CLB ♥ Oyu Moyu cashmere

CLB had the pleasure of meeting designer Oyuna Tserendorj at the luxury kidswear show Plusher recently and checking out her inspiring new kids' range Oyu Moyu. Tserendorj, who already has a successful global cashmere line for adults, has turned her attentions to 0-8 year olds, inspired by her three-year-old son. It works perfectly – cashmere was originally only used for young children – and with her playful designs, some of them subtly educational (like the jumpers with one arm blue and one yellow to show together they make green) it makes perfect sense.  Each piece is accompanied by an exquisite illustrated story. From £12 for socks, £72 for a pullover at www.oyumoyu.com

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CLB ♥ Slugs and Snails tights for boys (and girls)

We can't get enough of Slugs and Snails' delightful printed tights for boys. Kathleen Redmond and her husband had the idea shortly after the birth of their son, Noah, now nearly five. Living on windy west coast of Ireland, they thought it was logical to dress him in cosy tights but could only find girls' styles. Slugs and Snails was soon born. A few years on, with another Redmond baby about to arrive, the bold and bright designs which include toad stalls, rainbows and spiders have proved a big hit with girls too. Look out for the equally collectible new winter styles which include squirrels, elephants and trucks. Can't wait to order some for my girls. Talk about the perfect stocking filler.

From £12 at burp!boutique, Funky Little Organics and Zebra Kids. Check the website for more details.

 

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Chic Mum: Chloe Brookman

Chloe in a Mara Hoffman bathing suit with her beautiful boys, Arlo and Tennyson

Chloe Brookman, 31, is the co-founder of luxury nursery outfitters Olli Ella. She runs the business with her sister Olivia and lives in Sydney with her husband and sons Tenunyson, four, and Arlo one-and-a-half.

Greatest style challenge since having kids? 

The battle between comfort and style.

How long do you allow yourself to get ready?

Four minutes if I am lucky.

Quick beauty tips and tricks? 

Once a month I put a blend of white vinegar (remove product build-up), rosemary oil (promotes growth), and coconut oil (moisture) in my hair and leave it in over night. It leaves my hair so soft and shiny.

You off-duty outfit? 

For when it's just you and the kids hanging out. If we are at home then it is without question my PJs! When we are out and about together I am usually in a pair of pencil jeans, a loose T-shirt and a pair of ankle boots or loafers.

Beauty product you could not live without? 

I make my own face moisturiser. I have been tweaking it for years - I would be lost without it! Also can not go without my Chanel lipstick - I rarely get the chance to put make-up on during the day but won't go out without a dab of Chanel on my lips. Oh and my Mason Pearson hairbrush.

 
Who is your hairdresser? 

When I am in London I go to Danny Oh in Islington.

Favourite designers? 

Alice + Olivia is my favourite designer label. For High Street it's Banana Republic.

Favourite kids' labels? 

Mini Rodini and Shampoodle.

Where do you hunt for fashion bargains? 

Ebay.

Favourite secret shop/website? 

Ah then it wouldn't be a secret ;).

Desert island fashion item? 

A white linen tunic.

Check out Olliella's range of stylish nursing chairs, baby and kids' bedding and playful room accessories at www.olliella.com

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Ruff and Huddle boyswear launches at Selfridges

Check out the Zakee Shariff-print sweat pants!

Not long ago James Suckling and Lucy Brice spotted a hole in the children's wear market – cool, contemporary boys' clothes with cheeky hints from dad's wardrobe. Cue the mini-me varsity jackets, parkas and logo tees that make up Ruff & Huddle's latest collection. The pair started the London-based label just last year selling T-shirts at Spitalifields Market. Since then they have enlisted the talented print designer Zakee Shariff to create whimsical star prints (above) and renowned tattooist Josh Shutterly to created embroidered patches. We are sure boys everywhere will love the label's rebellious streety vibe.

From £18-£65. at Selfridges www.selfridges.com

Flight jacket with tattoo-inspired embroidered patches

A two-tone hoody with red Indian print T-shirts

The London parka

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Little Hanbury - a new website for boys

Patch hoodie by ESP No1, £49

There are numerous great online fashion shops for little girls but hardly any dedicated purely to boys' style. Mum and creative thinker Sarah Elek spotted this gaping hole in the market and decided to fill it with a new website for tiny tykes (from 2-10 year olds). She has sourced a lovely selection of stylish pieces including Urbanears headphones, patterned Happy Socks (in super-cute tiny sizes) and fashion for mini hipsters by labels like Imps and Elfs and a CLB fave, Tootsa MacGinty. It's not all about just looking good though – Elek, mum to an active boy herself, knows that the items she's picked need to withstand the rough and tumble and multi-washes. At last, a one-stop shop for style-conscious boys (and their mums). Just add mud. www.littlehanbury.co.uk

Happy Socks, £10

Numbers watch by O Clock, £34.98

Plattan headphones by Urbanears, £50

Who Am I T-shirt by Imps and Elfs, £19.99

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CLB ♥ Seven Smooches recycled puppets

How charming are these handmade puppets by innovative Chicago-based label Seven Smooches? Each one is totally unique and environmentally friendly - they are all hand-crafted in recycled wool and cashmere. Can't think of a more original baby present. £28 at Molly Meg.

 

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Mr Men babygrows

Here's something happy for the weekend: Mr Men themed babygrows at branded T-shirt website Fabric Flavours. Wait for the smiles to roll in as you parade your bubba in one of these. £16, available in sizes 0-6, 6-12, 12-18 months.

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Little Duckling = delightful boys wear

Tank top, £35.50

Brown cord dungarees, £35.50

OK, it's true: CLB is guilty of covering mainly girls wear. So, an apology to those stylish mummies with boys. But - and it's a big but - in our defense there is not such a huge amount of fabulous clothing for little boys. The colour palette rarely veers much from grey, black or navy and the patterns are generally limited to stripes, lions and, oh, dinosaurs. So, when we spot the sweet and charming Little Duckling label on Sisters Guild, CLB's hearts a-fluttered. Quirky, individual with a cool 1970s geography teacher vibe, these clothes have heaps of personality. The little tank top with mis-matching pockets, the brown cords and checked shirts are just adorable (and in case you we wondering, they have equally lovely girls clothing). More brands should take their cue from Little Duckling and get more daring boys clothing. Mums and dads everywhere will surely approve... 

Knitted baby booties, £20.50

Animal print body, £19.95

Checked shirt, £29.75

Field print T-shirt, £19.95

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Stella McCartney Kids has landed!

CLB awoke at the crack of dawn to get to Stella McCartney's Bruton Street store to see the newly landed kids collection. And how thrilling it was to be one of the first to see the collection for real. Positioned towards the back of Stella's capacious shop in a designated area, large wooden deer painted in primary shades greet you. But it's the clothes I was really interested in. The quality seemed excellent; lovely textures and fabrics with a good finish. Predictably I loved the frocks (I'm going back to get the Ingrid dress at lunchtime) but I was also impressed by the boys clothes; delightful pea coats, cords and stripy knits. I also love that Stella has done unisex clothing in the form of cashmere baby grows, knits and of course those, those striking yellow Tammy wellies. Ms McCartney, who asked her children to help her design the collection, has done a very clever thing today: launched mini-me designer fashion that will appeal to the new generation of hip parents set on indulging their little ones.

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Paul Smith for littl'uns

Sir Paul Smith, one of our most beloved and successful designers has at last turned his attention to designing clothes for children and babies. Paul Smith Junior is inspired by his grown-up collections for men and women so you'll see classics like his multi-stripes translated on shirts and knits. Boyswear includes quirky floral shirts, sumptuous cashmere knits and khaki parkas while girls can choose from adorable fairisle cardigans, rose print silk dresses and woolen smocks. Mwah! Sizes from 6 months to age 14.
The collection will in store from Sept 2010. Stockists include Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Brown Thomas.  
 

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