17 February,2009 06:45 AM IST | | Shweta Shiware
This week, focus on
>> Where to shop for tees that let you express yourself
>> Why designers are creatingu00a0kidswear
>> A surplus store at Khar that lets you buy Zara dress under a grand
Ritu started out designing exclusively for daughter Gia, and soon it turned into a business idea. "Gia would receive compliments for what she wore, and that's how Baby Beri was born. Children are fun to dress; they are very conscious of how they look, and clear about what they'd like to wear."
"One of the first Indian women designers to hold a ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris, Delhi-based Ritu Beri is also credited with being the first Asian designer to head a French fashion brand, Scherrer. But it's designing for kids that gives her the chance to "go to town" with creativity. The range is divided into Victorian Princess (day wear options including peasant dresses, skirts, tees and blouses), Rock Star Babes (funky denim jackets, waistcoats, jeans) and Bollywood Divas (evening wear frocks with decorative lace, chiffon and organza), and the proceeds from sales will be donated to the Blessed Heart Foundation. "I plan to launch one collection a year, and retail through my store in Delhi. It's an enterprise that has a great commercial viability, but I don't plan to turn it into a full-fledged business anytime soon," she says.u00a0
Industry estimates peg the kids apparel market in India at about Rs 27,000 crore. According to the India Apparel Report by Images F&R Research, which has been published in the just released Images Yearbook 2008, the kidswear market in India (includes uniforms) has seen a growth of 18.2% in the last two years
I adore children. I began by designing for my nieces and nephews, and eventually started supplying to stores.
Designing for kids is complicated since sizing is always tricky. There is a certain innocence and freedom that I experience, when I create clothes for them. I also make sure I use organic fabrics only.
My next collection will be available close to summer.
Fashion designer Saviojon Fernandes' last kidswear collection was a riot of summery colours, with frayed trimmings and crochet to indulge child-like inquisition.
Available at Zoya, a multi-designer boutique at Bandrau00a0u00a0
Parents wouldn't dress their kids in Dior, because they outgrow clothes. They look for a financially viable-cum-aesthetic option, like say ralph lauren. Kidswear is recession-proof in the sense that parents would cut corners so that the kids turn out great. But we, as designers, have to be price conscious, and focus on quality
Socialite Haseena Jethmalani's kidswear range, Babalog, was a sell-out, when she exhibited it at a SoBo boutique last year. She doesn't retail out of stores but plans to have two exhibitions this year. A top for a 4 year-old would cost Rs 900 while a ghagra for a 13 year-old will be priced at Rs 5,000
Apart from track pants and tees for everyday wear, there was a serious dearth of occasion wear. little was available in any fabric other than uncomfortable nylon
Designer Ritu Beri designs for kids through her label Baby Beri. Outfits priced between Rs 2,000 and Rs 8,000
Recessionista's guide to cheap & chic buys
We understand the need to look stylish, even in an economic slump. Our tip: Don't give up on brands. Shop at surplus outlets, instead. Eye Candy is a one year-old store that stocks international brands including TopShop, Miss Sixty, Zara, River Island, Bebe, Jean Paul Gaultier, Armani and Calvin Klein.
At Eye Candy, Khar Sheetal Apts, Dr Ambedkar Road, Bandra.
Call 26056254
Fashion takes a democratic oath
With the self-anointed sentinels of Indian culture clamping down on anything remotely out-of-the-box especially if it smells of "outside" influence, Inkfruit will find patrons even among the moral brigade. "It's India's first democratic product brand, and provides thousands of freelancers, design students and hobbyists a platform to showcase their work," says Kashyap, co-owner of the website.
What's it about: Headquartered in Mumbai, Inkfruit was launched in December 2007, and is a place where people to submit, discover and buy custom-made T-shirt designs
created by artists from around the world. Logging on to Inkfruit.com saves you a trip to a fashion store. It's
a one-stop destination to buy tees online, and to sumit and sell designs, if you are an established or an aspiring fashion designer.
You can be the judge:u00a0 It's you who makes all the choices, and we love that. If you think a tee is mind blowing, you can rate it. If there are few dozen others who think so too, the chosen designer makes it to the Inkfruit Hall of Fame.
We love: The website's non-clutter, easy-to-use format. Search by topic/theme (fun/humour, environment, sports/gaming, music, love/mushy, patriots/India).
