For whimsical pieces that showcase rich fabrications, gorgeous embellishments and bespoke prints, it is always difficult to go past We Are Kindred.
So when they launched their mini-me creations of adult-sized dresses – in the form of Kindred Kids – at last year’s MBFWA, it was a happy moment for mothers of girls with a similarly sweet aesthetic. This year, they again debuted Kindred Kids pieces as part of their Resort ’20 collection at Fashion Week, in sizes 2, 4 and 6.
We spoke to Lizzie and Georgie Renkert, co-founders of We Are Kindred about their line and their expansion into childrenswear.
View the full collection and shop We Are Kindred and Kindred Kids here.
What prompted the foray into children’s wear with Kindred Kids?
We both have little girls and our signature prints translate beautifully to dresses and rompers. It is something we saw a lot of demand for out there in the marketplace, we love to see our Kindred prints interpreted in new and exciting ways.
How much did your own little girls influence the design process? Did they have any say with samples, designs or fabrics?
Delilah is still a bit young, but Luella is 7 and she loved choosing her favourite fabrics from the collection so that she could wear it. She comes in to the studio during the school holidays and helps the design team and we love her input!
Kids are often drawn to comfortable, easy-wear pieces - how does the Kindred Kids line adapt to this?
Loose fitting cottons are a must for kids – they need to be able to move freely and play without feeling restricted.
You recently showed your new resort line at MBFWA - what influenced the new collection?
Our Resort ’20 collection is inspired by carefree summer days – the notion of wanderlust and escape that comes with the warmer weather. Travel was a big influence for us for the season, as we recall some of our favourite holiday destinations. The colour palette really reflects this – with cool sky blue and warm honey gold matched with crisp white.
What is the best thing about designing your own fashion range?
One of the most rewarding parts about having our brand is seeing all the women who wear it. We love seeing how our Kindreds mix and match the separates, and how they style the dresses. Our mantra has always been one of celebrating the everyday femininity and sensuality of women, and we like to think our designs embody this.
What is the most difficult part about designing your own fashion range in the current retail and financial climate?
Continuously being agile, and being able to move with the times and adapt with change whilst remaining true to your brand and your DNA. We always try to plan ahead (as much as we can) and look for opportunities to expand Kindred in to new markets whilst continuing to excite our existing customers.
What’s next for the We are Kindred brand?
We are very excited to open our first permanent retail store in a few months’ time, in Paddington. It has always been a dream of ours to have our own stores where we can really showcase our designs and our aesthetic for our customers. We’re also excited to expand further in to lifestyle as well as fashion, and have some exciting plans to develop our prints for different parts of your home.