June 10, 2017

KIDS LIKE IT HAUTE

Designer wear for kids is the latest buzzword in the fashion circuit, says Sushmita Biswas

Move over girlie bows and oh-so-pink dresses for girls and dull blue T-shirts for boys. No, we kid you not. Children’s fashion just got a huge leg up with fashion designers clearly pulling out all the stops to cater to today’s kids. As mothers become more conscious of what their kids should wear, can kids be left behind?

So whether it is Suri Cruise (daughter of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes) who looks all dolled up in skirts and dresses, the fashionable Beckham boys (David and Victoria Beckham’s kids) or Aaradhya Bachchan who shared the spotlight with her superstar mom Aishwarya Bachchan at the Cannes this year, star kids are always under the scanner for their sartorial choices.

Yes, kiddos — between two and 14 — can now tog up in designer wear just like their parents. Little girls can pick from brand new lines of comfortable day dresses, evening gowns for evenings, frilly tops and of course embellished churidar–kurtas and pretty lehengas teamed with halter-neck cholis for formal occasions.

Here’s looking at some of the latest designer wear, hot off the kittenwalks.

PAYAL SINGHAL

Designing for kids: She has collaborated with Pernia’s pop-up shop to launch her new line of kidswear titled ‘Mommy & Me’. Singhal’s USP lies in eclectic prints from floral to graphic. Expect trendy festive wear line of printed cotton kurtas, stylish lehenga cholis in quirky prints and frilly dresses in easy fabrics like soft cotton.

“The biggest challenge is to create a line of occasionwear which appeals not just to the mommies but to the kids themselves. I have used soft fabrics like cotton which is extremely comfortable for kids to wear,” she explains.

Must haves: Lehenga-cholis and cold shoulder floral crop tops with harem pants.

MASABA GUPTA

Designing for kids: Masaba Gupta has extended her signature fun prints of candies, chirping birds and cameras to her line of kidswear that is oh-so-adorable. Targetted at 2-9 year-olds her line consists of playsuits and rompers, frocks and jumpsuits. Gupta has collaborated with Kolkata based Magic Fairy for her kidswear line. She says, “For kids, you have to keep in mind what they would like or how they would see a fabric. Therefore comfort is key and quality has to be assured.”

“Spoil your daughter silly in bright candy colours,” she recommends.

Must haves: Suspender skirts with tops, cutesy frilly playsuit and dresses in candy hues.

ANEETH ARORA

Designing for kids: Arora’s ‘Chota Pero’ label has a line of cute dresses in light linen, chanderis, Jamdani, khadi checks and stripes handwoven in West Bengal. Arora who is known for her intricate details has used the signature Péro buttons, European lace and handmade crochet flowers used as hangings and tassels on the dresses and scarves.

Ethically sourced materials and local craftsmanship is her forte. She says, “The line for kids is effortless yet playful.”

Must haves: Girlie dresses teamed with striped pants.

JAYATI BOSE

Designing for kids: Celebrity stylist to Bollywood stars Jayati Bose is the brain behind ‘Chotto Golpo’ which has been inspired by her four-year-old daughter and her growing up days in Asansol in West Bengal. Bose mostly uses breathable fabrics like Jamdani weave on muslin, fine count khadi and handwoven cotton in creating classic silhouettes. Her label caters to infants till 6-year-olds.

“Our market is mostly overseas, so the biggest challenging in designing kidswear is to balance international and Indian aesthetics. For instance, while internationally Peter Pan collars in boys are preferred in India it is a big no-no with mommies. So while designing I have to keep all these smaller details in mind,” says Bose. The simple Bengali Jamdani weave adds an extra zing to her clothes.

Must haves: She strongly recommends cool floral embroidered shirts and high-waisted Bermuda shorts and overalls for boys. For girls’ opt for simple A-line dresses.

ARCHANA KOCHHAR

Designing for kids: Her capsule range called ‘Ahimsa’ is all about fusion of contemporary silhouettes in pastel colours like aqua, bubblegum – pink offset with beige.

The designer translates her signature aesthetic to create feminine clothes for little girls using detailing like 3D embroidery and gold cutouts.

Must haves: Go for off shoulder bow dresses, short dresses layered with sheer skirts, crop tops with flared skirts and dresses with uneven skirt layers.

So, just pick from styles and colours and pamper your little ones silly.