelly were highly commended. 

Wonderful Donna

 

Immerse yourself into a world of woolly creatures, furnishings and accessories by Donna Wilson as you walk into Bubble London.

 

 

 

The new products on display include the pie chart patchwork blanket or rug and the giant turtle floor cushion.

 

Thanks Donna!

Daddy Dearest

Things are bubbling away at the BDC in Islington. While everyone explores spring/summer 2014 collections, we were on the look out for kids celebrating Father's Day today at Bubble London.

2 and a half year old Joseph, joins his baby brother Ben and Daddy Bryan from Freckled Frog, an e-tailer launching in September. All wearing their favourite pair of jeans.

Meet 6 months old Noah hanging out with his dad at the show. Wearing a striped T-shirt by his Portuguese mummy's brand Piupia, which plans to launch in August.

3 year old Amy, wears a bus motif Piccalilly t-shirt to spend the day with her lollipop and pop Mark, a buyer from Gorgeous Giggles in Princes Risborough. 

Dulcie, 16 and a half months old, holds on to her teddy and swaddle as she helps her daddy Ibrahim make new discoveries at the show. Planning to launch a store in Kent, they're on the look out for clothing for premature babies.

3 year old Riley, wears an Angel's Face headband as she looks the show with her 6 year old brother Dylan. Both helping dad and mum select new brands for web-store Pure and Innocent.

Florence, who will be 2 in two weeks, rocks a floral high street look as she spends time with her dad, from Attic childrenswear shop.

Gavin from web-store Gentle Baby Things is on the hunt at the show with his 15 month old daughter, Elodie. We love the Converse and frilly sock combination!

Happy Father's Day to all the doting daddies out there. With love from Bubble London.