If there is one question I got more than others it’s: “Where did you buy that?” So I thought I’d share some of my favourite shops with you.
These are the businesses where I spend my money and am proud to be a customer supporting indie designers and business owners. I am lucky that thanks to my online life I am now able to count many of them as friends and even clients. For me this is the icing on the cake to shopping indie. Not only do you know your money will be re-spent within the community in which it was spent to a greater degree than in chains but you also form relationships with people invested in their work.
In this first post I am sharing my favourite places to shop for children.
You may also see sidebar ads for some of the stores featured. To keep the ASA happy I want to point out that they do not pay for that space, I offer it freely to businesses I support.
{Image: Kat Molesworth for ParkLifeKids}
Shops For Children
Writing for Bambino Goodies gave me the excuse to obsess over clothing toys and products for children. I have my go to stores and designers many of whom I wrote about over the years. These are my absolute favourites, I hope you love them too x
Tootsa MacGinty: We have been wearing Tootsa since they launched their fun and distinctive unisex clothing. Their jumpers are incredibly soft and well wearing not to mention being the coolest around.
Sisters Guild: The sisters who run Sisters Guild Becca & Carla have exceptional taste and not only will you find gorgeous children’s clothing but also devine homewares.
ParkLifeKids: I first heard we had an indie children’s shoe shop opening in Winchester at a trade show. I have been a customer since the day they opened their doors to a shop packed not just with shoes but clothes, toys and games too. If you’re stumped for stocking fillers it’s worth checking out their site. I recently shot a couple of images for their Christmas ad campaign, the one above didn’t make the final cut but I thought you might like to have a peek, check out the site for the images they used!
Childs Farm: Childs Farm make baby & children’s wash products which are gentle and smell like a sweet shop. Having tried just about every product in this area I can say that theirs are the best and the only ones I buy for my children. Not only are they delicious to use but they are great for eczema prone skin.
JuicyTots: JT is where we go for PJs, leggings, swimwear and Scandi prints. If you have ever admired our Molo Rainbow coats then this is where they came from. Abi who runs it brings together such a great range of clothes it’s hard not to buy one of everything!
Anorak Magazine: It is so important to us that our children have access to a great range of artistic influences. Not only does Anorak’s ever-changing line up of artists tick that box but we are hooked on the content too. From the issues which are read and reread to The Big Book of Anorak we love it all. If you wish your children still had the Hartbeat Gallery then why not buy a subscription and submit their work to Anorak?
Wild Things Dresses: It’s not often that someone comes along with designs so original they have you kicking yourself that you didn’t create them. Wild Things Dresses are so playful yet simply designed that they make both superb everyday wear and party gear alike. Not only dresses but dungarees, ears and hats as well – you might even have seen the dragon jacket in the Not on the High Street ads. Milla is wearing the iconic fox dress in the image above.
The Kid Who: Since its launch this has been one of my go-to stores for fun gifts. They have homewares, toys, decoration, clothes and gifts. I love their style and you’ll always find something new & exciting.
Love it Love it Love it: Where to start with Love it? Ruth has created a haven for people who want to dress their children in comfortable, colourful and eco-conscious clothes.
Okido Magazine: This is the arts & science magazine for children from pre-schooler age and up. Beautifully designed and not pulling any punches – my favourite issue was the baby one which had a cut out sperm race in the back.
Jennie Maizels: Jennie has to be one of the most exciting author illustrators I know. Her pop up books are incredibly detailed and well-researched – a great way to discover and learn. Not only does Jennie write amazing books but also has a superb range of products from her cool iron on patches to notebooks, cards, gift wrap and crackers to name but a few.
The Pippa & Ike Show: Run by Lianne, who has had a long design career in her own right, The Pippa and Ike Show is a children’s lifestyle store. You’ll find art, homewares, stocking fillers, toys, clothing all with a colourful Scandi edit. My absolute favourite is the big stack of melamine tableware.
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Original article: Shop Indie: My Favourite Places to Shop for Children 2014
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