Can you feel it? Spring has finally started and the weather is getting warmer...
We’re loving all the new spring collections that have started dropping and loved getting a look at printebebe’s beautiful new collection. We caught up with founder Fiona Kowalski to find out more about her new range… Photography Nick Scott | Go to www.printebebe.com
How do you approach styling your daughter Gidget?
As most mum’s with a five-year-old would attest, it gets harder to have control over what they wear. Ultimately easy fitting comfortable pieces are the core of her wardrobe. I try to keep colours tonal so that whatever she pulls out work together. I mix and match all her prints.
What’s her favourite thing to wear?
The Eva dress is her favourite because of the spin factor and hidden pockets.
Do you plan outfits the night before?
No, for me that would just be extra work, and a waste as she’s very determined on what she will wear. Sometimes I will give her a choice of two things and say, decide now or we stay home! I try to keep it seasonal in her cupboards so she doesn’t come out with a superfine lightweight sundress in the middle of winter.
Can you tell us about your new collection?
I really worked with a soft palette this spring, lots of soft lavenders, pretty blues, bittersweet pinks, beige, pale mint and greys. As we’ve grown, we’ve developed a lot more prints ourselves and that has been really rewarding. The new collection is a softer palette than we’ve done before and I just love it. We’ve also worked some beautiful striped linens and plain double violles which is new for us, to mix back and they are just beautiful.
What’s one item every little girl needs this spring?
I love our new holiday dungaree as it’s super cute from the bubs to the five-year-olds. Also a dress – every little girl needs a spinning dress for summer.
What inspires your designs?
Children always and ease for mums. Now my daughter is older I have to remember the struggles I had when she was smaller and the reason I started printebebe. We’ve recently been on holidays in Bali and I was reminded of covering sleeves and shoulders that has always been our core and very important to me in summer. Lightweight fabrics that keep the sun off during the day and also mosquitos at night while still be light enough and cool enough to wear in the heat. That has always been the core of printebebe – creating garments that are practical and perfect for our harsh sun.
What have been some highlights since you launched printebebe?
We have had some great moments with printebebe such as a pop up in Montauk with Aerin Lauder; making the cover of Australian Women’s Weekly; models such as Elyse Taylor, Robyn Lawley and Candice Lake have dressed their children in our pieces along with some amazing Insta mums’ kids. Recently we had Chrissy Teigen’s little daughter Luna wear our playsuit, which was pretty special. Also, we now have an office in Sydney’s Rose Bay that we open as a pop up shop once a month. I really enjoy meeting our customers and love seeing the little ones come in wearing printebebe!
What makes a great print?
A great print for me has a flow in colours that allows it to adapt to lots of other prints. Versatility is key when dressing children, a print has to work hard in your wardrobe. It’s such a small time they get to wear things, you want to be able to match it with lots of options.
What’s your approach to mixing and match prints?
I keep a similar tone that links them, I like having a mix up of everything together. I am not too precious of them exactly matching. I love when it’s a little off.