Bubble's Best-Dressed

This season, the fashion show wasn't confined to Bubble's new-and-improved runway! We spotted some seriously stylish kids strutting their stuff at the July edition...

We loved Cornelia's metallic silver shoes, and Wilhelm's burgundy shorts. Extra points for the cool Beau LOves badges!

Candy-stripes? Check. Asymmetric prints? Check. Pastel-hues? Check. Baby Jed ticked all our style boxes in this Indikidual ensemble. 

Lily and Jasmine, striking a pose in our press office. We couldn't get enough of that neon satchel - not to mention the cute lemon-print jumpsuit (teamed with one of our Fabric Flavours bags, no less!)

And the award for Best Dressed Kids at Bubble goes to...Perseus and Odin, who were turning heads with their impeccable style. 

Should your little ones be on Bubble's best-dressed list? Let us know! 

Zoë's Place

If you came along to July's edition of Bubble London, you probably noticed these colourful collection buckets in and around the BDC. 

They belong to Zoë's Place Baby Hospice, which provides palliative, respite and end-of-life care for babies and infants with life-threatening or limiting conditions. 

The charity receives little government funding, relying instead on public support - and, thanks to your generosity, we raised £214.23 for its three hospices. 

Based in Coventry, Liverpool and Middlesbrough, these 'homes from home' are equipped with a range of special facilities - including multi-sensory rooms, hydrotherapy baths, and family suites. Your money will help them to continue their good work!

And the donations didn't end there. European Bubble brand, Tamiko, creates onesies, rompers, leggings and hats for premature babies and newborns in the NICU. When it heard about Zoë's Place, it decided to donate a box of clothing to the charity; founder and designer Berglind Baldursdottir even popped that fluffy penguin in for good measure!

Zoë's Place was delighted with the donations. Thank you to all the Bubble visitors who gave so generously - and a special thanks to Berglind and Tamiko!

Prince George's 1st Birthday: Perfect Gifts, Fit for the Little Prince

By Shoshana Kazab - Fuse Communications 

Prince George, the world's most photographed (and adorable!) baby, is reaching his first major milestone and turning the grand old age of one on July 22. We've put together a gallery of gift ideas which are fit for a little prince!

Britt

Britt, the Australian-designed and made baby & toddler accessories brand, is known for its plush faux fur bears, jackets and booties, and recently re-launched and showcased its new collection at Bubble. A special edition royal charity bear was presented to the Duchess of Cambridge during her recent tour of Australia & visit to the Bear Cottage Hospice in Sydney, complete with George's name embroidered on the bear's paw in gold silk thread! RRP $45 Australian. 

aden + anais

The Australian cotton muslin brand became a household name overnight, after the baby Prince was pictured leaving the hospital wrapped in their Jungle Jam print swaddle. Now that the Prince is a little older, we think he would love to snuggle up to one of their Jungle Jam musy mate loveys made using the brand's signature 100% cotton muslin £19.95 - or for something even more cosy, the elephant bamboo musy mate lovey in grey £24.95. 

My Little Day

You're never too young for a crown, and the Parisian party accessories brand's glitter crowns are perfect for the little Prince and his friends to celebrate his milestone in style! They come in packs of 8 and would be perfect for an intimate gathering with the 1 year old's besties. RRP £7.10. 

Patachou

The Portuguese baby & children’s brand has an adorable collection for AW14, and stand out pieces include the houndstooth padded coat which looks as if it's been designed especially for Prince George. The socially responsible brand has also launched the 'Spreading Smiles' project and has committed to donating an item of clothing to a child in need for every three purchases made by their customers. RRP £53. 

Vevian

Vevian's shoes are hand-made in London and come in a lined box, so are the perfect heirloom piece. The metallic George brogues are a must-have item for any young Prince's shopping list. The shoe box lid can also be personalised with George's full name and date of birth, making it even more special. Vevian shoes retail from £99. 

Pupe e Cavalieri

This beautiful Italian brand was one of Bubble's Rising Stars this season and we fell in love with their traditionally designed collection, with exceptional detailing. This chic ribbed pure cotton romper with striped top and silver blue pants would look simply adorable on Prince George - and the crisp peter pan collar, which is fast-coming a signature look for the young Prince, features mother of pearl buttons. RRP £58. 

The Little Tailor

British baby & toddler brand The Little Tailor is always one of Bubble's busiest stands, and it's easy to see why with its charming signature collection of cuddly knits and toys. We love their 100% cotton rocking chair print sweater with matching pants in grey. Prices RRP from £12 - £28.  

What would you buy the little prince for his first Birthday? We'd love to hear your ideas! 

Bubble London S/S 15 Round -Up

Thank you to all the fantastic brands and buyers who made Bubble London a great success this season. Here are some highlights from the show...

The talk of the show, our mini models brought the spirit of the catwalk to the BDC as Bubble Runway returned for its second season.

Attentions then turned to the crowning of this season's Rising Star, which saw Plumeti Rain triumph with its country inspired collection of beautiful girls dresses made from all natural fibers. Luluzulu and Abc123me were highly commended in the competition.

Elsewhere, nail art professionals Dinky Do Dah were on hand throughout the show to brighten up your fingertips with their amazing designs perfect for both little and large. Check out some of their creations on this video - our fave is the tiger print!

Bringing colour and style by the bucket-load to this season's show, The Loving Chair Company wowed visitors with its pop-art creations across the hall.

We hope you will all be able to join us again on 1 & 2 February 2015 for the A/W event. See you soon!

The Best of Bubble GUM

This season, Bubble GUM is brimming with exclusive and covetable product. If you're on the look-out for new brands worth boasting about, it's a real must-visit!

Sarah Elwick Knitwear specialises in stylish, contemporary accessories - including these eye-catching scarves. Featuring fashion-forward colour combinations and patterns, they're made from the highest quality Merrino wool. One to watch!

New brand Stephanie Leanne creates stylish and practical romper suits for babies aged 0 - 2. We love its super-cute prints - especially the Giraffe motif on this romper!

Pop over to Bubble GUM and see for yourself - there are scores of new brands waiting to be discovered!

Two days and counting....

Bubble London will welcome the children's industry's biggest and brightest brands to the BDC, Islington in just two days time and here's a taster of what else you can expect from this season's show.

Bubble Runway
After its inaugural show last season, our fashion parade returns bigger and better setting the scene for our mini models as they head down the runway at 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Sunday 13 July.

The most important meal of the day
Our headline media partner CWB magazine is on hand to make sure you start your day right with a complimentary breakfast. Claim your coffee and croissant between 9.30am and 11.00am from the Good Food café on the second level.

Competition time
We were delighted to announce ahead of the show that the winner of our first Boxpark collaboration competition was Beau LOves. Discover more about this unique opportunity and be sure to visit Beau Loves on stand D7.

Shining bright
We have a new contingent of Rising Stars this summer, as the competition dedicated to upping the profile of fledgling brands at the show is once again fiercely contested.

Sitting pretty
The Loving Chair Company provides the perfect statement throughout the show this season with its collection of quirky and creative furniture.

For a good cause
We are pleased to be supporting children’s charity Zöe’s Place once again this season. All donations will go towards the charity’s three hospices across the country that provide much-needed homes from home for infants with life-threatening or limiting conditions.

Look Who’s Talking
Renowned for its trend, business and retail insights, this season’s seminar programme once again promises invaluable inspiration and practical know-how.

Rule Britannia
Bubble is well-known as a hub for the best in British design and manufacture. Be sure to look out for the brands bearing the Homegrown seal of approval throughout the show as well as taking in our showcase of key pieces and products from a selection of our great British brands.

Media corner
Make the most of a host of discounted subscriptions and find the latest copies of the world’s leading trade and consumer titles in our Media Kiosk. Pick up your copy of CWB, Collezioni Baby 03, Collezioni Bambini, Kid’s Wear, Naif, Vogue Bambini, Luna, Mum, Mum Special, Baby London and Baby & Me from stand G44 on level 2. CWB magazine also has a stand on G49.

Just ASK
Join us in a toast to day one of the show from 6.00pm on Sunday at neighbouring bar and restaurant Ask Italian. Also enjoy a 20 per cent discount during the show on any meal bought at Ask when you present your Bubble badge.

Dinky Doo Dahs
Pampering for young and old, nail art professionals Dinky Doo Dahs will take up position on stand VA11 in Nest, providing free nail art creations for all Bubble visitors.

Bubble App
Download the Bubble App now and stay tuned to live events throughout the show. Available for download at the App store: Bubble London 2014.

Introducing the Bubble App

New this season we are proud to introduce our free Bubble London App.With so much to see at the show this season, the App is a must-use.

Download your ultimate planning tool before you get onsite and benefit from:

• Personal profile settings
• View all exhibitors
• Create a personalised schedule and set reminders
• Share posts and photos to the exclusive Bubble App network
• Link and share from your other social media platforms
• Interact with other users, and like posts and comment
• View tweets and news from the show

Download it in your app store today, search Bubble London 2014

Meet the Speakers...

If you've been to Bubble London before, you'll know that it isn't just about buying; each season, we also bring visitors a must-see programme of seminars, trend reports, and insights. This July, the line-up is particularly strong - and, whether you're looking to grow your business from the ground-up, master the art of visual merchandising, or even start a blog, our crack squad of speakers can help!

1. Peppe Orru - The Editor

A contributing editor for renowned Italian magazines, Collezioni Bambini and Collezioni 0/3 Baby, Peppe Orru has been attending Bubble since its inaugural event in 2008. This season, he'll introduce visitors to Spring/Summer 2015's most important trends, focusing on mood, inspiration, shapes, silhouettes, colours and fabrics. 

2. Ellie Kidson - The Visual Retail Specialist 

Both creative and commerically savvy, Metamorphosis' Ellie Kidson is an expert in retail training. In her seminar, 'Winning Windows', she'll reveal how you can take your window dressing and design skills to the next level. If you're keen to increase your pavement power, it's a real must-see!

3. Jim Jordan - The Business Coach

Top business coach, Jim Jordan, has been helping companies to improve their sales and profitability for over 30 years. After enjoying a successful career in retail (during which he worked for both Mulberry and Waterstones), Jim trained under some of the world's leading business thinkers. Today, he's a sought-after speaker, master business coach and master practitioner in NLP - but has still found time to share his insights with Bubble this season. 

4. Martin O'Toole - The Creative and Digital Marketing Expert

Martin O'Toole is the founder of renowned brand creative and digital collective, Fist of Fury (named after a Bruce Lee film, in case you're wondering!) Having worked in creative and digital marketing for over 20 years, he's more than qualified to discuss the industry's latest trends. This season, he'll be revealing how to tell your brand story on-line, get to grips with google, and make the most of content. 

5. Rachael Hobbs - The UK Manufacturing Expert

A Fashion Design graduate and former Product Developer, Rachael Hobbs founded Bridge and Stitch in 2012. She and her team support brands looking to have their clothing manufactured in the UK - and, earlier this year, she was named Business Women of the Year 2014 at the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce Awards. Don't miss her seminar on the importance of buying British! 

6. Suzanne Peters - The Blogger

Suzanne Peters is the fashion-fanatic behind Kid Style Junkie, where she posts about everything from children's clothing, to food, fun, interiors and her prodigious shopping habit. Having turned her passion into a successful blog, former retailer, Suzanne, is keen to help others do the same. Catch her funny and frank guide to 'blagging blogging' on Monday 14 (the Bubble and Speak team will be taking notes!) 

7. Ingrid Andic - The Trend Specialist

Stylesight Trend Specialist, Ingrid Andic, knows a thing or two about the prints, graphics, materials and colour palettes set to take Spring/Summer 2015 by storm. This July, she'll be introducing four adorable and actionable themes for the season ahead. 

Click here to see this season's seminar programme in full...

All American

It's Independence Day - and, in just over a week, these fantastic American brands will be crossing the pond to attend Bubble London! Happy fourth of July, guys. We can't wait to see you!

When Joyfolie's founder, Jessica, handmade a pair of booties for her then-baby daughter, she had no idea that she'd taken the first steps towards founding a popular children's footwear brand. Today, Joyfolie still specialises in exquisite, hand-crafted girl's shoes and boots - though it's broadened its offer to include pretty accessories and clothing, too. 

Lemon Loves Lime (the parent company of Lemon Loves Layette, Lemon Loves Lime, and the Gnu Brand) specialises in premium clothing for boys, girls and babies. Bright and whimsical, its designs are inspired by the happy times founder, Joy Cha, has shared with her own little one. Expect ruffles, bold graphics, and fashion-forward basics this season. 

While Snapper Rock began life in New Zealand, it also boasts a well-established US arm. The brand's stylish swimwear has a UPF rating of 50+, and protects children from harmful UV rays. Featuring citrus hues, marine prints and nautical stripes, its latest collection is as fun and fresh as ever. 

Oil and Water's new range marries practicality with high-end style. Its weather-ready girl's jackets, coats and ponchos are available in a range of colours - from pearly pink, to bright canary yellow. This season, it's all about chic detailing; think ruffles, piping and faux fur linings. 

And we couldn't wish you a happy Fourth of July without mentioning aden + anais! Founded in New York, this hugely popular brand is renowned for its multi-purpose muslin swaddles. 

Catch Joyfolie, Lemon Loves Lime, Snapper Rock, Oil and Water and aden + anais at Bubble, where they'll be showcasing their latest collections alongside a host of homegrown and international brands...

Happy Independence Day! 

Boxpark Loves Beau

This season, Bubble joined forces with Shoreditch-based pop-up mall, Boxpark, offering exhibitors the chance to win a week in one of its innovative 'box shops'.

The competition was fierce - but, after much deliberation, the Boxpark team chose Beau LOves as their winner! 

The homegrown label will showcase its latest collection in a 300 square-foot pop-up store, complete with lighting, shelving, WIFI and changing rooms.

Formerly shipping containers, Boxpark's units play host to an ever-changing lineup of must-see brands - and Beau LOves will be in good company when it opens its shop this September. 

The label has gone from strength-to-strength since debuting at Bubble four years ago, and wowed judges with its quirky, gender-neutral clothing and stylish bedding. 

Boxpark also chose two runners-up - organic childrenswear brand, Little Chook, and new exhibitor, Luluzulu, which will  be unveiling a collection of fun hats and baby tights at the show. 

Little Chook

Luluzulu

Bubble is set to mark Beau LOves' achievement with a special presentation on Sunday 13 July, following the final catwalk show. Pop along and see for yourself! 

Pretty as a Picture; Sarah Mason Photography

Here at Bubble and Speak, we're suckers for a pretty picture - and they don't come much lovelier than Sarah Mason's magical portraits. 

Photographer Sarah has been capturing children’s characters and personalities in her images for the past five years.  When she moved back to Yorkshire six years ago to set up her photography business, Sarah Mason Photography, she wanted to offer families an alternative to studio photographs. 

Sarah said, ‘I find that when kids are engaged in an activity, and enjoying something they are doing, they forget about me and my camera, and for me that’s when I capture the best shots.’

Sarah has taken this a step further with her Dream For Life shoots, when a child comes up with their own concept for the shoot.

‘We’ve had some amazing ideas for shoots,' she explained. 'We are planning one at the moment for a young boy who dreams of being a super hero and an explorer!’

Sarah also works with commercial clients, and is excited about expanding this area of her business. 

'We’ve always loved working with children, and this feels like a natural extension of our family portraiture,' she added. 

She has created commissioned images for brands and campaigns, including children’s bed company, Room To Grow, and Yorkshire-based Your Children’s Wardrobe.

And, this season, Sarah has a new commission; she'll be snapping pictures of Bubble London, as one of the show's on-site photographers. Look out for her on Monday July 14 - if you're lucky, you might just make it in to one of her shots!

www.sarahmasonphotography.co.uk

www.facebook.com/sarahmasonphotography