KidsArcade

Image: www.mamasvib.com

Bubble and Speak are always on the lookout for exciting new projects - and, when we heard that friends of the show Franchesca Lee and Rachel Bisiker were launching a new pop-up shopping event, we couldn't wait to learn more!

Working alongside local independents, Kid'sArcade will bring a hand-picked selection of children's brands to towns and villages across the UK. Ahead of the first edition on 6th June, we've been catching up with co-founder Fran...

Fran, could you introduce yourself and Rachel? How long have you both been involved in the childrenswear industry?

I've been working in the childrenswear market for six years since the birth of my son Lucca, although I have been working in Fashion for nearer fifteen years. Rachel has come full circle; from starting out as a picture editor on Family titles (Family Life & Prima Baby) doing kids fashion & lifestyle shoots 15 years ago, to working on Glossy magazines like InStyle. Most recently she has been working on kids fashion for a local magazine.

Could you tell us, in a bit more detail, about why you decided to found KA?

Rachel and I both have a love of great design, especially when it comes to gorgeous kids clothing and products. For ages we have been talking about doing something together and she finally suggested a childrens lifestyle pop up, local to her in the Cotswolds. Having lived for years in Kensal Rise, she found that as soon as she moved outside of the M25 her choice was a bit more limited. For her friends who didn't work in the industry there were dozens of brands, designers and shops they hadn't even heard of, let alone bought from! 
                                                                                         
That got the ball rolling. We then both spoke to lots of other friends up and down the country, many whom had moved out of London to raise their families - and virtually all of them agreed. We realised that perhaps we had found our niche, and KidsArcade was born.

Which brands and companies will be participating in the first edition of KA – or is this still top-secret?

We're delighted that the following are showing with us...

Aravore London
Barbeline
Darcy and Eliza Vintage Hire
FG4 London
Five Boys Clothing
Four Fairies and a Prince
Karen Brost London
La Petite Lilly
Lilly and Sid
Little Knickerbockers
Marsh Pottery Painting Company
Milk & Biscuits
Miss Hall
Muna London
Olivier Baby
Papu Stories
Smalls
Sonya Hurtado Photography
Spotty Herberts
Superarts Model 
Tandem
The CamperVin Co.
Tipi
Tulipop
Raspberry Plum
Crafty Wrens
RE-BE 

You mentioned that you will be working with boutiques and shops, as well as brands – could you tell us a bit more about this?

We are very aware that having KA pop-up on a saturday in your local area could effect your business, so we are asking local independent retailers to showcase their collections with us in our platform to reach new audiences. We are also approaching online boutiques and shops to do the same - it makes the shopping experience 'real' again!

We know it's hard for the independents; they have huge overheads and can't always afford to take the risks on 'the new' as perhaps they once used to - so, as we're only a one day event, we're able to champion the start up who is only selling on Etsy as well as the more well known brands. We want to create a more collaborative environment; that is why we're also trying to connect with other local businesses in the area to tie in our creative workshops and F&B offer with our locality. We have model agency, Superarts, scouting, as well as CWB photographer Sonya Hurtado shooting in our Pop Up studio. Hopefully we're creating an event full of like-minded people who can support each other under our umbrella.

Why have you decided to hold the first edition of KA in the Cotswolds?

You have to start with what you know. Rachel lives in Great Barrington, the village in which we launch KA (Great Barrington Village Hall) - so we'll all spend the weekend at her house, eat porridge in the morning and go over with our kids and husbands in tow to set up on the morning of the 6th June. It's a family affair and we're encouraging our exhibitors to do the same. When you run your own business and juggle your family time is precious, so it's really nice to have the opportunity to combine the two!

Good luck, Rachel and Fran! We can't wait to hear more about the first edition of KidsArcade...