French Connection launches first babywear clothing collection

Parents who want to dress their babies in fashionable clothing may be pleased to hear that French Connection has announced its first ever babywear clothing range.

There’s a range of all-in-one and full-length bodysuits, tops, bottoms and hats, made in soft jersey and available in five sizes (0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months and 12-18 months).

Take a peek at the new collection here.

There’s no such thing as the average Joe Bloggs…

Size is a big issue for 21st Century boys

Female body shapes have long been the subject of analysis and debate, with women from all corners of the world comparing their figures to a pear, apple or string bean. Now, for the first time a boys clothing specialist aims to uncover the truth about the male physique.

Online retailer Joe Bloggs Clothing, is launching a pioneering study, that will delve into the unchartered territory of boys figures, the results of which promise to revolutionise sizing for boys aged 7-16 years old.

The iconic brand will survey 5,000 boys to discover the average height, waist and inside leg measurements for each age group, in a bid to reveal the shape of the 21st Century boys.

Joe Bloggs’ PR and Marketing Director Bushra Ahmed commented, “Joe Bloggs has been a successful boys brand for over 20 years, during that time fashion has changed as boys aged 7-16 years old have become more style conscious than ever before.

“We also know that body shapes have changed dramatically, there’s no such thing as the average Joe Bloggs anymore! As our campaign photograph demonstrates, 15 year-old boys come in all shapes and sizes, so therefore the way we size our clothes must reflect that.

“We will be the first clothing experts to survey this age group and get to the bottom of the sizing issue, making it easier for boys to buy clothes and look good.”

The Photograph

From left to right: Otis (6ft 2inches), Tim (5ft 7inches), Jordan (4ft 11inches) These three boys prove that there’s no such thing as the average Joe Bloggs, all aged 15-16, but very different in size!

The Survey

If you’re a boy aged 7-16 years old, or your son is, then you can take part in this national survey simply by logging onto joebloggsclothing.co.uk. Every boy that takes part will be entered into a free prize draw and could win one of the hundreds of Joe Bloggs prizes on offer.

Brighten up a dull winter with Aunty Ollie’s new kids collection

Aunty Ollie, the retro-inspired children’s fashion label, has unveiled its first winter collection, which will be available from www.auntyollie.com from September 2009. Like all Aunty Ollie clothes, the new collection features a gorgeous array of vivid prints not normally found on the high street, to brighten up the basics of a winter wardrobe.

The range will feature flannel, cotton and corduroy fabrics in classic, slightly nostalgic styles with a roomy cut to encourage freedom of movement when playing. Teamed up with basics like tights or polo tops, the Aunty Ollie pieces make a statement whether they’re worn around town, in the country with wellies or to birthday and Christmas parties.

For girls (aged 0–10), the range includes dresses, pinafores, coats, tops and skirts. Prints are grouped into themes:

• Geisha Girl featuring Japanese geishas, Chinese kids, Asian florals and birds, as well as spots in melanges of greens, blues, lilacs and pinks
• In the Orchard featuring cherries, apples, strawberries, spots and stripes in pink, red and black hues
• Animalia (The Cute) featuring tiny birds, deer, squirrels, spots and florals in a mix of greens, blues, purples, brown and pinks

For boys (aged 0 – 10), pieces include long sleeve shirts, cargo and lounge pants, hooded tops, coats and kaftan style tops. Print themes include:

• Old Salty Nautical with boats, anchors, fish, stripes and checks in navy, cream, and greens
• Transport with retro motorbikes, planes, cars, stripes and checks predominantly in blues and greens
• Animalia (The Not So Cute) with lizards, snakes, sharks, wild animals, dinosaurs, checks and stripes in shades of khaki, browns, blacks and greens.

“Winter can be dull and grey. We wanted to add a splash of colour and fun to the colder months,” explains Jodie Hampshire, founder of Aunty Ollie and mum of three. “I’ve purposefully created the range so that our statement pieces can be teamed up with existing wardrobe basics to create a variety of looks.

“We’ve also made a point of using a broad spectrum of colours for the girls so that they’re not shoehorned into pink, which most girls’ clothes seem to be these days. And little boys love colour and patterns just as much as girls, so we created a range for them that stands out from dull, monotone attire that is the norm,” she continues.

Prices start from around £16. All clothes are machine washable and made to withstand the rough and tumble of busy kids.

Glamourous breastfeeding with Pickle & Boo’s exclusive bracelets

Breastfeeding is wonderful and should be celebrated, but at the same time, new mums probably don’t want to advertise which side is next in line for baby. Neither should they have to remember – there’s enough else to think about with a new-born.

Enter Pickle & Boo’s exclusive breastfeeding bracelets, which not only subtly remind mums which breast is next, but add a touch of glamour too. Just what’s needed when a lot of other things involve sick, poo, and nappy changes.

These ten bracelets are made with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, and Pickle & Boo’s signature “This Side Next” engraved sterling silver heart tag.

Threaded onto a strong stretch cord to make it easy to switch the bracelet from wrist to wrist, they are generously strung (8.5 inches approx) to be worn slightly loose for comfort. The bracelets are elegant and discreet – chicly designed and genuinely functional – yet virtually unrecognisable as obvious ‘nursing jewellery’.

1. Smokey Sparkle: a sophisticated combination of sparkling smokey topaz Swarovski crystals and gleaming olive freshwater pearls
2. Light Sapphire: beautiful light sapphire blue and aquamarine Swarovski crystals, combined with pale blue Swarovski pearls
3. Black Diamond: understatedly glamorous combination of black diamond Swarovski crystals and silver grey freshwater pearls
4. Maybe Baby: palest blue and rose pink Swarovski pearls and crystals, entwined with sterling silver dazzle dust beads and heart charms
5. Glamour Puss: dazzlingly pretty peacock green freshwater stick pearls with topaz and palest green Swarovski crystals
6. Fabulous Fuschia: (pictured) bright fuschia Swarovski crystals, complimented by rose and ivory Swarovski pearls
7. Lovely Lavender: gorgeous lavender and tanzanite Swarovski crystals, accented with creamy Swarovski pearls
8. Linen Glow: a sophisticated and classic combination of ivory fresh water pearls, sparkling Swarovski crystals and sterling silver rondelles
9. Palest Jade: washed green Swarovski crystals and creamy Swarovski pearls
10. Vintage Rose: attractive vintage rose Swarovski crystals and pale pink Swarovski pearls

Joanne Pibworth, founder of Pickle & Boo said, “We know that breastfeeding a new baby can be very demanding both physically and mentally, so it’s easy to lose track of which side you fed from last. Our bracelets are designed to keep life simple for new mums – just switch the breastfeeding bracelet to your other wrist after each feed and you’ll never need to wrack your tired brain again!”

The bracelets are packaged in a shimmering lavender organza bag concealed within an ivory gift box complete with tissue, ribbons and an explanatory notelet, making them the perfect gift for a new mum.

Available from PickleAndBoo.co.uk

Stellina Baby Launch New Cashmere Clothes Range

Stellina Baby has quietly built a following for its luscious 100% cashmere baby clothes. From May it is extending its range to include clothes for children up to the age of 3. New cashmere dresses, tank tops and hoodies will be available online at www.stellinababy.com from 1st May helping you bring a little Italian style to your childÂ’s wardrobe this summer.

Named after traditional Italian sweets, the new items in the collection are:

Panna Cashmere Dress (£65) (pictured)

Round collared, short sleeve dress with an A-line skirt made from deliciously soft cashmere. ‘Panna’ means cream in Italian.

Mandorla Hooded Tank Tops (£55)

This cute sleeveless hoodie for boys or girls is available with Chocolate and Vanilla stripes and contrasting Kiwi edging. ‘Mandorla’ means almond in Italian.

Cremino Tank Tops (£50)

These simple Cremino tanktops for boys or girls are available in Biscuit, Vanilla and Celeste (blue) or Vanilla, Light Grey and Buttercup. Cremino is an Italian chocolate and means little cream in Italian.

The new garments add to Stellina Baby’s already comprehensive cashmere range which includes beautifully detailed baby gros, cardigans, jumpers, ballet wraps, hats, socks, blankets and gift sets in a variety of colours and designs. Prices start at £16.

Stellina Baby recommends that garments be hand washed. Careful washing can ensure that the item will last a lifetime.

All Stellina Baby deliveries come in a beautiful beribboned gift box at no extra cost, making the site an ideal destination for doting grandparents, parents or friends alike.

Stellina Baby is a family run business specialising in cashmere clothes for babies, toddlers and young children up to the age of three. Its range is stylish, practical and contemporary, and is updated each season. It specialises in clothing of 100% cashmere and an unusual cashmere variant with a cashmere outer and soft cotton inner, ideal for children and babies with sensitive skin or eczema. Stellina Baby was inspired by colourful memories of an Italian childhood combined with a love of style, fashion and great design. Visit www.stellinababy.com for further information.

Swarovski shows off celeb-designed denim jackets, supports World Orphan Week 1-7 Oct

In support of World Orphan Week (1st-7th October), Swarovksi has unveiled a collection of celebrity-designed denim jackets which will benefit SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity for orphaned and abandoned children.

Celebrities including Jessica Alba, Laila Ali, Eric Dane, Rebecca Gayheart, Angie Harmon, Finola Hughes, Stacy London, Reba McEntire, Katharine McPhee, Sara Ramirez, Jordin Sparks, Carrie Underwood and Vanessa Williams took part in this worthwhile endeavour.

Beginning September 25, each of the fashionable creations will be featured on eBay Giving Works and can be found at www.ebay.com/swarovski. The charity auction will end on October 5.

“By 2010 there will be more than 25 million orphaned and abandoned children around the world. SOS Children’s Villages and Swarovski believe in providing the vital care these children need to grow and flourish in their communities. During World Orphan Week, I hope everyone will take a minute to make a difference in the life of a child,” says Finola Hughes, General Hospital’s” Anna Devane and host of The Style Network’s popular makeover series “How Do I Look.”

Each of the jackets was designed using a combination of Swarovski brooches and iron-crystal transfers, ranging from a celestial theme from Reba McEntire to a floral theme from Carrie Underwood.

The partnership between SOS and Swarovski dates back to the founding of SOS in the Tyrol region of Austria (also home of Swarovski’s world manufacturing headquarters) in 1949. The company’s founder, Daniel Swarovski I, was a humanitarian who personally supported the charity and the crystal maker is happy to have continued the relationship through today.

TinyBigs launches in UK: keeping toddlers’ trousers up!

The trouble with toddlers’ falling trousers could be a thing of the past, thanks to the launch of TinyBigs in the UK.

Already a hit in the US after just a year, they’re a fashionable and comfortable clip and cotton-backed magnet that attaches to the trousers and top, thus solving the problem of gravitational trousers.

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